HARBOUR BOARD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 15, 19 January 1898, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD.

The ordinaly meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board was held yesterday afternoon, there being in attendance Messrs W. J. Napier (chairman), W. Gunson, M. A. Clark, J. Thornes, J. Stichbury, J. T. Julian, E. Bell, A. J. Entrican, T. Henderson, A. E. Glover, C. llesketh.

Quay-street.—-The consideration of the formation of Quay-street was referred to the Works and Tariff Committee to report.

Auckland Regatta.— The lion. sec. of the Auckland Regatta Club applied for a donation towards the funds of the annual regatta.—On the motion of Mi Entrican it was agreed to give a donation of £10.

The Northcote Wharf Fire.—lnspector Hickson wrote re the resolution passed by the Board relative to the conduct of Constables Bezar and Fitzgerald at the recent fire at Northcote wharf. He said that he was gratified to know that the conduct of the constables had mot with the approbation of the Board and had informed them accordingly. The letter was received.

Swimming Club. — The Auckland Swimming Club was granted permission to hold galas in the Graving and Calliope docks in the months of February and March next.

Hours of Work in Dock.—Mr C. Finlay, fireman at the Graving dock, wrote in reference to refusing duty in connection with docking the Ovalau on the evening of the Bth January without extra pay. He said that he came on duty at 6 a.m. that morning, and that the Ovalau and salt water pumping would have kept him on duty till 12 p.m. He had requested payment of overtime. In this connection the engineer under date January 17th supplied a list of vessels that had been docked at night since November. He said that he was 38 hours on duty from Sunday till 3 o'clock on Tuesday morning; on duty again at 5 o'clock till 10 p.m., and on duty on the 13th from 7 a.m. till 2 a.m. the following morning. The Chairman said that a vessel was going into dock and Finlay refused to go on unless he was paid overtime. He therefore suspended him until this meeting, and put on another man. He had since learned that Finlay had o, grievance. Latterly the practice had grown up of vessels being docked at night, and the dock men were being worked 18 and 20 hours a day, and had to go without sleep. He was sure no member of the Board wished this state of tilings to continue. He would move " That Finlay be re-instated."—The question of payment of overtime and employment of extra hands was referred to the Works and Tariff Committee.

Works and Tariff Committee.—The report of the committee as published was adopted.

Colonial Sugar Company.—The Finance and Legal Committee recommended—Letter from E. Knox as to wharfage charges: That the Committee cannot recommend that any further concession be granted to tlie Colonial Sugar Company, and that a copy of the secretary's communication of August 27th, 1897, be forwarded to Mr Knox.—Mr Entrican moved as an amendment to the committee's recommendation, " That the whole matter be referred to the Board in committee."—Mr I3ell seconded. —The Chairman said that he would oppose. They had gone fully into the whole matter, and the Board had agreed to reduce the tariff on sugar by 3d per ton. The Company paid 3d per ton less than any other importer of produce in this community. The figures Mr PhiJson put before the Board were wrong and absurd, and he submitted no case had been made jut that the Sugar Company should receive any further consideration.—Messrs Clark and Henderson supported the amendment. —Mr Gunson did not think the question would lose anything by going back to the Committee.—On division the voting was equal. The Chairman gave his casting vote against the amendment. —- On the motion of Mr Glover it was then agreed that the clause in the Committee's report be deferred for one month.—The Chairman stated that he would draw up figures in connection with the whole' matter, and forward a copy to each member of the Board.

Finance and Legal Committee. — The recommendations of this Committee, with the exception of Colonial Sugar Company's wharfage charge, were adopted. Damage to Wharf.—The foreman of works reported that the p.s. Eagle had broken one of the piles at the Victoria Wharf.—lt was decided to forward the account to the Devonport Ferry Company. .Railway Wharf.—A report from the traffic manager drew attention to the dangerous condition of some parts of the decking on the Railway Wharf, and it was decided to write to the Railway Department on the subject.

Annual Meeting.—The Chairman stated that the accounts of the Board had not yet been audited by the Government auditor, and it was decided to hold the annual meeting of the Board as soon as the accounts were returned duly audited.