HARBOUR BOARD.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15486, 13 January 1916, Page 4

HARBOUR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING

Tho Lyttelton Harbour Board met yesterday, there being present Messrs M. J. Miller (chairman), H. Fricdlandei F. Horrell, T. D. Bong, C. Ailison, J. Stony, J. J. Graham. J. J. Dougall, It. M. Speirs, H. F. Nicoll, Geo. Scott, Dt. Thacker, M.P., and Hon. R. MooreTho Harbour Improvement Committee recommended that no action bo taken at present to provide additional grain Storage accommodation in Lyttelton. Tho committee had considered tho engineer's report with reference to the recent firo at Lytteltpn,- and recommended : (a) That the' brick store at the dock bo used temporarily for the storage of inflammable oils, and- that the engineer bo requested to report on tho matter of erecting a permanent bond, (b) That the New Zealand Shipping Company bo approached to institute enquiries into tho .origin of. the reccnt fire, (c) That in recognition I the valuable service rendered by members of'tho Board's staff in suppressing tho recent firo at Lyttelton, they be paid for their services at. overtime rates, (d) That the question of payment for the services of and loss of wuges by the Lyttelton Volunteer Firo Brigade" bo deferred until tho next meeting of the committee. The committee had defrVred consideration of the cost of elections pending receipt of additional information' regarding the cost of conducting Harbour Board elections at tho other chief centres. The Committee had authorised the payment of £ for £ subsidy on all sums subscribed by the Board's employees to tho "Public Services Queer." in connexion with the forthcoming Carnival to be held for the purpose of raising noaey in aid of tho Canterbury Patriotic Fund. A letter was received from Messrs Reese Bros, .asking that the Government war tax duty of 1 per cent, in respect of ironbark piles ar,d timber foi No. 6 jetty should bo paid by tho Board. Mr Graham moved-that half the amount involved (£120) should be paid 1>- tho Board, which Mas agreed to. Messrs Lufaro and Sons applied for" a renewal of their lease of No. 7 fish chamber for a further twelve months. Dr. Thacker suggested that the cool storage at Lyttelton should be extended in order to encourage the work of the trawlers. If the business worked up insulated cars could be put on, and a cheap and plentiful supply of fifiu could be made available for the people of Christcliur h. Ho wou:d be glad if the engineer could make a report on the subject. -Tho motion, which was seconded by Mr Speirs, was carried. Tho following notice of motion, given by Mr Graham, came before the Board— "That tbc jetty at New Brighton be attended to and that all previous resolutions repugnant to this bo rescinded." The Chairman _ said the wharf was now perfectly safe, and would not require attention for at least two years. Mr Graham agreed to withdraw his motion. Messrs Miller Bros., shipwrights of Port Chalmers, applied to lease the graving dock for a term of years. The Board decided to refer the matter to the Harbour Improvement Committee. The District Engineer of Public Works wrote, submitting his valuation of the Board's properties at Sumner, the amount being £ISIB. Tho secretary stated that ho had offered to eel! the properties to the Sumner Council for the sum named. Tho secretary's action -was approved. The Special Committee set up to consider tho tender for the supply of uniforms for tho dredging staff, reported having accepted W*. Strange and Co.'s tender of £125 lis Id.