WAITARA HARBOR BOARD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 244, 15 April 1912, Page 6

WAITARA HARBOR BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Waitara Harbor Board was held at Waitara on Friday night, when there were presentMessrs. W. P. Jenkins (chairman), W. Birdling, It. T. Hicks(, W. Jennings, Smith, Jas. Ifine and Rattenbury. TIHE WOOL SHE'D. Mr. C. V. Houghton, manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company, wrote applying for the renewal of the lease of the wool store for a further three or five years. He also asked what additional rent was required for the extra ! space now placed at their disposal. They proposed erecting an additional press of an up-to-date type, and would like the reply as soon as possible.

The chairman said that this-was an important question, and one that sltould not be decided that night. There was no immediate hurry, as the lease had yet 18 months to run. He suggested thai a sub-committee should be set up to report at next meeting. Mr. Jtnnings said that there was no question that with the progress of the district extra wool-shed accommodation would be required ere long. As there was no immediate hurry, he agreed with the suggestion. It was resolved to invite Mr. Houghton to meet a committee set up by the Board with a view to discussing the matters referred to. The chairman, i Messrs. Birdling and P'ttenbury, were : appointed the sub-corn ttee. A CLATM ACKNOWLEDGED.

Messrs Hatrick and Co. forwarded a debit note for £7 14s dB, representing cartage on 20G loads of merchandise at 9d per load. This, they explained, owing to the block to the fairway to their siding, had to be carted to the railway shed. They would not agree that this was a matter for the Railway Department, as suggested 'by the Board's solicitors, and they therefore asked the Board to take a reasonable and fairminded view of the matter.

The chairman pointed out that the Board were Jiot legally responsible. They charged no rent for the siding, which belonged to the Railway Department. It was through no fault of the Board that Messrs. Hatrick and Co. had to cart

the merchandise, the block being due to repairs necessitated by the subsidence of the wharf. Had these repairs not been undertaken, Messrs. Hatrick and Co. could not have used the siding, as the Railway Department would not have allowed the trucks there. Mr. Jennings thought that this was a case in which the Board should exercise consideration, as there was no doubt that Messrs. Hatrick and Co. had been put to much inconvenience and loss, though through no fault of the Board. Pie therefore moved that Messrs. Hatrick and Co. be paid the amount without prejudice. "Mr. Hine, in seconding the motion, considered: that Messrs. Hatrick and Co. had a moral claim, if not a legal one. This was carried unanimously. GENERAL.

The secretary of the Patea Harbor Board wrote, asking for information as to the rate of wages paid by the Board. He pointed out that a further demand had been made by the waterside workers for an increase in wages, and the Patea Harbor ißoard had no desire to conflict with other ports.—The information had been supplied. The Commissioner of Crown Lands applied for a copy of the Board's annual report for the year ending March 31. 1912.

The Mokau Harbor Board wrote, asking for a copy of the Board's by-laws.<-Already sent.

A «üb-com<mittee, consisting of the chairman, Messrs. Rattenbury, Hine and Birdling, were appointed to go into the question of tenants in arrears with rejit.

Mr. G. H. Miliar, who has been acting as foreman, was permanently appointed to the position of shed foreman at a salary of £ll 10s per month.