TIMARU HARBOR BOARD

Temuka Leader, Issue 2453, 19 January 1893, Page 3

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD

The usual monthly meeting of the Timaru Harbor Board was held yesterday. Present —Messrs Acton (chairman), Stumbles, Flatman, Talbot, Teschemaker, Morris, Gibson, Wilson, and Manchester. COBKESPONDBNCE. Correspondence was read— From the Bank of New Zealand, dealing with finances. From the Agricultural Department, in re noxious weeds, and stating that steps would be taken to remedy the evil. The Bailway Commissioners would not allow ballast to be landed on the railway property. From Mr Armstrong, botanical gardens, Christchurch, asking specimens to be forwarded, and he would tell all about the weeds. From Captain Cook, barque Asterion, asking for a reduction in the cost of coming into harbor. He wanted a reduction of £l4, as he would have to pay it out of his own pocket.—The application was not entertained. From Mr J. M. Booke, of Newcastle, asking the rate of speed of the Mana.— It was decided to give all particulars. From Captains Sutter and Clarkson, certifying that Captain Balsom had passed an examination which showed that he was coihpetent to act as pilot for the board. —License was issued to Captain Bolsom as pilot.—A vote of thanks was passed to Captains Sutter and Clarkson, and a guinea each passed as their remuneration for having examined Captain Balsom. THE STANDING COMMITTEE. The Standing Committee reported to the effect that ballast be taken by the dredge out to sea, and that a charge of 25s per hour for such services should be made. “ The Committee recommended that in order to make provision for meeting the payments on account of the new dredging plant as they became due, the amounts to the credit of the following accounts on 31st December last, viz., General Account, £1839 2s 3d; Harbor Works, £73816s 6d; Harbor Works Loan 1886, £6062 Is lid; together with the p.s. hlaua’sj Reserve Fund, which on 12th IJVfarch next, will amount to about £3870 (making in all £12,510), be set aside and specially reserved. The Committee consider that the above amount of £12,510, with the amount already remitted, viz., £3500, will be sufficient to meet all claims.” Mr Flatman said that would leave the Mana uncovered by insurance.

The chairman said they would amt r«iuiie the money until April, 1894. Mr JFhitman : If the money is taken next March she will be uninsured until tlxe following March,. "The Chairman : You are quite right. I don’t see any necessity for allocating the funds just now.

Mr Gibson said the amount they would get by the sale of the Mana would be to the good. some further remarks Mr Gibson moved and Mr Morris seconded—“ That the amount to the credit of the following accounts, viz., General Account, £1839 2s 3d ; Harbor Works Loan 1886, £6062 Is lid; together with the Maua’s reserve fund of £3870 bo set aside for the dredging plant.”

1 Mr Flatman wanted to know how j they could carry on if all their money was voted away. The Chairman : Oh, money will be coming in. Tne whole of the price of the new dredge must be remitted within a month, with the exception of £ISOO or £2OOO. They were sending Home £6OOO by next Wednesday’s mail, as they found it the most economical way to send it at 90 days. Mr Flatman : Why not leave the new board to manage about taking over the insurance fund of the Mana ? The Chairman : The new board can rescind this resolution. We wont be here to do it. Mr Flatman : Is this money bearing interest during the 90 days ? The Chairman : No. Mr Flatman : Then we shall lose. The chairman said they had made the best arrangement they could, and the most economic way was to send it Home at 90 days sight. The motion was then put and carried, Messrs Flatman and Stumbles voting against it. NOXIOUS WEBBS. Mr Gibson moved, and Mr Wilson seconded—“ That the railway authorities bt informed that the board are prepared to deal with ship’s ballast by depositing it at sea by means of the dredge, simple ballast, such as stone and road metal, to be landed as usual; and that the standing committee’s report be adopted.” Mr Teschemaker objected to this, on the ground that it did not go far enough. They ought not allow any ballast from any “ infected port ” to be landed. The chairman said they could not prevent shipmasters from selling ballast, which local bodies would buy for road metal.

Mr Teschemaker wanted Parliament to take steps in the matter. The chairman said the matter had been reported to the Minister for Agriculture. Had Mr Teschemaker no confidence in him I Mr Teschemaker : Not much. The resoluton was then carried. RETURNS.

The secretary submitted a return showing that the trade of the place had fallen away by about 1000 tons, but their revenue was more, owing to having earned money in other ways. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £6504 5s 6d were passed for payment. The meeting then adjourned, the chairman saying this would be the last they would hold.