Thames Harbor Board.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2964, 15 August 1878, Page 3

Thames Harbor Board.

The usual fortnightly meeting of this body was held at the Council Chambers last evening- . Present—Mr W. DavieH (chairman), Messrs Spencer, Price, Wilson, Mennie, Gibbons, and Kilgour. MINTTTES. The minutes of the last meeting were , xead and confirmed, as also were the "minutes of the special meeting re nccept- • ance of tender's and leases on foreshore. "' ;- .';.,« KOPTT WHABF. •*A letter was read from the County '•.Clerk giving officially the County's decision re their rendering assistance in the construction of the Kopu wharf. RECEIVING SHED. A letter was read from Mr S. H. Burningbam applying for permission to erect a receiving shed on the extension of the Shortland wharf It was resolved that the Secretary be instructed to write the applicant to the affect that the Board favorably entertained his application. " AMENDMENTS TO THAMES HAKBOB ACT. The Chairman said he had received " several copies of the proposed amendments to the Harbor Board Act from the Premier. They were marked confidential, 'so he supposed were not intended for publication. The members read over the drafts, and seemed to think the alterations satisfactory. GOLD DUTY. The followiug telegram was read from Mr W. Eowe:—"What do your ftoard think of repeal of Gold Duty. Coromandel oppose. Beply prompt." The Chairmafi said that as this matter was to be fully discussed at a pullic meeting the Board had better wait till after the meeting, when they might hear the arguments pro and con. Mr Gibbons remarked that he con- . sidered the Gold Duty the most righteous : tax ever imposed, aud thought it quite within their province to pass an opinion on the matter. He proposed that ibis Board consider the Gold Duty should be ' retained. After some little discussion— Mr Mennie protested against the question' beinjj considered at this meeting, especially as a public meeting was to be held on Monday, . Mr Price also thought it was out ot their province/ and that it should "be Mr Mennie moved—" That this matter being outside the functions of the Board, we decline to give any opinion on the matter." , The amendment was carried, only two Toting for the motion.

, TARABU WHARF. Mr Brown presented a petition signed by -160 residents of the Thames praying the Board to take steps to connect the outer and inner portions of the Tararu Wharf. ,»»„■- v .. The Chairman informed Mr Brown ihat this matter had been already considered by the Harbor Board, and plans and specifications were to have been laid on the table to-night. The Secretary said that the surveyor had not yet finished the plans Mr Gibbons moved and Mr Spencer seconded the reception of ihe petition. Carried. It was decided to postpone discussion on the matter until the plans and estimates were before the Board.

PBOJPOSED BHIP-BITIIiI>IN» TAB©. _ The Chairman said that the Ommittee had visited the site Messrs Price Bros. wished to obtain for a ship-building yard, and he was of opinion that they wou'd not be justified in giving such a valuable and large piece. The only site available vras near the Powder Magazine. Mr Price said that it would be no use to them, as it would cost too much to reclaim, and after some discussion it was decided to request the applicants to peg out the allotment they wished, and slate on what terms they were willing to take it, when the matter could be again considered at the nest meeting of the Board. FISH 'mABKET: It was resolved that the Chairman and Mr Gibbons be a committee to act with the Borough Council re the erection of the sheds on jetty for the convenience of j fishermen. , NEW TOLL HOUSE. .; The Chairman reported that tenders had been received for the erection of the toll-house at Burke-street Wharf, but as the lowest tender was £117 he had thought it better to consult the Board before accepting it. ' It was resolved on the motion of Mr Price to accept the lowest tender. The collector of wharfage, etc. (Mr G. Best) reported that £58 wharfage and other dues had been collected during the month. ; THE BEPOBTEBS. \ The Mayor : Gentlemen, before leaving .1 have a matter I wish to bring under your notice, with reference to. a breach of privilege on the part of the reporters for the papers. At a special meeting of this Board, when the business was supposed to be ended, I entered into a private conversation with several gentlemen and made certain remarks about the sending nf a delegate to Wellington to look after the new Bill. These remarks, which never should have been, were reported. They, were no part of the business of the Board, and the papers had commented ■on them with great severity. I complain of the remarks being reported at all, and also of their l^eing incorporated in the business of the Board, which was a breach of privilege. I have not the slightest illfeeling towards the reporters, but have brought the matter.forward to show them the gross breach of privilege of which they, have been guilty. I mentioned at the meeting that I used the words in my private capacity, but I trust that my mentioning this matter will prevent a repetition of such unwarrantable conduct.

. The Chairman : I don't think you can accuse the reporters of breach of privilega, Mr Mayor, a 9 if my memory serves mo rightly, the meeting was not over when you made the remarks you complain j of being reported. The Mayor: I beg your pardon, Mr Chairman, the meeting was over, and I and several others had risen to go. I told the reporters that the words were utterpd in my private capacity. Did I not, Philp ? (to Star reporter.) Philp: You did. The Chairman : I am still under the impression that you made use of the words in the meeting. The Mayor: I beg your pardon, Mr . Davies. The meeting was closed, I assure you, but was resumed again. I told them - thai I was not speaking in the business of the meeting. If that system came into

vogue, reporting would become a system of spying. The Chairman**. I am still /under the impression that you wore speaking to the motion. However 1 will think the matter over to-night. Mr Mennie thought the reporters were indiscreet in reporting the remarks. The matter di-opped and the meeting adjourqed.