TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1032, 18 November 1882, Page 2

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

At the usual monthly meeting of the Timaru Harbor Board held last Thursday, the Loan Question came up. * Two letters were received from Messrs Perry and Perry, giving opinions on certain questions submitted to them by a j Committee of the Board respecting various; matters. Messrs Perry and Perry under date October the poll of the ratepayers each ratepayer would be restricted to one vote only, the cumulative system not applying in this case. Under date November 10th thdy

gave an opinion on various questions. That the public meetings to consider the proposals to borrow must all be held on the same day, such day to be not more than ten days after the last publication of the notice which has been published by the Board. There cannot be more than one meeting in each riding or borough, and the chairman of each meeting must be a member of the Municipal or County Council, if willing to ; act and if possible the member for a riding of the county should be appointed to preside over the meeting in that riding ; that where it is possible to avoid it, a member for a riding who is also a member of the Harbor Board should not be appointed That the person appointed to preside at the public meeting in any borough or riding must also act as returning officer and take the poll at the election. That all the pollings must be taken on the same day, and us the presiding officers at the meetings are to take the polls, it would seem that there cannot be more than one polling place in each borough or riding. That the valuation roll of the Waihou riding (part of which is within and part without the Harbor district) must be used, but persons residing outside the Harbor District should not be allowed to vote. That the presiding officer should take the poll at one central polling place only in eacli riding or borough. This letter concluded as follows ;—‘ There are some other points of great difficulty and importance, respecting which we wish to consult Mr James Smith, of Dunedin, before finally advising, and as the Loan Act is exceedingly meagre and vague in its terras, even with regard te some of the points above advised on, we will mention these to him also. In the meantime you may safely act on this opinion.’ Mr Moody said ho did not see how the voting could be carried on in the case of the Levels riding at one place only. There were large numbers living near Timaru to be considered, also large numbers at the Point. The same objection was felt in the Mount Cook riding. Mr Barker ; Silence gives consent. If people do not vote we v.'ill take it that they aie in favor of the proposal. Mr Moody: But opponents maybe more energetic, and may turn up and veto the proposal. He was doubtful whether the loan could be floated at all under the present Act.

It w.as decided to wait for the result of Messrs' Perry and Perry’s consultation with Mr Smith before proceeding further. A letter having been received from Mr E. Smith offering to buy the steam tug Titan, the mayor suggested to sell her at the cost price of £4OOO, but on the motion ofMrTeschemaker, seconded by Mr Barker, it was resolved not to do so. The Engineer reported favorably on the progress that was being made in the construction of the breakwater. The Harbor Master reported that the lightering of the Gerd Heye was very expensive, and that it would not pay to get the tug to work unless there were several vessels at the outside anchorage leading and unloading together. Mr Moody : It is veiy gratifying that we can get vessels drawing 16ft inside. He moved, Mr Teschemaker seconded —‘That the Secretary be instructed to advise the shipping companies that the present facilities of the Board point to vessels not exceeding 16ft draught, which can be loaded and discharged under the shelter of the Breakwater. Larger vessels must in the meantime lie, in the outer roadstead, and it will be necessary in order to meet the extra haulage, to increase the rates fifty per cent over what is found necessary to charge inside the

Breakwater.’ The motion was carried. The meeting terminated after having transacted some business of minor importance.