LYTTELTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10624, 6 April 1900, Page 2

LYTTELTON HARBOUR BOARD.

The Lyttelton Harbour Board met yesterday. ' Present—Messrs E. d. Wright (chairman). Waymouth, Radeliffe, Laurenson. M.H.R., Dunlop. Brown, Cor.nal, Pitcaithly, Buddo, Gibbs, and Captain McC.atchie. Leave of absence was granted to Messrs Rennie. Day, and Kaye. The Chairman reported that since the last meeting the following sums had been paid into the Board's account at the Bank of New Zealand: —Wharfage £1495 2s Id, pilotage and port charges £938 7s sd, towage, storage, etc. £712 3s bd; total £3146 lis lid. The Chairman referred to the journey of Captain Clark to Thursday Island re the dredge Manchester, and said he had saved his expenses to the Board. Captain Clark's report on the matter was approved. Inspector Derbidge reported on the cost of lengthening the tunnel mouth jetty. An extension to 550 ft would cost £6367, and to 600 ft £7367. The report was referred to the Harbour Improvement Committee. Inspector Derbidge also reported that the gangway planks for shifts in the docks were od. and needed replacing; 630 ft of Oregon pine would be required and 2500 ft of red pine would be needed for sheathing the deck of Xo. 7 jetty. It was decided l to order the timber. A supply of carbons and lamps requisitioned for -was passed. Mr Jas. Meikle reported on the condition of the tug's boilers that it was doubtful whether the Inspector would grant a certificate for a further period' without extensive repairs. The Chairman said the Board had not decided whether it would repair the old or obtain a new one. A new tug would cost £11,000, and the repairs to the present one about £4000. The matter was discussed at length. Mr Corinal, supporting the immediate ordering of new boilers for the present tug, said that they Avould be ready when required. H£ moved that specifications be drawn out for the repairs necessary to the tug, and that tenders be invited for them. Messrs Graham and Laurehson thought the matter should be referred to the Harbour Improvement Committee. Mr Gibb wanted to know where the money was to come from, and in reply to him the Chairman pointed out that there would be an increase of £3000 from rates, and the Board had a renewal fund of £5000. After further discussion Mr Connal withdrew his motion, and tho matter was referred to the Harbour Improvement and Finance Committees.

Mr H. N T . Kalder, who had acted as solicitor to the Board since its incorporation, wrote resigning his position, as he needed rest and had disposed of his business. He thanked the Board and the Secretary for the confidence they had reposed in him.

On tho motion of Mr Buddo, Mr Nalder's resignation was accepted with regret, and a vote of thanks was passed to him for his long services. Mr Buddo moved that the matter of the appointment of a solicitor to the Board be deferred for the present. He pointed out that a special class of knowledge was required, and that the Board would have to employ a special solicitor when shipping matters came up. Mr Dunlop seconded the motion. Mr Waymoath moved an amendment that Messrs Beswick and Harris, who had taken over Mr Nalder's business, should be retained as the Board's solicitors.

Mr Pitcaithly seconded the amendment. Messrs Gibb" and Connal supported the appointment of Mr George Harper, who had already been employed by the Board for town work. After further discussion, Mr .Waymouth s amendment was withdrawn, with the objectof leaving the matter Open, and the original motion carried. The Special Committee re the discharge of tho Lyttelton iborough drains into the inner harbour reported that they met a committee of the Lyttelton Borough Council in Lyttelton on the 29th hurt. After fully discussing the question' at issue, they recommended the Board to accept the sum ol £50 per annum for a period ot five years, to be paid by tile Lyttelton Borough Council for the removal of si'.t and refuse deposited by the Lyttelton borough sewers, which discharge" into the inner harbour. The nightsoil to be removed as at present, and no portion of it to be allowed to find its way into lb® harbour. The Secretary, in connection with this report, read *Jett«r from the Borough Council, offering » paymen* of £50 a year for five years in satisfaction of any claim of the Board in connection with the deposit of any eewage in the inner harbour. The Chairman said the word "sewage" opened the whole matter again. He thought <u» agreement had been- «m» to, hot the Council had evidently since consulted their solicitor.

Mr Radteliffe *aid the Council had no intention to evade the decision of the joint committees. After discussion, the report of the Special Committee was agreed to. The Chairman suggested that the letter of the Lyttelton Borough Council should be referred back to them, with the request that tha words "slit or refuse" should) take the place of the word "sewage." Messrs Lanrenson and Kadclifie took upon themselves to withdraw the letter or alter the phrase objected to. Finally, it was decided to forward a copy of the report to the Lyttelton Borough Council, with tho request that they agree to it. . . The Harbour Impi-ovement Committee reported having considered the applications sent in for increase of salary, and recommended increases to date from the Ist April, •1900. They had deferred the further consideration cf the harbour staff and their