HARBOUR BOARD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 211, 6 September 1899, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD.

After we went to press yesterday the following- business was transacted at the meeting- of the Harbour Board, Mr M. Niccol being in the chair. The following- recommendations of the Finance and Lrfal Committee were adopted:—"That a board be fixed on the watermen's house giving the addresses of watermen, and that night watch for watermen be discontinued; that in conneciion with the Freeman's Bay contract an extension of time for si.x months be allowed to Mr D. Fallon to deposit all the material excavated from the Gas Company's allotment, such material to be deposited to the satisfaction of the Foreman of Works; that in respect to the sub-committee's report re shipping- charges, when a vessel in charge of a pilot and paying pilotage is berthed at or removed from a wharf, no harbour master's fees shall be levied for such service; that a clause be inserted in the Auckland Harbour Board Empowering Bill giving the Board authority to expend the portion of the loan of •1886 not yet issued upon such wharves and permanent harbour works as may be approved by the. Board." The chairman explained that there was still £ 90,000 unraised of the £200,000 loan authorised, and it was requisite to obtain power to divert this loan from the. works scheduled if such action was deemed necessary by the Board.

Hobson-street Wharf.—The foreman of works reported upon damage done to the Hobson-street Wharf by a steamer, the amount being estimated at £54. The Board decided to make a claim upon the owners for that amount. On the motion of Mr Gunson, seconded by Mr Macky, it was agreed that the foreman of works be authorised to dredge the berth at Hobson-street Wharf as speedily as possible.

Works and Tariff Committee.—The following recommendations of this committee were adopted:—That regulations be prepared for the use of the magazine charges, etc., for the storage of explosives; that old piles required be supplied for Greenhithe wharf: that specifications for repairs to railway wharf be prepared aritl tenders called for the work; that consideration of the whole question of ferry landings be deferred until next meeting of the committee; that new watermen's landing steps be provided at a cost of £7 10/; that steam launch for towing silt" punts be hired upon terms submitted by Mr D. Uremen.