AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 305, 23 December 1896, Page 3

AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD.

The usual meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board was held yesterday afternoon, Mr Kissling presiding. The following members were also present : — Messrs J. J. Holland, M. Niccol, R. Farrell, W. J. Napier, J. J. Craig, J. T. Julian and W. Gunson.

Signal Lights.—A communication was received from the Secretary of bhe Marine Department, Wellington, asking the opinion of tho Board as to whether three vortical bright lights exhibited ab leasb six feeb apart from any parb of a vessel thab could be besb eeen would be a suitable signal to display when a boat required a piio' night. — On the motion of the Chairman, the recommendation was fallen in with,

Annual Regatta.—A letter was received from tho Secretary of the Auckland Regatta Committee asking for a donation from the Board to the funds of tho annual regatta. —The mat.er was referred to tbo Finance Committee with power to act. Coal Bins on the Railway Wharf.— Mr James Smith wrote asking thab the Board reconsider thoir decision with regard to the coal bins on the Railway Wharf. Ho pointed out thab if rails wero laid down on bhe north side of the eastern tee ib would not further bhe discharge of ships, as a largo steamer would berth in bhe cenbre of bho wharf, whereas now she berbhs ab one end and has room bo work three or four habchoit if necessary in or oub of railway trucks, thus leaving room for another vessel ab tbe coul berth site.—Tho matter waa referred bo the Works and Tariff Committee.

A Ferry Service for City Residents. — Mr 0. A. Harris wroba thab a project waa on foob bo provide a ferry service for tbo south shore of tho harbour, starting the service with one boat running wesb and another easb from Auckland wharf. He wished bo ascerbain whether bho Board would ba willing bo assisb in providing light landing wharves at Ponsonby and ab Dr. Campboll's and Mr Kiaslii-g'a Point, Parnell. Tho lsbber pointed oub bhat while considerable sums of money had been spent on tbe northern shore, little had been done for the residents of Auckland city in thia matter. One wharf was buiib beyond Ponsonby, altogether in the wrong place, whereas a wharf close to Shelly Boach on the eastern sida of the reef would bo an outlet for a large portion of Ponsonby and that neighbourhood, The wharves proposed ab Parnell would serve the convenience of Parnell and surrounding district. On tbo motion of Mr Julian bho matter waa referred to the Finance Committee.

Devonport Ferry Service.—A letter from tho Dovonporb Ferry Company was received asking thab tho gap in the Northcote Wharf bo filled up. Tho Chairman stated thab the coßb of bhis would be about £250. This matter was referred to the Works and Tariff Committee with a requesb to mako a recommendation at tbe next meeting of the Board. The summer timo table ot the Ferry Company was approved. Improvements on the Wharf. — The Traffic Manager, Mr E. W. Burgess, wrote asking for several improvemeuta in and aboub tha sheds on the wharves, tho most importanb boing for a lighb and handy travelling crane capable of lifting ono ton, and for a traffic manager's office. The estimate of the cost of this work by tho Board's engineer was £107 10s.—Tbe works, with tho exception oi bhe office, worst authorised, and thab waa referred to tho VVurks and Tariff Comt-iitbeo.

The I'riestman Dri.dc.kr.— Tho Foreman of Works reported thab repairs and fittings had been made by -Mr O'Coxnor to tha Preistmnn dredger, estimated at £30, which Mr O'Connor considered should be paid by the Board now hia contract was completed. The Foreman of Works further reported thab certain repairs were necessary. As it seemed to be tho opinion of a number of the raombers thab a condition of the contract was thab the dredger be returned by the contractor in the order in which ho took it over, ib was decided to refer tho matter bo tho Finance and Legal Committee to consider.

Tariff Committee Kefort. —The rocom-meuda-ions of the Works and Tariff Commit.oo wero dealt with aa follows •.•—lie floating crane: Thab no further action be takon in tho matter ab present. Agreed to.— Be berthing mail steamers: Thab the Harbour - master bo instructed that in future preference be given to mail steamers in reference to borthing accommodation. Agreed tm.—Re bridles to keel blocks: Thab r,ho plans and specifications be approved, and tenders called for the work. The matter bo referred back to thQ Committee for re-con-sideration.

Tarring and Sanding Wharves. — lb wins decided that the tarring and .landing of wharves bo proceeded with at once.

Salaries.—On tho motion of Mr J. J. Craiy ib was decided thab the salary of Mr Eady, clerk, bo voted ot £200 per annum.

The Holidays. —Mr Kiwling'. motion re the holidays thiib "Friday 25th, Saturday 26th, and Monday 28bb December, 1896, nnd Friday Ist, and Saturday 2nd January, 1897, be observed na Christina., and Now Year holidays in tho office of the Board," was adopted. Berthing of Steamers.—A ronolution was moved by Mr Kissling and apreod to "That the Harbourmaster bo instructed to borbh vessels loading export cargo ot Railway Wharf, as far aB practicable."