HARBOR BOARD.

Press, Volume XLIV, Issue 6923, 1 December 1887, Page 6

HARBOR BOARD.

The usual meeting of the Lyttelton Harbor Board was held at 2 p.m yesterday. The members present were —Messrs Tosswill, Wright, Parsons, Peryman, Westenra, and H. Allwright. Mr Wright was voted to the chair in the absence of t'he Chairman.

Apologies for non-attendance wero re ceived from 6he Chairman (Mr P. Cunning ham), Messrs F. Graham, aud C. W, Turner.

The following letter, addressed to the Secretary, was read: — " Dear Sir,—Be good enough to ask the members of the Lyttelton Harbor Board, who may be present at the , meetiag on Wednesday next, to excuse my attendance and accept this written report of the business for the meeting. Since the last report very few matters have come under my notice as Chairman. The members will be glad to know that the revenue continues to justi fyour expectations for the year, and that our annual accounts will show a slight increase over the estimate you made for the guidance of the Board. The Hoard will notice from the Bank-book that the interest on debentures—£6ooo—was remitted to England by last mail. To enable this to be done, I had to obtain from the Bank a temporary overdraft, which will be fully covered before the end of the year. I think we must ask the Government to remit promptly the amounts due to us for wharfage, and arrange not to have an overdraft when the accounts come up before the Auditors. Sums amounting to £3105 10s 4d have been collected since the last meeting, ■viz.:—

Pilot and port charges .. £490 13 10 Towage, storage, ate. .. 202 12 3 Wharfage .. .. .. 3412 i 3 The Baak book will be on the table for the information of members. You will please have the accounts examined by a member of the Finance Committee and passed for payment. I think the business relating to the Auditor's fees and the overdraft, together with the tug reports for the month might well be referred to the Harbour Improvements Committee. The staking of the river Avon has now been completed. There are two matters in reference to which I wish you to submit to the Board the solicitor's opinion, and to draft resolutions empowering the Harbour Improvement Committee to deal with the questions, .viz.':—(l) The amendment of the Storage By-Laws in one or two minor points; and (2) The extension, if deemed necessary, of the Port of Lyttelton. In looking carefully into the latter question, I think it is quite likely that our present powers will be found ample, as the entrance to the Heathcote, I take it, would mean the bar, which is already within the radius now included in our limits. However, if there should be any doubt on the matter the extension of half a mile in the radius would meet all requirements. Members will observe that we have advertised wool storage, but so far have had no applications. I have not yet heard whether the Government intend to place a sum on the Estimates to recoup us the outlay in connection vith the Gladstone Pier sheds; but if they do the money will probably be available before the end of the year. The towage returns, electric lighting returns, and the storage report for the past.. month will be laid before the "Board as usual. Enquiry was made by the Auclcland Harbor Board whether this Board would let or sell the steam-hopper barges. The reply sent will be read. Since then we have heard

nothing further on the matter. • ? "P. Cunningham, Chairman." Some, discussion ensued as to the Board not being overdrawn at the end of the year. The Chairman said the Secretary would bear the matter in piiud, and bring the question before the Finance Committee. The report of Mr Mcln'tyre as to the storage during the month in the shed of the Board was read. He reported that the deliveries had not been large, and a good deal of grain still remained in store.

The correspondence with reference to payment of fees to the Auditors was brought up and referred to the Finance Committee.

Several "matters with reference to by-laws as to storage were referred to the Harbour Improvement Committee, with power to act. . After passing accounts to the amount of £0782 Is fid, the Board adjourned until December 29th.