HARBOR BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 6537, 29 February 1884, Page 4

HARBOR BOARD.

The following concludes our report of yes terday’s sitting of the Harbor Board :

LOCAL INDUSTRY. The following letters were referred to the Chairman and Engineer :

Dunedin Ironworks, Willis street, 28th February, 1881, To the Chairman Otago Harbor Board.

Dear Sir, —We regret to hear that the Board have decided to send Home for now buckets for dredge 222, without giving local manufacturers an opportunity of supplying same. We arc fpiitc prepared to supply any buckets that may be required, quite equal in quality to any or the imported ones, and quite as suitable for the work for which they arc required. Wo think it a pity that the Board should send Home for buckets when they can get them made li re equally as good, and wo would respectfully ask the Board to reconsider the matter before tending the order Home, and we shall be only too pleased to send you an estimate for any buckets wanted, and will guarantee that the price docs not exceed that of the imported ones.—We arc, etc , 11. S. Sparrow and Co. Vulcan Foundry, Great King street, Dunedin, February 28,1884. To the Chairman Otago Harbor Board, Dunedin.

Sir,— ln i'll buckets for dredge No. 222. Noticing by recent reports of the Board’s meetings that they contemplate sending Home for buckets for dredge 222, and feeling confident that the buckets can fie made as cheaply and as good in the Colony, we would respectfully ask that tenders be obtained here before deciding the matter. We arc assured it will bo worth your while, and that a substantial job will result. Hoping you will accede to the proposal—-We arc, etc.,

Kincaid, M'Qcken, and Co.

KXUINEER’s KEI’OKT.

The following report was read

I have the honor to bring the following matters under your notice Contract for Foundry Work.—Messrs Kincaid, and Co.’s tender for the year expires in April, so that it will be necessary to prepare new specifications and invito tenders for the next year. I propose to divide the work into the Upper and Lower Harbor, and have a separate contract for each. Messrs Sparrow and Co.’s Old Account. —This is for work done in July, 1882, and was for parts of dredge New Era which frequently require renewal; and this work was done in anticipation of those requirements, Messrs Sparrow and Co. then having the annual contract. The rates charged are in accordance with that contract, but though the sums set against each work Becm high I have no moans of demonstrating that, there now being no officers in the Board’d service who bad the »iipexvietoa of it, Some of the parte have not

been required yet, as the dredge Was laid up for a very long time. Tho amount is Ll9B 10s 3d, and As we are unable to prove that this is in any part an overcharge, 1 ain of opinion that tWe Board should pay it; though 1 cannot recommend this with the same confidence as if jfnad had personal knowledge of the work. The account is forwarded along with this. Messrs Kincaid, M‘Queen, and Co.’s Account,—Two accounts from this firm for work done to the vUlcan and dredge 222, in their general overhaul and repair, amounting in all to L 711175, have been sent in to the department; but as they reached me too late for examination and passing to you in the usual manner, they are npt yet ready for submission to this meeting. As it would bo a hardship to keep that firm out of the whole of this money for another fortnight, I would recommend a progress payment of 80 per cent, of the amount, or LSCB. Increase of Pay to Master of Dredge hew bra.—As the master of this dredge is now doing the 'work previously done by the engineer, in addition to the usual duties of the master, I would recommend that he bo paid LlB per month instead of LI 6, there still being a considerable gain to the Hoard. A voucher has been prepared for the cktra L2, and submitted for your approval,—l am, etc., George M. Barr, Engineer. TENDERS. The following tenders were received for a toptumblorforthedredge: Kincaid, M'Queon, and Co., L 37 15s; LI 8s 9d per cwt for fitting shaft, etc. Sparrow and Co., L 67 10s; weight of lumber, 30cwt, at L2 5s per

cwt; Palmer, Booth, and Co.—Referred to the Engineer. reports. The reports re repairs to Rattray street wharf and the new dock, as already published, were adopted. NEW OFFICES. The Chairman repeated that he had inspected several buildings with the view of obtaining new offices for the Board. The City Council Chambers might be obtained, but they were apparently too far from tire principal scene of the Board’s operations. A site for new offices had been set apart, and it might be advisable to erect a building instead of paying rent. It was resolved—“ That a suitable building be erected for the offices of this Board) and that a Committee consisting of the chairman, Messrs Wales, Cargill, and J. B. Thomson be appointed to have plans prepared, and report as to a suitable site.” TOWAGE charges.

Mr Elder moved—“ That the present scale of'towage charges be revised. He spoke at some length to show that as gross and iniquitous a differential Tate existed with regard to towage charges from the Heads to Port Chalmelrs, as compared with towage charges froth the Heads to Dunedin, as ever Was charged oh the Port Chalmers railway wharves. He concluded by moving the appointment of a committee to inquire into the matter. The original motion only wes agreed to. THE ASSISTANT secretaryship. Over one hundred applications, received for the office of assistant secretary, were refeired to a special meeting of the Board, ACCOUNTS, Accounts amounting t0L3,47F13s 9dwere passed fur payment.