HARBOUR BOARD.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXIV, Issue 9662, 8 November 1882, Page 3

HARBOUR BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of this Board took place yesterday afternoon. Present — Messrs Carson (chairman), Ballance, Cross, Thatcher, Watt, Abbot, Poison, and Comfoot. MIHOTES. — The minutes of the previous ordinary meeting were read and confirmed. Hakbour Lights. — A letter was read from seven ship-masters, trading to the port of Wanganui, asking that a light be placed on the dredge. Also, that a green light be placed on the No. 4 beacon, north wall. — The secretary stated that the dredge light had been already gazetted and attended to. With regard to the beacon light the harbourmaster was. called in, and stated that it would bo an advantage, and would keep the vessels off the wall. Tho expense would be trifling. — On the motion of Mr Cross, it was resolved to place the beacon light as asked for,

Manawattj Blook. — A letter was read frcin Messrs Whitely Bros., asking if any of the £1850 voted for the roads in Pohangina, east of the river, will be expended on the Board's side of the river, to make the approach to the Government land passable. They' also stated that several people had come to look at the Board's land, but were stopped by the terrace. About fifteen chains of side-cutting, at about £3 per chain, would open up the communication. Those settlers who were already there could only pack up the side in good weather. — The secretary wns instructed to reply and state what roads were opened. . G-AZETTINa THE HEADS WHARF. A letter was read from Mr Denby, requesting that the position of the wharf inside the heads should be gazetted, to prevent accidents, and to fix the responsibility for them. — On the motion of the chairman, the matter was referred to the Marine Department. Claim by the Manawatu Council. — A letter was received from the clerk of the Manawatu County Council, explaining a claim made by that body for &1 19s lid, proportion of cost of superintendence of the contracts for roadmaking on the Pohangina Block. — After some discussion a motion by Mr Ballance, seconded by the chairman, in favour of paying the account was lost, the Board considering that, as nothing was originally said about remuneration of an overseer, the claim should fall upon the Manawatu Council. Heads Wharf. — The adjourned discussion took place upon Mr Abbot's motion, That the contractor be instructed to proceed with the Heads works according to the plans and specifications. — Mr Fitzherbert, the Board's solicitor, attended to advise them as to their position with regard to driving the 50 feet piles which were insisted upon by the Heads Railway Company. He considered that the contractor was entitled at anytime to call upon the engineer to apply the test named in the specifications, and that such test was really what was to decide whether it was impossible or not to drive 50 feet piles. The contractor had to produce his 50 foot pile, properly shod, and on his gaying (after making a fair effort to do so) that it was impossible to drive it, then he could claim the test to be applied. He (Mr Fitzherbert) had never seen the word " impossible" in any such a specification, but, as it was there, the only construction was that the contractor could challenge a test at any time, though he niust first make a reasonable attempt to drive the piles, and not be contpnt, of course, with a mere tap or two with the monkey. — In reply to Mr Poison, Mr Fitzherbert said that it was clear that the contractor must pay for the tests.— Mr Fitzherbert further advised that, as between the Board and the Eailway Company, the latter was bound by the alterations the former sanctioned, and would have to pay any increased cost. At the same time, the notice given by the oompany adverse to the alterations might, perhaps, lead to a difficulty, through the Board having to prove that the company's engineer had authority to sanction what the Board's eagineer had done. Mr Cross said that, if that opinion were correct, the Board could lead the company into several thousands of pounds of expense. — Mr Fitzherbert said that he was simply giving the legal construction of the matter. Of course any alterations in the specifications would have to be reasonablo ones. — Mr Hassell, the engineer, then read the proposed alterations in the lengths of the piles, and the increased prices, to which Mr Denby, the contractor, had agreed. Mr Hassell explained that the increased prices were for the extra power employed in driving by a ton and a half instead of a ton monkey. —Mr Ballance said that it was evident the test was useless. — The chairman, added that the contractor could ride off on the test and give lip the work altogether. — Mr Ballance said that it appeared that, as the matter was one between the engineer and the contractor, the Board had better leave it to the former to decide. — Mr Cornfoot said, that, iE Mr Abbot's motion were passed, the Board would simply be at a deadlock again. — After further discussion Mr Abbot's motion was put and lost.— Mr Ballance moved, That the Board sees no reason to interfere with the modifications made by the' engineer. It was not for the Board to approve the alterations, as under the specifications it was for the chairman and engineer, as executive officers, to decide such a matter. — Mr Fitzherbert called attention to an. amended clause which, required that the Board should give its assent. — Mr Ballance then withdrew his former motion, and proposed, That the Board agrees to the modifications sanctioned by the engineer, and authorises the chairman to sign accordingly. — In reply to Mr Polson, the engineer said that the altered lengths, driven with, the specified test, would make the wharf far stronger than with. 50 feet piles, to which such, test could not lie applied. —Mr Thatcher seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. — It was understood that the "chairman and engineer were to have power to sanction any trifling alterations which, they might consider necessary. Supply of Stone. — The chairman stated that Mr Denby thought the best way to obtain the stone was for him to go quietly up and make his own arrangements, taking the stone when he wanted it. — A letter was read from Takarangi asking to meet the chairman at Kaiwhaiki to make the necessiry arrangements. — Another letter was read from Messrs. McDonnell and Brassey applying to the Board to recoup them for advances made to the natives in connection with obtaining an agreement relative to the stone, and also for their own professional charges, about £1 7s, in connection with the same matter. In all, Messrs McDonnell and Brassey claimed i>29 11s. — The chairman and other members of the Board said that no agreement was made with Colonel McDonnell, but he was empowered to treat with the natives, on the understanding that his charges should be deducted from the payments to the natives. — Mr Thatcher said that only five out of ten grantees bad signed the agreement, which was perfectly worthless. — The chairman was opposed entirely to handing the payment over to any agent at all. — Mr Ballance suggested that it should be paid to Mr Booth. — Mr Polson was of opinion that it was better to keep it in hand till the natives decided amongst themselves how to divide it. — The chairman read the resolution of the Board empowering Colonel McDonnell to get the deed ratified by the natives. — Mr Ballance said that the Board must hold the five natives who had signed as individually responsible. — He would move, That upon Messrs McDonnell and Brassey handing over the deed signed by|the five natives, together with vouohers, then the advances made by them, and the professional jeharges incurred, should be deducted from the first payments made to the natives. — Mr Watt seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. — .The secretary was [instructed to ask Takarangi to meet the chairman in town. Engineer's Beport The report was received. — The engineer recommended that the gaps in the walls he repaired at a cost of about .£73(5. —Ordered to stand over till next meeting.

Accounts. — Various accounts amounting in all to i634:9s 4d were passed for payment. Heads Township. — The chairman moved that the plan of the Headß township as prepared by the engineer be approved of. — Seconded by Mr Ballance, and carried. — It was left to the chairman and secretary to arrange for placing the sections in the market, the usual two months' notice to be given, and lithographed plans to be prepared. — Some discussion took place as to the name of the new township, various ideas being rnooled. Ultimately Mr Ballance suggested " Castlecliff," and this name was unanimously adopted. Dredge Labourers. — The engineer stated that the six men working on the dredge, who recently had been employed from 17 to 20 days per ruontb, complained that their hours being so irregular 7s a day, was not enough. They asked, therefore, that they be paid Is per hour, or at the rate of 8s per day. — On the motion of the chairman the request was granted, as from the beginning of the month, the engineer stating that all the labourers were worth the money. HARBnURSIASTBK'S REPOBr. — AllLowe's report was read as to the progress of removing the snags in the river. He also suggested a new flagstaff on the Campbelltown station, as tUe existing one was rotten, and that a code of commercial signals be procured. The report was adopted. Pilot's Eeport. — This was also read, and stated that there were two channels over the bar, the north very narrow, with a depth of 13 feet at high-water spring tides, and the south broader with 10 feet. Eailway Accommodation. — The secretary reported that the Railway Department here wanted more storage aceomodation, now that the wool and grain season was coming on, and desired the Board to apply to the Government to provide such additional storage. It was resolved to write to the Government accordingly, Whakf Extension. —Mr Cornfoot moved that the attention of the Government be called to the necessity of more wharf accommodation, and that the Government be requested to lengthen the present wharf to the full extent, as intended in the first plans and specifications. — Mr Ballance seconded the motioD. — The Secretary said that the question had already been answered, the Government having replied that there was no objection to the wharf being extended, provided the Board would find the money. — The chairman remarked that there would be no harm in asking •gain. — Motiou carried. The Board then adjourned. • j