HARBOUR BOARD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 150, 30 June 1897, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD.

The ordinary forbnighbly meeting of the Harbour Board was held yesterday afternoon, when there were present: —The Chairman (Mr W. J. Napier), Messrs R. Glover, G. Stichbury, M. Niccol, J. T. Julian, W. Gunson, J. Thornes, A. Clarke, A. J, Entrican, E. Bell, T. Henderson, C. Hesketh.

Victoria - Waitangi Incident. — Tho i Secretary to the Marine Deparbmenb wrote thab the Department was unable to enquire into the causeß that nearly lead to a collision in tho harbour between the Victoria and Waitangi. The Department suggested that bhe Board should make regulabions bo control bho traffic of small steamers in the harbour. Another letter was received from bhe Department referring to tbe fact thab another collision had nearly taken place between the s.s. Waiotahi and the p.s. Eagle, and pointed out thab bins furbher proved bhe necessiby for conbrolling bhe harbour braffic. The Chairman said provision had already been made by the Board. Lower Queen-street Sewer. — The Town Clerk of Auckland wrote that owing to want of funds the Council is unablo to undertake the construction of tho sewer in Lower Queen-sbreeb. Ib was resolved to take no further action in the matter.

Patent Fonts.—Mr J. W. Haslem wrote thab ho had invented a patenb silt punb, and offered bo sell rights for Auckland harbour for £2.500, including a number of punts. Tho Chairman spoke strongly in favour of the patent, and on his motion the matter was referred to the Works and TariH Committee.

Footpath Customs - street. — Messrs Brown. Barrotb and Co. wrote asking bho Board to form a foobpath on bhe north side of Customs-streeb. — Tbe matter was referred to tho Finance and Legal Committee to see whether tho Board or City Ceuncil was responsible for carrying out bhe work.

Claim for Damage.—Mrs Isabelle Mann wrote tbab the axlo of one of her carts wis broken owing bo one of tho wheels being caught in the train lines on Firth's wharf. She claimod £2 for damage.—Referred to the Works Committee

Debentures.—Tho Sinking Fund Investment Committee, Wellington, wrote offering to purchase 25 debentures ab par, repayable 1936, bearing interesb ab 4 per cenb. per annum. The Chairman said bhia was eminenbly satisfactory. The lebber was received.

St. Mary's Bay,—Mr S. R. Scotb wrote complaining that the foreshore of St. Mary's Bay was blocked wibh yachts and boats hauled up for the winter.—The matter was referred to the Harbourmaster to take action in the mattor.

Tenders.—Tenders for coal, printing and ship chandlery were opened, and referred to the proper officials to go into schedules aud reporb.

Works and Tariff Commits eb.—The

recommendations of this Committee were as follows :—_Be site for sheer legs : That Mr Gouk's offer to eracb temporary sheer legs at the Railway Wharf be accepted ; that no recommendation be made as bo alteration of site tor permanent shear legs. Re shed accommodation Quay-streeb Jebty No. 3: That ashed 89 feet by 40 feeb be erected on Quay-sb. Jetty No. 3, and thab the doors in east end of ehed D. be utilised in the work. Waiting room and office accommodation, Victoria Wharf, Devonport : That the existing waiting room and offices on Victoria Wharf be purchased from bhe Devonport Ferry Company tor £200 cash, and thab bhe Foreman of Works reporb bo the Committee as to repairs and alterations. Office shed D : That office accommodation be provided in west eHd of shed D. ; thab the copings of Queen-streeb Wharf be lime waihed. Boab sheds, Devonport.—Thab consideration be deferred until next meeting of Committee.—The report w__ adopted. Financk and Legal Committee.—The recommendations of this Committee were adopted as follows -.—Be Mr Gouk's claim for repairs to Dredger 121 : Thab having considered conditions of contract and specifications the Commitbee recommend the Board nob bo recognise any liability in bhe matter. He narrow escape from collision b.B. Waitangi and Victoria : That the Harbour-master be directed to ineißt on ferry boats keeping course shown on plan submibbed to him, and that copy of same be forwarded to Devonport Ferry Com- ; pany- _____________