HARBOR BOARD

Evening Star, Issue 14529, 31 March 1911, Page 9

HARBOR BOARD

The Harbor Board were atfll sitting when the paper went to press yesterday. Following is the remainder of the report ':—

—Carrespondenoe.— Alex. Dawes wrote, on behalf of north end owners, requesting permission to exercise horses on the reclaimed land adjoining the cement works.—Conditional permission granted. The Secretary of the Napier Harbor Board wrote asking if the Board had any class of dredge for sale or hire.—Referred to Works Committee.

—Reports.— - Reports of the engineer, of the Works Committee, Finance Committee, and Dock Committee (which hare -been published) were adopted. In moving the adoption of the Finance Committeo's ropoTt, recommending the payment of ordinary accounts amounting to £6,575 Os lid and dock accounts amounting to £B6B 12s 7d, Mr Ross said that he was very pleased that the Board had arranged for tho insuring of tho employees HewM certain that futuro boards would thank tho present one for having completed this matter. Referring to the harbor-master s report, Mr Ross said that, while he was pleased to admit that the Victoria channel was very different from what it was some years ago, ho would like to see more than 18ft depth at low water. —West Harbor Recreation Ground.— In connection with the letter from the town clerk, West Harbor, that the right to tho recreation ground on the'reclaimed land bo given to the Council, Mr Butterfield moved as an amendment that steps be taken to ascertain whether legislation could be passed to give the Board power to retain the reserve and allow it to be used as a-recrcation ground.-Mr Platts suggested that all the Council wanted was contiol of the ground, as Port Chalmers had control of their ground.-Thc amendment, wa* lost and Mr Ross's motion was carried. Tho applications of tho Ravensbourne Hockey and Football Clubs for permission to use tho reclaimed land as m previous years wero granted. —A Question of Charges.— Mr Platts moved—"That the resolution of the Board adopting the Finance Committee's report dated Tuesday, 13th December, 1910, bo rescinded so far as it rekites to clause (1) of tho said report. ine Board had a bv-law, ho said, providing that the maximum charges on any one vessel should not exceed £IBO, but the l-'iinnc) Committeo brought in a new bylaw, the effect of which was to do away with the maximum charge, and make a fixed charge of £SO, witlfa sliding scale of 2s 6d on inward cargo and 5s on outward cargo. The solicitors said that tne new departure was illegal, and if it were brought into force he believed it would keep large ships out of the harbor. The present hy-law was working exceedingly well. There had been more shipping m Otago Harbor during tho last twelve month* than ever before in its history. and he asked the Board to leave well alone, or at least to leave the matter to the now Board.—Tho motion was seconded by Mr Bullock and carried. —Purchase of Timber Supplies.— Mr Belcher rmved—" (1) That a brief and concise report be compiled showing the reasons why tho Board sent one of their officers to "Australia to purchase timber supplies for the Board's works, tho report to set forth the saving (if any) effected by this method. (2) That a copy of all the resolutions passed by the Board or their committees bearing on this subject be compiled, and, with the report, handed to the Press tor publication." His reason for doing so, he said, was because a statement Tiad been made in a local newspaper that too much cf tho Board's work had been done- in committeo and under secrecy. He was satisfied from the knowledge he had of tho facts that there was nothing to which anyone could take exception. Tho fact that the Board had now the cancellation of the contract from tho person who was to supply the timber showed the wisdom of tho Board in sending someono to Australia to arrange about the supplies. Mr Bullock said he was fully in accord with Mr Belcher, except that he did not think that tho Board's private business arrangements should bo made public. Tho motion was lost. —General.—

Mr Belcher moved—"That those portions of tho Board's property on the water front now used for tho dumping of coal in bulk bo improved, either by asphalting, concrete, or timber flooring, or by a proper levelling of the surfaco by mechanical means." He wished to make the work easier for tho men who had to lift the coal. The wharf planking might bo continued from tho edge of the wharf to tho road line.—Referred to the Works Committee, with power to act. Mr Belcher had given notice that he would move that tenders for tho new tug be confined to New Zealand, but before doing so he asked whether tenders had already been invited outside New Zealand, and the answer being " Yes," he .withdrew the motion.

Mr Belcher moved—"That immediate negotiations be again entered into with tho trustees of the Art Gallery to secure a 6ito for Harbor Board offices on the vacant ground on the south side of the Art Gallery, in Cumberland street." —Mr Watson seconded, saying that the Board had been lax in not securing the site before.—Mr Ross objected, stating that the site was not convenient.—The motion was carried.

The secretary of the Board was appointed returning offioer in connection witu the election of a representative of payers of dues.