Thames Harbor Board.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2928, 4 July 1878, Page 2

Thames Harbor Board.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Thames Harbor Board was held at the Borough Council Chambers last evening. Present — The Chairman, the Mayor ; Messrs Mennie, Wilson, Spencer, Gibbons, Bagnall, Price.

MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. FOBEBHOBE SITES. A letter was read from Mr Climo asking for an additional piece of land besides the piece he had already pegged out. ." • ■ - ■: : •; •

A letter from Mr D. V. Kent was read, applying for a forshore section between the Herald and Imperial Crown batteries., Mr Price said that his firm' wished to secure a piece of land on the foreshore on easy terms for the purpose of making a ship-building yard. He would have sent in a tender to-day for a £6000 job if he had had a good yard. - The Secretary said that there were. several persons wishing for allotments, but had not yet put their applications into writing. The Chairman suggested that all applications be referred to a committee.

Mr Bagnall thought that the matter of the allotments on the foreshore should b& dealt with more publicly. The Mayor moved that a committee, consisting of the Chairman, Messrs.

Mennie and Bagnall be a committee to deal with the applications. Carried. HABBOB WOBKS. A letter was received from the Government stating that no grant could be made to the Board for temporary work, as there waa no vote from which the money could be taken. The Chairman: This is the end of our hopes. Mr Bagnall had thought that Government would send that answer to their application. The Chairman said that complaints were being continually made to them of the insufficient accommodation of the Goods Wharf. He would undertake to find the money for its extension. The plans were already prepared, and the estimated cost to carry out the wharf 105 feet further, was £1000. That,.however,, did not include silting works. /The Mayor: How does the Chairman proposes to get the money. The Chairman : From the Bank. Mr Bagnall moved that tenders be called for immediately to extend the Goods Wharf 105 feet. This was carried unanimously. Mr Mennie said that something should be done re the silt retaining works, The Chairman explained the method Sir John Coode proposed hy which the silt might be retained. Piles should be erected at an angle of 4$ deg'. north and south of the Wharf, and a few planks placed at the bottom. This would be strengthened by mullock from mines, and the silt could be easity retained. They need not be afraid of initiating this work, as £1500 ©r £2000 could, easily be obtained from the Bank. Mr Mennie moved that the Chairman be' instructed to have plans and estimates for retaining the silt prepared by next meeting. The Mayor seconded. Carried. The Mayor moved that estimates be prepared by the next meeting for lengthening the Shortland wharf, construction of Eopu wharf, and repairing of Tararu wharf. Carried. VOLUNTEER PABADE GBOUND. A deputation consisting of Capts. Murray (Thames Scottish No. 1), and Macdonald (No. 2 Scottish), and 'Lieut. Lawless (Naval Brigade), waited on the Board with reference to the proposed volunteer parade ground on the Foreshore. - Capt. Murray said they were present to see on what terms, and for how long, they could get the parade ground. They wished to get five acres between Albert street wharf and the Wesleyan Church. They would get the Government to reclaim the land and erect a drill-shed on it. It might also be used as a public square and recreation ground. After some conversation, the Chairman, on behalf of the Board, promised the volunteers every assistance, and the deputation withdrew.

Mr Gibbons said that it had struck him concerning this parade ground and other allotments, that a reservation should be made re the railway, which might be carried through the allotments, and they would be liable for compensation. COUNTY AID. ■ Mr Mennie moved that application be made to the County Council for assistance in making the Kopu wharf. He said that the wharf would not at all benefit the Harbour Board in a pecuniary point of view, and would be of great benefit to the County. Several members considered this premature till the estimate was prepared, and the motion was withdrawn. COLLECTION OF HABBOB DUES.

. The Chairman reported that the committed appoiuted to settle this matter had appointed Captain Best to collect Harbor Dues. Mr Ferguson would not accept the billet unless he got the collection for all the boats. Captain Best would be paid 10 per cent, on the amount collected.

It was resolved that the appointment be confirmed.' . ■ * *- COLLECTOEB BALAEY. The toll* collector's salary was raised from £60 to £75 per year, « FINANCE, • ■■• Accounts amounting to £23 were passed for payment. . -' ; f. This was all the business.