HARBOUR BOARD.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLV, Issue 6805, 8 December 1916, Page 5

HARBOUR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING.

| The monthly meeting of the Tajranga Harbour Board was held ia the Coronation Hall yesterday. Present: I Messrs G. V. Stewart (in the chair), IC. LalJy, B. King, H. J. Gill, D. | Graat, J. C. Adams, T. Lochhead, and H. Southey. ' Sbippirg cf Pigs. Mr David Taylor, Agent tor ths New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Bacon and Meat Packing Co., Ltd., wrote as follows: "The farmers in the Katikat district being desirous of having provision made for the shipment of their live pigs, I am writing to aßkif your Board vsonld grant permission to erect a receiving yard in f convenient position close to the Kati ;ati Wharf for that purpose. I wow id like also respectfully to caP the htention of tbe Board to the superls'ive inconvenience for the handling of pigs at the Victoria Wharf, Tauranga, and to the injury done to the animals through having to force them along the long race to the weighing machine, which is also most awkwardly arranged. A number of pigs have already besn seriously injured, para lysed in the hindquarters through being dumped on the wharf and driven dow;i the race. The entrance to the wharf ia the sensible and proper place for the receiving pen, a 9 I so strongly though unsuccessfully . advocated when the yard was being moved. I wars advised that it would only be for the matter of three months, until alteratiojs in connection with railway and reclamation works would be made. That was some four, months; ago. Tbe blocking up of tbe yard and^ entrarce thereto, with timber, etc.,l causes much inconvenience too, whichf wnuld not be experienced at the en-S trance end of the wharf. Might I askf that the necessary convenience might; be made at ths entrance end of the wharf even yst, as I think the interests of the farming community oaght to be studied a little." Mr Souihey said there would be objections to a yaid at the shore end of the Victoria Wharf. Timber should not be left in the way of shippers.

Mr Kina moved—That the matter be left in the hands of: the Executive Coramittee with power to act. Mr Lochhead seconded. He said the weighing pen should be located "at, the shore end of the wharf clongsidej of the pressnt stockyard. The pigs| could be weighed, placed in the yardj and then driven into the race. | The Chairman said permission to| erect a yard at tha Katikati wnatfg should be granted. I Mr Adams moved-That the request concerning yurd at 'he Katikati wharf* be acceded to, tho Chairman to appryve of the position a> d construction. —Seconded by Mr Lally and carried. lie Chairman suggested that the question of yard on the Victoria Wharf be left to the Executive Committee. • I Mr Adams soid ha waa opposed to| leaving the matter to the Executive! Committee, It was not permissible I to erect a yard at the shore end ofithe wharf, as objections to that position had previously been msde. He understood the Borough Council had expressed disapproval of that position, and the Borough wqs within its right in objecting lo what might be a nuisance. He thought some provision might be made to assist unloading operations. Mr Southey was desirous of seeing every reasonable facility' given, provided friction did not ensue. In answer to Mr bill), Mr Lowe said the piga were weighed and.held on the Victoria Wharf, and then carted to the Town Wharf, There were ho shipping facilities on the Town Wharf. Mr Gill said he did not see why a pen for pigs should not be erected on the1 Town Wharf. Mr Lally suggested that the Executive Committee be asked to submit a report on the question to the next meeting of the Board. With the consent of the mover and seconder, the motion was pltered as suggested by Mr Lally and was put and carried. Mr David Taylor also wrote asking for permission to fix an advertising plate, 6ft by 3ft, on the side of the old wharf, facing along the Strand, say, midway between the two gates. The plate was to bear words referring to the receiving depot of the Company. Mr King moved, and Mr Lally seconded— That the matter he referred to the Executive Committee to report upon at next meeting.—Carried. A Katikati Reserve. Mr H. F- Bhkeiiey, KatiKati, wrote stating he was informed that the Board is now offering for lease Section 76, Block VI, Tahawai District. He asked to be supplied with the terms and conditions of the lease. —Already replied to by the Secretary. Mr Blakecey wrote further on Deeember4 acknowledging the Secretary's letter, enclosing conditions of lease. He said he was not prepared to tender for the lease until Fia understood more fully the condition relating to laying down the land in grass. If this is compulsory he would not tender, but said he would submit a tender if the Board granted similar conditions to those granted to him by the Commissioner of Crown Lands. A copy of the Jatter's conditions was forwarded. The Board decided to call fresh tenders for the lease of the reserve for a period of twenty-one years, provided such term is in accorJanca with law. Dredging Operations. Mr W, 11. Gifford, Acting Town Clerk, wrote undar date Nov. 9 regarding'dredging matters. He stated the Board's letter was placed before a special meeting of the Council on November 6, when, after a very full discussion of the whole position the following resolution WO3 passed: "That the Borough Council inform the Taurango Harbour Board that it would be wiser under present conditions to allow the Marine Department to cease the v,ork, and later on, when circumstances are mere favourable, that fjesli negotiations bs made. The Council also passed the following further resolution: That the Borough Council consider (hit the Marine Department should tuaka no charge for the experiments they have made with their Priestman dredge in the Tauranga Harbour. ;Mr Lowe stated that after receiving I the latter a deputation from the Board j had waited on the Mayor. j On December 1, Mr Gifford wrote: "With reference to the deputation from your Boerd which waited upon the Mayur recently regarding the dredging of the harbour, I nave to state that the following motion was submitted to the Council by the Mayor afc tbs meeting of the Council on the 27th ulto, and passed; "That the Council approve of the work being proceeded with when T the Realdent Engineer, through ? the Marine Department, advises that the money

can bs spent to advantage, and that ths Council extends the time accordingly for the completion of the work." Hon. H. McNab, Minister of Marine, wrote to the Chairman as follow?: "1 beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of November 22, inviting m«* to ba present at Tauranga on the Bth prox at the annual show of the A. , and P. Association, in order that the j members of your Board may be able to j discuss the matter of dredging, as referred to in Mr AUport's letter. lam afraid that engagements made in ] Otago covering that week will pte- ] vent my presence in Taurartga but I j intend to visit the district some time J during the summer season, when I j will go into the question with your- j self and the members of your Board, j I would ask you, however, to take j advantage of Mi Henries' presence at j Tauranga to discuss the matter, so as Mr Herries will be able, on his return to represent the matter to ma " TheChaiimm said the latter from tlia Borough Council was a credit to that body, and ho was -very well satisfied with it. Mr Grant said the Board ought to i know vshereit stood ia regard to the woik done by the Marine Department. Mr Southey moved — Ths t the Marine Department be communicated with as to the possibility of obtaining a m re adequate dridge fur tho purpose of continuing the woik of dredging j The Narrows, as the present one has, ! according to the engiueer's repor f, proved inadequate for ihe work, anu that this resoluaou ba jjliced before the Minister for Railways. Mr Adams said ho had pleasure in seconding. He thought they should -push the dredging question so as to j -enable tbe Ngapuhi to navigate the ; pnrbour and later secure the running' \oi the Jiarawa. They should also ; write to the Minister of Marine and [ask for an official report. A dredge, Isuch as the Fxuhiing dredge at fLytteiton, would be very suitable for -this harbour. The cost of hire, however, w^s bsyoud the resources of the Board, but they should ask tho Government for a subsidy. The matter should be placed before Hons. W. H. Herries and W. D. S. Mac donald by a strong deputation. I ho motion was put and carried. At this stage Mr King was granted leave to retire, as he desired to attend the meeting of the Licensing Coinmutce. j; Mr Adini3 moved—That lhe<;leik \\ be instructed, to write to the Minister \of Marine for a full and complete , report of the dredging- work done, the \ effect of that w-cvk, and if it is the I opinion of the Marine Engineer that [ it is on the right line^—Seconded by I Mr Grant and carried. Executive Committee. The Executive Oommi'.tee submitted ja. report as follows : I btaking of the Channel to Te Puna IWharf—The harbourmaster was duly to carry out this work and If the- limber Company was asked to I 1 supply 4x2x12 ;ahaky heart timber \\toi the stakes—The harbourmaster | 'reports that the Company agree to do I? this. Silfe Accumulation in Channel to Te Puua Wharf—Th-3 ■h.arboiunia&ter report that Mr Sharplia will join him oa a suitable occask-nafrlow water during the placing of the stakes, and together they will determine what is required— The harbourmaster will again report. Mr Brain's offer for Fly and Pinion Wheelr-The Committee decided that Mr Brain's off ti* be declined, and that the article in question be stored inside the shed for future use by the Board— This has baen done. Mr S. Asuton's Application for Lease of Reserve —The Committee recommended that Mr* Ashton be informed that this reserve is alteady leased by tho Board to Messrs Guinness Bros., renewable yearly and that ho be referred to that firm. The Board understands that the firm is prepared to negotiate '.Petition from Mr 8. lahfcon and othars to Erect a Landing Stage—-1 he Committee recoixuneucled that the petitioners be informed that it is not advisable to grant ofii.i tl permission. Mr Ada-ns moved—That the report ba adopted. —Seconded by Mr Graut, who congratulated the committee on the preparation of the report. The motion was carried unanimously Harbour Improvements. Mr Lally suggested that one of the Board members might be sent to Lyttleton, Timaru, Oamaru and other places to make observations in regard to harbour improvements and report to tho Board. The information would 08 of value to the Board. He proposed that Mr Grant bo asked to make the trip on behalf of the Board. Mr A dams addressing Mr Lilly: Do you include expenses ? Mr Lally : ordinary expenses. Mr GilL admitted there was. neel for improving the harbour. It was a question as to the best means to be adopted. He suggested a consultation with a marine engineer. H9 seconded the motion. Mr Lally said Ms object in making the proposal was to further matters in connection with the Empowering Bill. Mr Gill suggested that Mr Metcalfo, who had charge of the Whakatane Harbour improvements might visit Tauranga at small expense and give a report. Mr L'jchhead maintained they wanted a report by a good engineer. Mr Southey said his opinion was before they set about development of the barb air thoy should engage an expert. Mr Adatus said before doing anything they must exteni the* harbour district are*. Their main object should be to get an Extension Bill passed. Suppose they had the best

! engineering advice they could do noI thing until they could finance. - I The Chairman snd it was premature to spend money until they knew their area. 1 ' Mr. Loch head-said they wanted an engineer's report as to the best method to be adopted in improving the harbour. He considered they could set about improvements if the people in the present district were united. Mr .Grant thanked Mr Lally for prop?sing him. He thought it was i 'he right..thing to delay the matter. ! They had a report and had takeD I Si>undingF. What elso did they want ? I Mr Gill: We want that report I confirmed } Mr Lochhead : That i 3 so. I Mr Grent s=>ia recently a dredge had I been purchased in New Zealand for j £12,000 and taken to Melbourne, where it was doing good work. He was obtaining particulars in regard to cost of a dredge and would' give the information to the Board wLea he received it. Mr Adams reiicrated that they should p:oc:ed with the Extension i Bill and be ready with it for the next session of Parhatneot. Mr Lally said his object waa to get practical information teSlore e^bt rising on any scheme. Be was opposed t6 ; expenditure untii they were sure of ; the position If the Board d. sired he had no objection to holding the mat er over. The Chauman suggested that the 1 question b^ held over till next meeting, s and this was agreed to.