Thames Harbor Board.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2801, 5 February 1878, Page 2

Thames Harbor Board.

A specialmeeting of the Thames Harbor Board was held in the Borough Council Office yesterday evening. There were present—Mr W. Paries (Chairman), Dr Kilgour (Mayor), Messrs Gibbons, Mennie, Spencer and Wilson. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. NECESSITY WOBKS. The Chairman said that the present meeting had been called in consequence of an understanding that it was to be called when he returned from Auckland. There was a good deal of business to come before the Board. In regard to the mission he might ; ay, that he.Jogether with the Mayor, waited on Sir George Grey, and though no direct promise was held out, it was in the position as stated in the papers—Tiz., there being so many other bodies applying for assistance thrt the Gorernment could not grant the money, but if they asked it as a right and made a statement of cost, etc., he (Sir George) would appoint a competent engineer to report on permanent harbor works. He did not think that the Premier would hare wished them to go to the expense of preparing estimates,, etc., if he did not want to assist them. He thought His Worship the Mayor could bear him out in that from Sir George.Grey's manner. The Mayor said that such had been the impression conveyed to his mind, and he considered the reply of the Premier was in accordance with the promise made the Board at the time of his visit here, when a deputation of the Board waited on him.

The Chairman suggested that they prepare estimates of the works required and forward them to the Government, as the Premier had desired. He referred to the works mos,t urgently required. The Mayor said that the question of tilting the harbor had always been considered with the reclaiming of the foreshore. All that needed to be done was to make a retaining wall, and the reclamation would go on by itself. Mr Mennie said that he thought that the works spoken of by the Chairman at last meeting were required immediately, and should be carried out at once, if possible.

Mr Gibbons said that he thought that it would be cheaper to dredge alongside the Goods Wharf than to carry it out IC3 feet further, which in a few years would become an item of heavy expense to maintain it.

The Chairman said that it was pot so much the depth of the water, but there was not sufficient accommodation with the present length. He thought the extension of the wharf would be the cheapest in the long run. The wharf would also require to be widened. Mr Spencer said that he considered that the dredging of a channel to Shortland would greatly relieve the Goods Wharf. It would not cost much to extend the Shortland Wharf, and it would afford excellent accommodation for small craft.

The Mayor said that whatever was dono at the Shortland Wharf would be a permanent work, as it would begirt the work of reclamation. At best the Goods Wharf was only a makeshift. When they came to the work of reclamation it would be one of serious expense, if not difficulty. Mr Gibbons said that if the tailings coming from the batteries were put in

the proper places llie reclamation would soon take place. He thought th<t the rougher stuff from the tips might be used to nml<c a rough sea wall, ana then the tailirif-3 would scon silt up. There was not another place in .New Zealand where it could be done so cheaply. The Chairman said that they could reclaim the foreshore at lery little cost in the way it was done in Holland and other flat countries. Piles should bo erected at a few yards distance from each other, and first one plank laid along the bottom of the piles. When the silt was on a level with this plank duolher could be added, and so on, and the harbor would be reclaimed at little cost and difficulty. Mr Mennie said thai he considered that tie Shortland Wharf should be extended double its present length, and it would rfford first class accommodation for the smaller craft.

Mr Gibbo »s referred to the heavy tax it was on a bulky article, such as timber, taking it to the Goods Wlr»rf by cartage. After some further discussion tho Chairman, Messrs Spencer, Gibbons and Mennie were appointed a committee to report on the matter to the Board, on the motion of Dr Kilgour. The matter then dropped. FINANCIAL.

The Chairman said that siuce last meeting they had received a telegram to the effect that vouchers for the Harbor Board money in the hands of the Goverument would be sent down at once. These vouchers had not yet come to hand, and, of course, they had to pay the salaries. There would' be no difficulty in getting a small overdraft from the Bank of JSew Zealand. It was agreed that this be done in the meantime, and that the salaries be paid. The Chairman said there had been some talk of altering the salaries of the Harbor staff. The Mayor asked what were the salaries of the Harbor staff. Mr Bean said the Harbor Master £ot £175; two boatmen, £176; collects.', £60; and lighthoure-kseper at Tareru, £108. After some discussion it was resolved to consider the matter at next meel?.ng f in the meantime the silting committee to consider the natter. PROPOSED ABOLITION CF TOLLS. Mr Gibbons referred to the nuisance of the penny toils of the Goods Wiarf, as they cost a lar^e percentage of their value to collect them. He thought that as soon as they were in a position to do so, the tolls should be abolished. He was in favor of cabs paying, as they wore out the wharf, but they could bo got at by licenses.

Mr Dean: They give us a profit of £2CO per annum. „ The matter then dropped. CTJBTIB' "WHABF.

A letter was read from Mr Curtis offering to hand over the Grahamstown Wharf when required. He asked permission to take up the iron rails—which belonged to him—and lay down wooden rails.

The Chairman said* that he thought that something ought to be done to protect the wharf by letting it to competent persons. At pre3ont it was being very much injured by bdys playing on the trucks. If looked; after it would last a long time yet. After some discussion it was resolved that the Chairman and Mr Spencer see Mr Curtis and make arrangements to purchase the iron rails on the wharf if a reasonable offer be made, and also take [ over the wharf. i TA.BA.BU LIGHTING. ' I The secretary laid on the table a large budget of correspondence concerning a complaint mi»de by Mr G. Bone, late light-house keeper at Tararu, concerning his dismissal from that position. This was referred to the committee to report on at next meeting. FIBEWOOD WHABF. The committee were also requested to see Mr Maxwell with regard to the tenure , of his firewood wharf. EOABDSEAL. Mr Dean produced the design for a seal ho had drawn, and it was resolved that Mr Dean hare the teal cut at a cost not to exceed £5. TAB ABU WHABF. The Chairman read a largely signed letter from residents at Tararu, asking that the Harbor Board, if they decided to remove Tararu wharf, to leave the inner portion as it was a great convenience to the district. The petition was received on the motion of Dr Xilgour. This was all the business.