WANGANUI HARBOUR BOARD.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12645, 4 November 1905, Page 7

WANGANUI HARBOUR BOARD.

Tho ordinary monthly meeting of the Wanganui Harbour Board was held last evening, when there were present— Messrs. J. B. Murray -(chairman), T. B Williams, W. E. Morgan, A. Higgie, A. Hatrick, R. Neilson, A. G. Bignell. and A. Elliott.

APOLOGY.—An apology was received from Mr. W. G. Bassett for his unavoidable absence. -

BANK-BOOK—The Bank book showed a credit balance of £416 2s. 3d.

ACCOUNTS—Accounts amounting to £161 17s. lid. were passed for payment.

HARBOURMASTER'S REPORT— The harbourmaster (Capt. Irvine) repor-t ed that the bar is still a wide flat between tho north and south spits, studded with small hillocks. The late fresh in the river had made no improvement. Tho water on tho bar was 10 feet 8 inches at high water spring, and 7 feet 8 inches at high water neaps. The lower reach and entrance are fairly good, the upper flats as usual. Eightyfive vessels crossed the bar during the month; 30 crossed at night. He strongly advised dredging in front of the Heads wharf, as the water there was getting shallower. DREDGEMASTER'S REPORT—The Dredgemaster reported that good work was being done by the dredge. The depth below the dredge was 12 feet 6 inches, and above from 9 feet to 10 feet. The late flood had not harmed tho channel. Very little gravel was being met with, it being mostly sand.

SAILING CLUB—Mr. Mackay, representing the Wanganui Sailing Club, requested that the Board grant the olub the use of Manson's buildings on Taupo Quay during the carnival for tho use of visiting sailing men and as a storeroom.—Granted.

DRIFTWOOD AT PUTlKl—Messrs. Takarangi Mete Kingi and Hori Gray attended, and protested against the white men being allowed to take the driftwood from the Putiki foreshore.— Mr. Hatrick explained that unless the wood was taken away immediately it drifted back into the channel, and became an obstruction.—The Chairman informed the deputation that being upon tho spot, the Maoris had the advantage over the white people, and should remove it at once.—No action was taken.

CATTLE YARDS—Messrs. Levin and Co. wrote requesting the Board to erect racks in the cattle yards so that oattlo oquld bo fed when yarded prior to shipping or removing:. On the motion of Mr. Hatrick, it was resolved that this be done, on the understanding that the cost does not exceed £5.

PORT LlMlTS.—Letter received from Marino Department, refusing to aj-provo extension of port limits to five miles.—Resolved to inform the Department that there are many New Zealand harbours whose pilots are asked fo>" assistance outside that margin, and reauesting reasons for their decision.

WHARFAGE RATES—The Chnir-ir-an stated that ho* had been a.pnroachei\ by members of the Chamber of Commerco with regard to diferential wharf ago rates upon goods in trucks upon the wharf, pending removal, or

rebate upon the same.—Resolved, that in view of the state of the Board's finances, any reduction in their revenuo ooi'dl not be entertained at the present time, tho Board having no power to niako a diferential rate.

HEADS CHANNEL.—Mr T. B. Williams said he was of opinion that tho Works Committee should report upon tho advisability of proceeding with the work of removing the sandbank at the Heads wharf and estuary. This worli should bo gone on with as soon as pos- * siMe.—The secretary explained that M?. Reynolds had written him promising that the plans would be before them for the October meeting, but that nothing had been heard from him since. —Resolved, o*> tho motion of Mr. Hatrisk, seconded by Mr. Morgan, that \ telegram bo sent to Mr. I'eslie Reynolds to th-3 effec<b that the Beard was indignant at.the delay which has taken pJaco in tho preparation of plans.