THE HARBOR BOARD

Evening Star, Issue 6099, 28 September 1882, Page 2

THE HARBOR BOARD

The ordinary meeting of the Otago Harbor Board was held this afternoon ; piesent, Messrs K. Ramsay (chairman), R. Wilson, A. H. Ross, A. Burt, W. Bridgman, H, Guthrie, R. Paterson, J. Mill, and H. S. Fish, M.H.R. Mr J. Mill moved—“ That as Mr Fish had returned he should be re-appointed a member of the Works Committee.”—Mr Ross seconded the motion, which was agreed to. petition. A petition was received from firemen and others employed by the Board praying that they should be allowed LI per month extra or allowed to leave off work at one o’clock on Saturdays.—Referred to the Works Committee. CORRESPONDENCE. Messrs Thomson Bros, wrote stating that they intended to start a fishery company, and asking the Board to obtain them a site in Dunedin for a smoke-house.—Mr Fish, in moving that the letter be referred to the Works Committee for favorable consideration, expressed the opinion that it was quite obvious that to the citizens of Dunedin the supply of an important article of food fish waa extremely short, and the prices almost prohibitory. If it was in the Board’s power to do anything to help those who had the courage to go into deep-sea fishing he thought they should do so. —Mr Ross seconded the motion.—The Chairman mentioned that Mr Thomson had arranged with the Harbor-master to attend the Works Committee’s meeting, and point out what site would be the most suitable. He agreed with Mr Fish that they should offer the proposed company any facilities in their power.—Mr Fish having expressed the opinion that if the company were formed the Corporation would take steps to establish a fish market, the letter was referred to the Works Committee, with power to act, WORKS COMMITTEE. The Committee reported on remits as follows Letter from employes Dredge 222, asking for an increase of pay.—The Committee cannot recommend an increase. Jetty accommodation, Port Chalmers.—The secretary has been instructed to write to the Government on this subject, as referred to by the. Harbor-master in his last report. In accordance with the Harbor-master’s suggestion the Engineer has been authorised to place the Priestman’s dredge in commission to work in the Victoria channel. The Harbor-masters request that steps be taken as speedily as possible to enable Jetty street wharf to be utilised, has been referred to the Engineer to urge the Government to have the long-promised connection of the railway with the jetty accomplished. The Engineer’s recommendation for the construction of six new punts with accompanying complement of boxes having been approved, alternative tenders (wood and iron) were authorised to be called for and are due this day.

The following resolution has been handed to the Engineer, viz.“ That the Engineer be instructed to present to a meeting of the Works Committee as speedily as possible a report showing how and by what means he proposes to carry out the works in the Upper and Lower Harbor comprised in his report of Bth June, 1882, such report to state what new plant (if any) is required for the purpose above stated, and also in what respect (if any)— Judging by events which have transpired since date of above report—such works can bo modified without detriment to the scheme as a whole or the interests of the mercantile community, having in view the amount of money at the disposal of the Board; and also upon the basis that not more than L 66,000 per annum be expended in the prosecution of such works; and further, upon the understanding that the reclamation of the areas in Jetty street and between Rattray street wharf and proposed southern side of the dock, be a prominent feature of the works to bo executed.

On the motion of Mr Fish the report was adopted. Mr Ross thought that dredging at the new wharf opposite Stuart street should be undertaken as soon as practicable, with a view of relieving the traffic in Rattray street as much as possible. The Chairman having suggested that the matter should be brought up in Committee, it was allowed to drop. FINANCE COMMITTEE. The Committee reported as follows : Mode of Collecting Dues.—Your Committee have gone very fully into this subject, and the more they have examined into it the greater the necessity appears that some arrangement or mutual understanding should be come to with the agents or masters on the subject of the burden if a very considerable staff is not to be incurred for the measurement of all goods and the collection of dues upon same, before any goods ore allowed to be shipped. If the Board tre driven to such a course, then the shippers also must have a staff to check the measurements and pay the dues forthwith. The consequent result may be easily foreseen—viz., that the dues upon export goods must be materially increased to cover the cost of an increased staff, and in addition there will be the increased cost of their own shipping staff, and, what is more serious perhaps, the Inevitable delay and bickerings that must take place in the shipping of goods as compare! with the present mode of landing at all hours and seasons, either day or night, most suitable for the vessels. To owners of steam vessels the latter consideration la a most important one. The whole subject, however, is one of such serious import that your Committee before reporting definitely on the matter have resolved to defer doing so till next meeting, hoping that before that time some common ground, equitable and reasonable, may be hit upon, so as to prevent any unnecessary burdening of trade or hindering despatch of shipping ; at the same time that will secure the Board from suffering loss in their revenue by leaving doors open for the evasion of payment by unscrupulous persons making use of mere technical objections—dangers which your Committee see are imminent if the dues are only to be collected after receiving copy of the vessel’s manifest, the vessel in meantime having sailed with the (roods.

L 200,000 Loan.—Your Committee have had under their consideration the question of the best and wisest course to pursue in regard to the issue of the new loan, and the preparing and floating of such portion thereof as may be necessary to meet the Board’s present and probable requirements. The Committee having authorised their chairman and the treasurer to have an interview with the Board’s bankers, a letter was forwarded to the manager of the Colonial Bank of New Zealand, and a reply requested in time for this day’s meeting. Messrs Dalgety and Co.’s two letters and claim on behalf ef and owners of the ship Glenmorag. —Your Committee see no ground for any such claim as made, and recommend the Board to decline acknowledging any liability in the matter.

It having been agreed that the correspondence referred to in the last clause of the Committee’s report should be taken in committee,

Mr Ross moved the adoption of the report. Mr Fish, in seconding the motion pro forma, expressed His belief tbat the only satisfactory mode of collecting dues was to throw the onus on agents of ships. If the Board could legally say that agents must do so there would be no question they would soon find a way. He regretted that the Committee had not grappled with this matter.

Mr Ross intimated that the Committee had invited their solicitor’s opinion on the matter. That was the reason why a definite report was promised for next meeting. The Chairman thought it would be found impracticable for agents of vessels to collect dues. It seemed to him an extraordinary thing that the Board should attempt to shunt on to the merchants work they should do themselves. He did not believe the Act would allow the Board to make it compulsory on agents to collect dues. Mr Wilson could not see why dues could not bo collected by the owners of vessels. They had facilities f( r collecting the dues, and could do it much cheaper than the Board could.

After further discussion the report was adopted. engineer’s report.

The Engineer reported that the maintenance period for Dredge 222 and also the time for which the two engineers were engaged having expired, he recommended the re-appointment of these officers.—Referred to the Works Committee. AN INSPECTOR OF MACHINERY. Mr Burt moved—“ That a competent engineer be appointed to act as inspector of works and machinery, to supervise the whole of the works in progress, to have full control over all workmen both on shore and afloat, and to report weekly to Mr Barr and the Works Committee.” Mr Wilson opposed the motion. There was no recommendation from the Engineer in favor of such an officer being appointed. Everything had gone on satisfactorily since they had dispensed with the last Inspector of Machinery.

Mr Paterson moved— “ That the matter be referred to the Works Committee for their report.” He agreed that as the Board were about to become involved in important works an experienced supervisor would soon have to be appointed. Mr Ross seconded the amendment. He thought that the Board ought to let well alone, for the present at anyjrate. The amendment was accepted by Mr Burt, and agreed to. MISCELLANEOUS. Accounts amounting to L 2.065 6s Id were passed for payment. Tenders for punts were received and referred to the Works Committee to report. Two tenders were received for buckets for the New Era, and the Works Committee were empowered to accept the lowest (trustees in the estate of Davidson and Conyers, L 265 55.) The Board then went into Committee.