HARBOUR BOARD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 8, 11 January 1899, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board was heici yesterday afternoon, when there were present Messrs M. Niccoi (chairman), Julian, Gunson, Bell, Philson, Entrican, Henderson. Djgnan, 'lhornes, Glover, and Devore.

A letter was received from Mr T. Ronayne, General .Manager of the N.Z. Railways, stating that he had given instructions for the necessary repairs to the embankment in Mechanics' Bay to be carried out.

The Secretary of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association applied for the use of one of the Board's sheds on the Hobson street Wharf for a few days at regatta time, for housing boats of visiting crews. It was decided to grant the request conditionally on the shed being available.

The New Zealand Shipping Company wrote stating- that they had been put to a large additional expense of about £515 in connection with the foundations of the buildings they are erecting in Customs street, this expense being rendered necessary by the removal of an obstruction met with underground in the shape of the old city silt basins, which were not removecl prior to the land being reclaimed. The Company asked the Board to reimburse them for this additional expense. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Bell, -That the Company be informed that, the Board does not'accept any responsibility in the matter.'

The question of granting licenses for vehicles •on the wharves was brought up by the Chairman, who stated that in his opinion there was not sutlicient care exercised in the issuing of these licenses. Some objectionable characters had got licenses lately, and he thought the police should be consulted before the new licenses for 1899 were issued. On the motion of the Chairman, it was decided to ask tne police authorities to go over the list of applicants for licenses, and advise the Board as to any characters whom they considered objectionable.

On the motion of the Chairman, it was decided to hold a special meeting of the Board in committee next Tuesday afternoon, to consider the whole question of dredging.

A memo, from the Harbour Master re the blowing up of the p.s. IJnterprise was read. He stated that he had visited the scene of the explosion in Rangitoto Channel, and found good sized sections of the vessel floating in a position dangerous to shipping. It was decided to notify the Torpedo Corps to have the obstruction removed without delay.

The Board decided, on the recommendation of the Works and Tariff Committee, to decline Messrs E. Porter and Co.'s application for permission to erect a powder magazine at Kohimaramara, and to consider the cost of fitting up either of the hulks Leon and Arawatta as a floating powder magazine. , It was decided to obtain a steamer for general harbour work and fire extinguishing purposes.

The Secretary of the Queen's Statue Committee wrote requesting the Board to remit the wharf charges on the five cases per s.s. Waikato. containing the bronze statue of the Queen and a granite pedestal; also to allow storage free of charge until the statue was required for "erection. The request was granted, the Chairman remarking that the steamer had carried the statue free of charge, and the stevedores had made no charge for landing it.

Mr Ashley Hunter C.E., wrote stating that there was no warrant for the statement that, the planking beneath the Freeman's Bay sewer was of insufficient strength. The Chairman said the statement had been made on Mr Hunter's own authority, but that, gentleman was now expressing quite a different opinion. The letter was received.

On the recommendation of the Legal and Finance Committee, the Board decided to refund to the Union Company the dues paid in connection with the San Francisco mail since April Ist, amounting to £111 11/2.

Mr Brigham, Secretary to the Board, who is at present in London, wrote stating that, after many enquiries in Sydney, Melbourne and London, he was convinced that Priestman's system is the best for the dredging required by the Board, and by far the most economical. He had accordingly obtained the required machinery from Messrs Priestman Bros., at a costof £1,363 16/8, f.0.b.. at London. The letter was referred to the Works and Tariff Committee. Mr Brigham also wrote with reference to a floating fireengine for harbour work, forwarding estimates for such a steamer, to cost £1,941. The matter was referred to the Works Committee.