HARBOUR BOARD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 32, 8 February 1899, Page 3

HARBOUR BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board was held yesterday afternoon, there being in attendance Messrs M. Niccol (Chairman), Devorc, Clover, Gunson, Napier, Thornes, Julian, Bell, Philson, Entri-

can, Henderson

Wynyard Pier.—The secretary of the Marine Department wrote approving of the plans of additions to Wynyard Pier, which the Board pro-, posed, to construct. —'Received.

Extension of Contract Time.—ln reference to the filling in of the Freeman's Bay the Town Clerk of Auckland wrote that he was now instructed to state that the extension of time proposed to be granted for filling of bay was immaterial to the Council, as the filling pver sewer had to be carried out in such a manner>as to prevent injury to the work and the sewer itself handed over in perfect state.— The communication Avas received.

Northcote Wharf.—Mr R. B. Martin, contractor for erection of Northcote wharf, wrote that the sawmill proprietors could not cut the deck plank-, ing- according* to specifications.—:Mr David (Jquk, contractor for No. 4. jetty also wrote in a similar strain. — Sir Philson thought the two contracts ought not to be delayed. He moved that the strict observance of the contracts be not complied with, and that the contractors be allowed to complete contracts with timber cut in the old way, the Works and Tariff Committee to interview the contractors and modify the specifications.—This was agreed to.—An amendment by Mr Entriean that strict observance of the specifications be insisted on was lost. The speaker said he was conversing lately with Mr Ellis, of Otorohanga. That gentleman was cutting up a large bush, and in about six months* time he would be able to supply any quantity of matai timber. Water Frontage.—Mr T. Wood, of Brighton Point, Parnell, wrote that he had lodged an application at the Land Transfer Office to have a small portion of a water frontage to Hobson's Bay, Parnell, placed under the Land Transfer Act. The Registrar had asked him to get the consent to the» plan which had been approved at the Survey Office.—Referred to Finance and Legal Committee to report. Devonport Ferry Service.—Dr. Bakewell wrote complaining that the Osprey. timed to leave Auckland at 12.30 p.m. and proceed to the Devonport wharf, except at low tides, very often did not proceed to that wharf, but stopped at Victoria wharf, and returned immediately to Auckland. He also complained of the crowded condition of the boats on holidays and stated: 'Last Saturday I was a passenger, with twelve horses, on a crowded boat. -This morning I counted nineteen horses landed from a steamer with a load of passengers. These enormous loads are carried with a crew of only two men on deck. I think some arrangement ought to be made compulsory on the Ferry Company whereby horses, sheep, cattle, waggons and heavy goods should be carried by separate boats. We have to thread our way, with children very often, amidst, a confused maze of horses and waggons, furniture and cases of goods, passengers' luggage, milk cans, butcher's meat, and all sorts of miscellaneous articles. Such arrangements might have 'sufficed the forties and fifties, but are really out of date now.'—Referred to the new Finance and Legal Committee to report. Assignment of Lease.—A letter from Messrs Russell and Campbell re assignment of lease of allotments 31 and 32, Gore-st., Thos. Vivian to Chambers, was referred to the Finance and Legal Committee to report. Land to be Reclaimed. —Capt. Coyle forwarded for approval a plan of land adjoining the submarine mining establishment at Devonport proposed to be reclaimed, the work to be carried out by the Defence Department.—The plan was approved. Tarring and Sanding.—The Works and Tariff Committee reported that the tarring and sanding carried out on the wharves under the recent contract was not satisfactory, though in the main the specifications were adhered to; that no tarring and sanding be in futtire done by contract; that Mr Knight be employed and a trial made by doing a portion of the wharf with tar and,sand and fencing it off till thoroughly dry.—Mr Fmtrican took exception to the clause that ho tafririg and sanding in future be done by contract, and it was struck out.—The report as amended was adopted. Permit. —An application from Messrs Donald and Edenborough to steam the schooner Medorti in the dock was agreed to. Certificate.—The Board granted a pilot's certificate to Mr J. M. Roberts. Dredger 121. —It was resolved that Dredger 121 be cleaned and overhauled, she having finished the channelling leading to Hobson-at. AVh.'U'f. Finance Committee.—The report of the Finance Committee recommended payment of £576 17/10, which was authorised to be paid. The committee recommended as follows: Extension of Freeman's Bay contract time: That an extension of contract time for filling in Freeman's Bay be granted, to a period coterminous with the completion of the sewer contract, provided the material. deposited during that term be deposited where and in such manner and quantities within the Bay as the Board ma}' direct; provided also that the Gas Company remove, without cost to this Board, all material deposited in line of sewer by. Mr Fallon since the commencement of his present contract with the Gas Company. Donation to Auckland Regatta Club: That a donation of £lO be voted to the funds of' the Auckland Regatta Club. Land, Emily Place: That the sum of £300 be offered Mr Shera for land in Emily Place, adjoining the Board's property. Complaint from Captain Brown re deserters from H.M. navy: That a letter.be forwarded to the Minister for Justice drawing his attention to the complaint of Captain Brown re deserters. The recommendations Were adopted. Thanks.—On the motion of Mr W. J, Napier a vote of thanks was passed to Mr Niccol for his services during the past year as Chairman of the Board. Tenders.—Tenders for additions to Wrnyard Pier were considered, that of Mr John •White, £278 10/, being accepted. The tender of Seager Bros., £118, for construction of iron buoys, was accepted. -—....* • ■•■,. Greenhithe Wharf.—The Works ana Tariff Committee recommended that, provided the sum of £200 be contributed by the settlers and the ti-tree posts for approach be placed upon the ground, the Board agree to proceed with the work. In. answer to questions by Messrs Devore and Entrican the Foreman of Works said the Board would have to provide £250 aS their

contribution for the work.*~The recommendation of the Committee Was adopted. •