HARBOUR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8005, 16 December 1905, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD.

At the usual monthly meeting of the Board on Friday there were present: Messrs J. 13. Connett (ehiirmitn), N. King, G. McLean, J. Thomson, R. W. Hornby, H. Price,- J. Ward, J. Hine, 15. Maxwell. A letter was read from Mr G. H. Stubbs, Waitara, tendering an oxpl illation of the maimer in which much small coal was found iii a track supplied to the Moturoa Freezing Works : —" When a' steamer discharges there is always a fair amount of small coal in the (square of the hatch, and in digging down this would be discharged into the first truck. It is evident that this was the one handed over to the Freezing Company. If you Irul sent the Freezing Company one of the other trucks there would not have been any complaint, for, taking the cargo as a whole, it was n splendid sample of household coal." The Minister of Marine wrote acknowledging .-eceipt of by-law increasing the berthage charge on passengers from Is to 2s per head; and also pointing out the desirability of revoking the old by-law before making a new one.

A letter was received from Messrs Wilson and Co., Auckland, asking a trial of their cement. —No action taken.

The New Plymouth agents of the Union S.S. Company and Northern S.S. Company.wrote as follows:—"It has been decided by our companies to absorb the increased toll in our passenger fares as from the 11th inst. We desire to point out the almost total absence of conveniences for the transhipping of passengers at the wharf, and trust' Hist with the increased revenue you will be able to provide considerably more light than at present. A little labour expended in placing steps for passengers, especially ladies and invalids, to dismount from the train and to assist them along with their luggage, would go far to popularise the port."

On the motion of Messrs Maxwell and Conuett, it was decided to provide four new electric lights, as recommended by the harbourmaster. Mr Price moved, and Mr Thomson seconded, that the chairman and Mr King be a committee to interview the stationinaster in connection with the complaints of shipping companies re providing steps for passengers alighting from the train. —Curried. Mr W. Freeman, Wellington, wrote that he would he in New Plymouth shortly, and would arrange about building on lot Mount Eliot Reserve. Messrs Chance Bros., Birmingham, in answer to complaints re breaking mantles in new port light, recommended keeping them perfectly dry: they also enclosed ten new mantles for trial.

The secretary reported bank balances to date: —General account, dr., £6ool lis 5d ; trust account, cr., llis lid. With reference to the resolution passed at the meeting on November 17th re the Borough Council and the foreshore, it was resolved that it is the intention of the Board that the free use of stone is for protective purposes only, and that the Council be informed of this intention.

Accounts were passed for payment, and the Board rose.