TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1535, 22 July 1886, Page 3

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Harbor Board was held yesterday. Present— Messrs W. Moody (Chairman). J. Wilson, W. M. Sims, E. Acton, J. Kelland, K. F. Gray, A. Hayes, and M. Jonas. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman said that the receipts since the last meeting amounted in the gross to £692 5# 6d. Ihe statistics of the half year had been prepared and he was glad to say that there had been a considerable increase. The decision of the Board appointed to enquire into the wreck of the Lyttelton had not been very favorable to the Harbor Board, and as be heard a rumor to the effect that legal proceedings were to be taken against the Board he had taken the precaution to engage the services of feir Robert Stout in the event of it proving true.—Tbe Chairman’s action was approved, Messrs Jones and Palliser and Mr Crigie wrote disclaiming any liability on account of the Lyttelton.

After considering a letter from the Wellington Harbor Board re the action of the Government with regard le certain of their Reserves, the Board decided to communicate with the member for the district on the subject. Mr Sutter wrote covering a copy of the Harbors Act Amendment Bill now before the Upper House, and after conwas agreed on the motion of Mr Gray, seconded by Mr Sims—“ That the Board suggest that in addition to the clause empowering the use of tugs, charges for its use should be authorised for general purposes, and for removing any vessel to suit the convenience and safety of the port ; also that section 8 of clause 12 should not limit the expenditure especially to particular items, but allow Boards to use the funds in accordance with the general purposes laid down in the Act of 1877 and amendments, and also provision to be made for charging dues on goods landed and shipped by Government.” Mr K. Ramsay wrote, complaining of certain fees charged when his vessels, the Invercargill and Kakanui, came into port, and bis letter was referred to to the Standing Committee. The Minister of Public Works wrote, declining to refund the amount they had expended in repairs to the George street sewer.

A letter was read from Mr A. R, Spalding, complaining that the slope of the fenders of the pier was too great, and was referred to the Engineer, The Chairman read some correspondence from the Colonial Secretary's office in regard to the petition sent to Wellington from the Timaru Borough Council, asking that they should have the control tif land belonging to the Harbor Board, It was stated that this petition would bo granted on August 12th were no good reasons shown against it,—Members generally were averse to the petition, and it was reeolved—“ That in reference to the petition sent by the Mayor and Councillors of Timaru to include the Harbor Board’s property in the borough boundaries, the Board strongly objects to such inclusion, as being detrimental to the interests of the port, and further 11)at the matter is premature, as the Board possesses very little land at present.”—ihe Committee was directed to take farther steps in the matter.

Messrs McEwan and Co,, London, wrote, acknowledging the receipt of the orders of the Board and promising that they would have the firm’s best attention. The Railway Department wrote agreeing to take charge of the traffic on the Moody Wharf. Mr James Davidson, Dunedin, wrote re the repairs to the Progress. He said that the cost had been £BSO. Several letters were read on tho subject of the repairs, and it was resolved—*' That the Timaru Board regret that any misunderstanding has occurred with the Oamaru Board in regard to the repairs to the dredge, and do not see the necessity of following the subject further.” The Standing Committee recommended that the Board’s charge of £8 for speeial services rendered by the tug Titan to the Annie Bow be reduced to £4, and that the account for advertising for tenders for the lease of a mill site at the foot of the Moody Wharf be sent to Mr James Bruce, who was the only tenderer.