HARBOUR BOARD.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 258, 24 July 1908, Page 4

HARBOUR BOARD.

QUESTION OF REPRESENTATION. . LANDING OF TIMBER. Tho Harbour Board met yesterday, when there were present Mr. T. M. Wilford (chairman), Hons. T. W. Hi'slop and T. Kennedy Macdonald, Messrs.: F. H. Frasor, C. Jones, R. Fletcher, F.'G. Bolton, M. Cohen, and M'Ewan. Leave of absence' was' granted to Messrs. J. G. Harkness and E. E. Daniel. Tho Chairman stated that after consultaion with representatives of tho employees; the tender, of Messrs. James Siiiith and Sons had been accepted for uniforms for the 12 months ending June 30, 1909, the tender 1 of Messrs. Charles Hill and Sons had been accepted for uniform caps, and tho tender of Messrs. To Aro House Drapery Co., Ltd.. for, overcoats. / ......

Bank pass books showed the following credit balance Current Account, £31,040 17s. '4d; Imprest Account, £673;- Fixed Deposit Account, £60,000. The payments 'were as follow For accounts, interest, • and : wages; £23,945 : 15s. 9d.; for progress payments on contracts, £3663 4s. lid.; for salaries. ..'for July, £823 ' ss. 7d.: total, £28,432 Gs. 3d. ' ■ ' -, ■ Payments to tho amount set down w?ro approved.; ' It'was decided to-approve tho report of tho J;. Acting:^-,^hginee^, : .remission or £60. deducted by wiy of damages from Messrs. D. Robertson and Co., Ltd., buoys within contract time. ■■'•The-Board- agreed to continue in' its'employment; Mr.'H. G. Clandge,'-first assistant wharfinger, he having attained the ago: of CO years and. to appoint. Messrs." 'Nicholls and V. L. Cachemaillo to retain and invest the proceeds of his'life insurance policy now matured. ■'■■■■■ - ■■>■ POPULAR REPRESENTATION. Mr. R. Fletcher moved, in accordance with notice:— "That whereas it is the intention of tho Government this session to remodel ■ tho constitution of the Harbour Boards throughout , the - Dominion, the 'time : therefore, being - opportune, this Board recommends the Minister in charge of tho Bill to consider the desirability of • representatives on Harbour Boards being elected by tho people on tho basis . ; of.tho municipal franchise.". Mr. Jones objected that tho question was 'a-political ohe, and nothing elso. The Board could not discuss political subjects. Tho Chairman said that the Board had vojod •on an exactly similar motion, in Oc-. tober, 1907, and ho. must rule that it was in order. He did not think that the matter was a political one. It was purely a question of altering the constitution of the Board. " . Mr. Fletcher urged that an important public body should have its representatives appointed by the people, who woro vitally concerned in its administration of'affairs. His only object was to make the. Harbour Board a fully representative body: He thought that the nomination system in regard "to public bodies was a vicious system. The. Wellington Harbour Board had been one of the closest and most , autocratic corporations in the Dominion. . Mr. Bolton seconded the motion. Since tho dues, charged by the Board fell ultimately on'the consumers, the latter should be the persons to decide who should control the administration of the Board. He was not criticising for one • moment the personnel of tho present. Board., / Mr. Fletcher said that that was not in his mind. V .... . Mr. M'Ewan supported the motion, which was adopted.A CLERICAL STAFF. Tho Hon. T. Kennedy Macdonald moved, "That tho Acting Engineer be in- ' structed to prepare , a scheme' by which • the" 'P' Store can be converted into : effective offices for tho use of tho Board's clerical staff and officers and members of the Board." Mr. Macdonald said that the convenience and comfort given' to, the clerical staff were entirely inadequate. - - •Mr.' Jones- seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. HANDLINC OF TIMBER. Mr. Fletcher brought up a question in regard to the handling of timber. Hitherto small vessels had been allowed to put on their own men to land timber and stack it on tho wharves, but he understood that this practice was to bo discontinued, and that tho Board's workmen 'would do the work in future. The alteration would mean increased expense in handling the timber, and would bo a serious blow to the coast-, wise timber trade, which would not bo able to competo with timber'that camo down from tlio country. Ho would like to know what arguments wero advanced for altering tho custom. ,

Tlio Secretary said that it was optional for the Board to do this work by moans of its own labour or allow others to*do it. The alteration had been mado because it was desirable to adhere to ono system. The only objections camo from a few scow owners, and their arguments did not appear to have much weight. The mattor was referred to tin Wharyen and Accounts Committee.