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

salaries until after the next meeting of the Board. They recommend that an opinion be obtained from Mr Napier Beil as to whether the reducing the width of the lower steps of the graving dock would affect its stability, or the use of the dock. They also recommended that the Board authorisethe calling for tenders for the supply of the following timber required for the repairs of the wharves and jetties during the current year -. —Black birch, decking, abojit 56,436 ft super: iron bark, for floor beams', etc., about 4184 ft super. Further they recommended that subject to the concurrence of the rtailway Department. Mr John Anderson be allowed to occupy a small strip of land in front of Lots 16a and 16b, now leased to him, on condition that lie paid rental thereon in proportion to that which lie paid on the abovementioned lots. The report was adopted with slight amendment. A letter was read from the Sinking Fund Commissioners le Harbour Board bonds payable in London being liable to pay death duties in the colony. The Stamp Department demanded death duties on bonds of the Board belonging to estates of persons dying in England, and having property in the colony. Although the Board's bonds were receivable and redeemable in London, they were receivable in New Zealand alone. It. therefore, appeared that an estate owning bonds, and owning also property in New Zealand, was liable, while an estate owning bonds and no property was exempt. The letter was referred to the Finance Committee to report upon. It was reported that the Bank books on the table showed the current account to "be in credit £3860 17s 3d, and No. 2 account dr. £235 Is 9d. • Accounts amounting to £1400 16s 9& and £2035 12s lOd (dredging account) were passed for payment. The Chairman reported that he had written to the Colonial Secretary in connection with the extermination of rats in the stores, that the Board had always considered it its duty to destroy them in the interests of fanners. The action was approved.

A letter was read from the Government Cool Stores at Port Chalmers, asking if the Board could take in frozen rabbits. The Chairman reported that this could not be done.

The secretary of the Wellington Harbour Board wrote stating that the Board had been compelled to stop work on the day of the Licensing Election, and pointed out its effect on steamers running to local ports. He asked how tho Board interpreted the Act, as his Board considered concerted action should be taken. The Chairman commended the matter to the attention of Mr Buddo and Mr Laurenson, with a view to getting the Act amended. The matter was eventually referred to the Harbour Improvement Committee. The New Brighton Borough Council wrote drawing attention to the bad state of the old riverbed channel. It «'as decided to reply that the Board recognised no liability. Thursday, May 3rd, was fixed for the next meeting.

Various matters relating to the dredge Manchester were discussed, and the Boird adjourned.