HARBOUR BOARD.

Evening Post, Volume LVIII, Issue 149, 21 December 1899, Page 6

HARBOUR BOARD.

» The monthly meeting of the Harbour Board was held this afternoon. Present — Messrs. J. Hutchebon, M.H.R. (chairman), T. Gale, W. Bootji, N. Reid, H. Cook, W. Cable, H. Btaut<hamp, and Hon. F. H. Fraser. Mr. J. G. W. Aitken took his seat for the first time as Mayor of Wellington. The bank books showed the state of the accounts to be as follows: — Current Account, debit balance, £5095 4s 3d ; Imprest Wages Account, credit balance, £400 ; on fixed deposit, £38,000. The following accounts were parsed for payment : From London, account., £79 3s; for accounts and wages, £8,987 2s 4d ; for salaries for December, £461 18.s 6d ; for progress on contracts, £1,203 12s lOd. . The Chairman reported that since the last meeting of the Board 'cheques had been drawn amounting to £346b 15s to meet part of the charges incurred in the. compensation, case of Sample v. Board, where Mr. Sample was awarded £3425 for his properties and £73 costs. He moved tliat the payment be confirmed. Carried. He al.so reported that the seal of the Board had been affixed to the two warrants to Mr. C. H. I'/Aird to sue in actions taken to obtain possession of land in the Grainger-street block, and moved that the action of tho Legislation Committee in affixing tho seal be approved. Carried. It was resolved, on the recommendation of the Wharves and Accounts Committee, to grant a foreshore license to Messrs. A. and C. Crawford for a wharf at Evans Bay on terms similar to those contained in th© Hautrey Bay license, and on approval of detail pla-ns by the Engineer on behalf of the "Board. The granting of a foreshore license for a boathouse and bathers' dressing rooms at Kavaka Bay to Mr,. E. V. Senn was held over pending a visit being made to the locality by the Chairman and Secretary of the Board. ' " ' " * The Legislation, Committee reported that they recomntericl in the matter of the Grainger-street Block — (1) That the resolution of the Board 1 pass'eil on "the 20' th October, '1898, reading — "That the unimproved value of ail properties acquired be treated as an asset in the Board's books, but that the value of -ill improvements and the expenses in connection "with the working of the scheme be written oIY to working expenses, ' be rescinded, and that in lieu thereof it be resolved — "That there be charged to the Special Fund Account tho total cosl of the properties taken in the Grainger-street Block, together with all expenses in connection wan the acquisition and working oi that property." (2) That the seal of the Board be affixed to (a) transfer of land to Mr. John Rod, (b) memorandum of lease to Mr. John Rod, and (c) transfer of land to Mrs. Evie Kennedy. The report was adopted. It was decided to grant the usual permission lo the Wellington Amateur Swimming Club to hold swimming* sports at the Queen's Wharf on Anniversary Day. In Committee the Board opened two tenders for four hydraulic cranes, and decided lo accept the lowest (from a Wellington firm), if found to be in order. It was also decided to give the Sccietary power to appoint a marine engiuuer lo take charge ol the Board's Uuireh. The Legislative Committee reported thfil i( had eH'cctcd another coinitromisc i with regai d to claims in the (!iain<;eri street Block. This leaves the Bimd with only three claims to Kettle. The Board then rose,

Tluj olei-lion for the Olaki seal will l:ike placi* next S:iLurcl;iy i'orluiglil, tho (sth January. i Tlio Conciliation Board met this afternoon and presented its recommendations in the drivers' dispute. Ilis Excellency the (jovcrnor, who has been in town tor a day or two in connection with the Hxeculivc Council bitMiicss arising front the re-assembling of Ministers returned to Waikunae by this afternoon's train. Mr. J. 11. Williams, who controls the tug and ferry service in Wellington harbour, returned to Wellington by the Roloiti la*l night, after a seven months' trip through England and America. lie was accompanied by Mr*. Williams, sen., and they had a most enjoyable holiday, part of which was devoted to business. Mr. Williams was unsuccessful in getting v new steamer for tho proposed extended ferry service across the harbour. Both in England and America the prices were abnormally high, and builders could give mguarantee of when they could complete contracts. On all sides there wa« ample evidence of prosperity in this branch of industry. It is r probable that Mr. Williams will now place a contract for building the vessel he requires in Australia. It is almost certain, from advices received' by the San Francisco mail, that we were correct in our assumption lliat Hie steamer " Karamia," recently mentioned in a cablegram as being about lo sail from London with an enormous load of. explosives for South Africa, is the ♦Shaw, Savillo, and Albion Company's now steamer Kimmea. According to the advices she was on the berth for South Africa when the mail left. The Hospital authorities acknoAvledge with thanks the following contributions to the patients' Christmas fund : — Messrs. Savgood, Son and Kwen, £2 2s ; Anonymous, £2 2s ; E. Morris, £1 ; Davis ami Clatev, one parcel of children's caps ; Sharland and Co., parcel containing bottles of scent ; R. Ilolliday, parcel toys ; D.1.C., parcel to the value of £2 2s ; the Misses Rhqda and Lulu Thompson, box of dolls' clothe". Nearly one hundred years ago the art of the in compilable Gainsborough was the fago in England. For years ihis beautiful miniature work, like ladies' wardrobes, went out of fashion, but it is now revived. Mrs. W. I. (Jrawlovd, of the South Kensington Portrait Company of Ladies, is exhibiting spme of her miniat.ure work at the ({old and Silversmith Depot. Lambton-quay. The likenesses aro faithful, and the execution artistic. "After the holidays Mrs. Crawford will open a studio in the National Mutual Buildings. A "very special" meeting of the Wellington Drivers' Union will be held at '.he Trocadero to-morrow evening. Mr. W. F. SShortt t will sell at his ntr.fl -to-morrow, a gentleman'M outfit and effects, particular of which are advertised. Tho sale of choice pot plants by Messrs. George Thomas and Co. which should ha\e taken place, on Wednesday at tho Fruit Market, Harris-street, is now arranged for to-morrow, at 1.30 o'clock. The lirl comprises some choice varieties of climbers, table decorations, etc. Tho Christmas «lock of Mr. .). D. Chisholm, watchmaker, Cuba-street, is now complete, and ho claims that it is the finest selection he has ever had for value and good designs. Messrs. Maedonald, Wilson and Co. sell on the ground, (4rainger-strc.pl, to-morrow afternoon, at 2 o'clock, building timber, including doors, Kasltes, window frames, 400 sheets galvanised iron, etc. The time-table of excursions to ] Jay's Bay during tho Christmas holidays, pub--lifihed in another column, phows that a daily service, will be maintained from (Saturday till Wednesday. Parlies on the look out for electro-plate or cutlery suitablo for Christmas presents or presentations aro particularly requested lo havo a look through the large and varied assortment of rfirst-clasß novelties in plutcd ware shown by (xeorgo Winder, ironmonger, Lower Cubu-slreel. They will find they can do much hotter than by going to self-styled wholesale, or soft, goods houses, where you aro charged ntoru titan retail prices for inferior goods which are generally imported for hawkers and tho thirdclnca trade. All our plated waro is manufactured by well-known makers, and every article is guaranteed. Fenders, firo brasses, bedsteads, fillers, lamps, boys' bicycles, airguns, pocket knives, and various iinos suitable for Christmas prosente, all at reduced prices during Hie sale. — Aclvt.