AUCKLAND' HARBOUR BOARD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 74, 31 March 1897, Page 2

AUCKLAND' HARBOUR BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board was held yesterday afternoon and was attended by Messrs MNiccol, W. Gunson, E. Bell, A. J. Entncan, T. Henderson, A. E. Glover, J. Stichbary, J. Thornes, M. A. Clark, A. B. Devore and C. Hesketh. In the absence of Mr Napier, Mr Niccol presided. Conway's Death.-The Department of Justice called the attention of the Board to the verdict of the Coroner's jury in the case of bhe recenb accidental death ot James Conway, master of the schooner A-alanta, by falling over the edge of the Quay-street breastwork. The jury added a rider recommending bhat bhe coping be levelled.-Referred bo the Works and Tariff Committee. Shipping Signals.—ln reply to a letter from the Board with regard to the posting of vessels signalled ab the telegraph office, the officer in charge of the telegraph office wrote stating that he had forwarded the Board's application to the head office, and thab he had no doubb the request would be acceded to. •'"••'.• Weiort-liftino Appliances.—Me_sra L. D. Nathan and Co. and also Captaia Babot, Marino Superintendent of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, wrote on behalf of that Company regarding appliances for lifting heavy weights at the Auckland wharves.' The Company wished for information aB to the facilities available ab Auckland for lifting heavy weights direct from the ship's hold and for transferring the same to scows alongside. The Company desired this information as some of. tho Company's cargo steamers woold shortly be landing heavy machinery at Auckland, say up to 18 tons, and it would be desirable to lift them direcb from the ship's hold into vessels alongside, if necessary. The Foreman of Works reported that tho only facilities for lifting heavy weights in the port were those provided by the 12-ton crane on the outer eastern tee of the Queen-atreet Wharf, bub it could not be utilised for removing weights direct from the ship's hold, Arrangements could be made, however, with Mr D. Gouk, to erect his temporary sheer legs at the end of tbe Railway Wharf ot a cost of £60, and to allow tbe Board to havo tbo use of them at a charge of £5 a day. These sheer legs could lift weights up to 30 tons.—Tbe Chairman said that something must be done. He thought Mr tiouk's offer should be accepted, and the Board could recoup themselves for the outlay by making a charge for the use of the appliances. Ib was Absolutely necessary to take acme steps to cope with bhe need for lifting heavy weights here, Bnd to remove the reproach which now lay on the Board of nob having appliances capable of lifting heavy machinery. Ib had been seriously proposed thab direcb eteamere should go to Wellington and discharge machinery there for localities in bhe Auckland district. As steamers with machinery were expected at an early date no time should be lost.—lt was resolved to reler the matter to the Works and Tariff Committee and that in the meantime the agents of the Company be informed thab bbc question was under consideration, aud thab the necossary appliances for lifting heavy weights would bo provided. Hobson-street- Wharf.—The Chairman stated thab the Foreman of Works' estimate of tho coßt of extending the Hobßon-street Wharf 300 feeb was £18,000. This would provide one extra berth, the western side of the wharf being very exposed. It was decided to ask tho Foreman of Works to submit plans and specifications. Traffic Manager and Captain Nearino.— It was decided to ask Captain J. Nearing for an explanation of his quarrel with MrE. W. Burgess, bhe Board's traffic manager, with respect to the Btbring of cargo on the wharf.—The Chairman stated thab Captain Noaring had been asked to apologise for hjs conduct towards Mr. Burgess, bub bad not don* so. Works and Tariff Committee.—Thia Committee made the following recommendations :— Be pilot service : That the instructions of the late Chairmen bo rescinded, and that tho pilot steamer be ordered to sea only when in the opinion of the Harbour-master there is reasonable expectation of securing a vessel. Cargo in sheds on wharves : Thab an addition be made to by-law No. 83 to the following effect:—That an overtime charge of Is per ton be made to all ships on all cargo discharged after usual working hours or on wharf holidays where in the opinion of the wharfinger it is necessary for the Board to employ labour to stack or remove cargo in sheds. That the Traffic Manager be authorised to employ such labour as may be necessary to stack cargo in sheds which has been displaced in course of delivery, and tha cosb of such labour and all charges incurred for such purpose shall be paid by any person effecting or causing such displacment of cargo." Examination of Goods by H.M. Customs ; " That increased facilities for the prompt examination of goods by H. M. Customs be given by the Customs authorities, and that the Secretary be instructed to write to the Commissioners of Customs* upon the mabter," Accidenb bo boiler dredger No. 121: " That as bhe porusal of the specifications for dredging with Dredger No. 121 discloses the facb bhat under any circumstance Mr Gouk will require to pay the COBb of all repairs, Mr Gouk be informed to this effecb." Fenders, Quay • street wall : " That temporary repairs bo effected." Removal of blocking and repairs to Queen • street Wharf : " That consideration be deferred, the Foreman of Works to report upon the matter." Improvements Hobson-street Wharf: " Thab in view of the cost being so large, action be deferred for the present." Extension of Hobson-street Wharf and sheds : *' Thab plans and specifications be prepared and submitted to this Committee," Plans and specifications for travelling crane, additions to shod 1, Quay-street jetty, and specifications for denning and painting buoys and beacons were approved, separate tenders bo be called for the work." The reporb was adopted with bhe exception of the clause relating to cargo in sheds on wharves, which waa deferred till next meeting. Finance and Legal Committee—This Committee recommended :— Re site for rifle range : That consideration ba deferred. Committee to vi«ib tho locality. —Re O'Connor's contract: (1) That the deposit of £100 be paid to Mr O'Connor ; (2) that the amount of £45 14s be paid to Mr O'Connor as payment in full of all demands against the Board to this date.— _Kenavigation in harbour: Thab a copy of corres pondence be forwarded to the Collector of Customs, and he be requested to bake action in bhis matter, and Mr Brown be informed accordingly. —Re renb of allotment: Thab allotment No. 67 be rented bo Messrs Wrighb and Sons from month to month, ab a rental of 12s 6d per week, payable monthly in advance.—Thab by-laws, site for Admiral's house, and by-law for Takapuna Beach be deferred.—The report was adopted. Freeman's Bat.—Mr Sbichbury moved : «' Thab the Ciby Counoii of Auckland bo requested to ab once tako steps bo build 100 ft or more of sewer, extending from the present opening in Freeman's Bay seaward, and bhat the Hurbour Board will pay towards bhe extension half cost of same, and give bhe'City Council permission bo enter on reclamation for bhe purpose of the above extension."—The motion was referred to the Legal and Finance Committee. Tenders.—Tha tender of Mr J. G. Blaikie for painting sheds, offices, etc, (labour only), for the sum of £24, was accepted, For regain to wharves and

jetties, three tenders were received, with schedules attached, and were referred bo the Foreman of Works to report to the Works and Tariff Committee.