Thames Harbor Board.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2916, 20 June 1878, Page 2

Thames Harbor Board.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Board was held at the Council Chambers last evening. Present —Mr Davies (chairman), the Mayor, Messrs Spencer. Price, Wilson, Bagnall, and Mennie. MINUTES. . The minutes of the last, ordinary meeting and the special meeting .were read and confirmed. SIB JOHN COODE. The Chairman said that since last meeting Sir John Coode had visited the place, and the plans: of the temporary^ herbor improvements had been laid before him, and he said they would not interfere with his permanent works. ; The speaker then waited on the Premier, and reminded him of his promise re the temporary works. The Premier askfd him f/ write to him when he was at Wellington. Two letters had also been sent to him re the non handing over of the foreshore and the temporary works. , TAILINGS. . ' A letter was read from Henry Evans stating that 10s per week was too high a charge, for the right to remove tailings. A similar letter was also received frora^ P. Donovan. Mr Mennie moved that the charge be reduced to 5s per week. . Mr Wilson seconded,, and the motion was carried. ; LEAVE OF ABSENCE. A letter was received from Mr J. Gibbons asking leave of absence for one month from the 22nd May. Granted. THE FOBESHOBE GBANT; A letter dated' May 15th was read from the Secretary to the Premier, promising that the matter of the non-handing over of the foreshore would be attended to as soon as the Premier arrived in Wellington. A letter of a later date, also on the same subject, was read. It stated that that the Board's letter had been referred to the Minister of Lands. Received. HABBOE WOBKS. lA letter was received from the Premier stating tbal ho would consult ministers in charge of Marine and Public Works Departments concerning the Themes Harbor Works.' OBBTBTTCTED NAVIGATION. A letter was received from the Harbor Master covering a complaint from Mr G. Koulton concerning the obstruction of the navigation of the Hikutaia Creek by booms. The board decided that the matter was outside their jurisdiction. SIB JOHN COODE's INTEEIM , BEPOBT. "Auckland, May 20th, 1878.—Thames river and estuary : When making my inspec-'-'on of the Thrme» river and estuary 1 st

■week, the Harbor Board called my utlention Jo tbe following, as a matter requiring immediate attantion, and expressed a. desire that ray views thereon should bo communicated to the Government before leaving the colony. The proposals (ire : —l. A new timber jetty near To Kopu, 395 feet long, and extending out to 5 to 5J- feet water at low water, on the east bank of Die river. 2. An extension of the present,, wharf afc Sliortland 2CO feet in length, nnd in "the same lir.e aa the existingwhnrf. 3. An extension of the present Goods Wharf nt Graliamstown 150 foot in length, and in continuation of the present line. 4. The reinstatement of theTaruru jetty, raising the level of the deck four feet higher than in the original structure, nnd utilising the materials thereof as far as practicable. ■ 5. A reclamation of the foreshore between the Grahom'stpwii passenger wharf and the powder magazine by the construction o* a limber facing to trap tbe mining waste as it comeß down. 6. Repairs and renewals at lh3 Grahamstown Goods Wharf. Neither of these would interfere with the works which I shall have to suggest in my report on the gcner.il question when tho data ntb-'I for como to hand. I should remark that the amount stated at tha time of my inspection of the cost of the whole, of these works, five thousand pounds (£5000) does not appear to me, upon a general view, to be sufficient to cover their cost.—(Signed) John Cc ddb. The Hon. the Ooniiuhiiipner of Customs, WeFngton." BTOBACKE OF DTNAMITE. r -ndt letter was read from Mr James Bensha'V asking for a reduction in the prices charged by tbe Harbor Boa rd for the storage of dynamite. It was resolved that the j|»atvier of fixing a scale of charges for the. storage of dynamite be referred to the Chairman and Mr Wilson. COLLECTION OF TOLLS. The following legal opinion was received from Messrs Mac< onald and -Miller concerning the collection of wharfage dues : — "Is the Collector of Customs authorised to corect the wharfage dues for landing goods, &c, on the Grahatmtown Goods Wharf, and if so cm he de' in the vessel's clearance until such dues are paid. Messrs Macdonald j and Miller are respectfully requested to furnish me with th«v Ljgat opinion .on the above question for llie guidanre of the Harbor .Board.-W. DavxhS.—Chairman Thames Harbour Board."—"The opini n BBked in the annexed memo, whether intended so or not, involves the , questions:—l Are wharfage dues leviable ? (2) If so, by whom ? and (3) if so, to whom payable? (4) If payable, is ship's clearance detainable in default of paymsit? My opir.ions on the several quest ions aro given below, I assuming that by " wharfage dues " is raepi.t the fee for putting goods on f:> the wharf from the ship as distinguished from any charge for the ship moorfng to the"wharf: (1) I think such dues are payable (2) by tlib cousignt •> (3) to the Harbor -Board by the band of 'the.collector appointed by them, and not by the Colic ctor of Customs, unless he bo authotised by the Board, (4) Not detainable.—J. E. MAODOSATD. Considerable discussion on the collection of the Wharfage Dues ensued. The Chairman informed the Board that Mr Ferguson, agent for tiie Botomah&na and Eotoiti, bad agreed to collect the Wharfage for the two boats he was agent for! By this system every penny could be collected in a very simple manner. It was resolved that the Chairman be empowered to make the best terms for collect'ig the Wharfage Dues. MB BOWE'S CLAIM. The Chairman said he. had seen Mr Bowe concerning his claim, but the proposed straightening of the Karaka crrjk would prevent any arrangements being made. The matter was allowed to stand over. LIGHTING OF THE GOOD 3 "WHABF. Tbe Chairman said He had had an estimate prepared of the cost of laying on gas pipes and four lamp posts, which would cost under £1C). He referred to the urgency of the work, and said- that the gas would be connected with the lamps at present at the end of the wharf. Mr Mennie moved that tenders at once be called for lighting the Goods Wharf, j This was seconded and carried r lanimously. FOBESHOBE ALLOTMENTS. Letters were received fiom Messrs Climo and Perry applying for half acre sections on the foieshore. It was resolved that the applications be granted, the applicants to pay a rent of £25 per annum.

This was all the business.