HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 77, 8 December 1887, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

Thb Board met on Tuesday evening. Present: The Chairman (Mr Siev-

wright), Major Porter, and Messrs Clark, Chambers, Dickson, Townley and Matthewson. Mr Matthewson apologised for the absence of Mr McDonald, who had been unable to attend. DiscHASonrs cemknt, A letter was received from Messrs Graham, Pitt and Bennett, stating that the cement on the Lochnagar Would be removed at the Board's risk if not discharged by a certain date. The Clerk said be had replied to the effect that there was an agreement with Mr Johnston to have the discharging done, and the Board would not interfere in the matter. Mr Dickson asked if Mr Bristow had made any arrangements in the matter. The Clerk said he had not, but he had conversed with him on the matter. Prom the conversation it seemed that the captain of the Lochnagar did not Care to have the stuff removed until he got some wool on board. He believed it was altogether the ship's fault. The Chairman : Ido not think we have got anything to do with it. WSASVA6Z ON POTATOES.

MtD. M. Ort wrote asking for a remission of £1 18» fid, excessive wharfage charged on a consignment of potatoes The Wharfinger sent an explanatory letter, saying that as potatoes wore not included amongst the articles of special weight hehad always charged according to the Union Company’s manifest at ten sacks to the ton. Mr Chambers considered that the Wharfinger was right, in the absence of instructions, to go by the ship’s measurement It would be better to refuse this request, but the Wharfinger might be instructed to count potatoes at twelve bags to the ton instead of Matthewson said they had the option of charging either way—ten bags by admeasurement or twelve by dead weight. . . It was decided on the motion of Mr Chambers that Mr Orr’s request be not acceded to. There was some discussion as to whether it would not be advisable to substitute twelve wacks instead of ten. Mr Dickson considered the best method of collecting the wharfage was the one adopted by Mr Witty. He also pointed out that this was an incentive to people to grow potatoes instead of importing them. A motion that twelve bags be allowed in future was proposed by Mr Chambers, and seconded by Mr Townthe motion —Mover, seconder, and Mr Clark. Against—Chairman, Major Porter, Messrs Matthewson and Dickson. diving. Applications were received from J. Jones (Waipawa) and Gobbett (Spit i for employment as divers.—Referred to Engineer. The Engineer said be bad received tn&nv similar applications. Mr Dickson asked if they required divers yet. Tha Engineers Not until we get into deep water.

JCTTAL contbact. Mr Knox wrote, asking for assistance from the Board in extending the tramway to the Island. Mr Dickson said the contractor bad taken the work with his eyes open. Nevertheless, as tha work would eventually have to be done, the least they could do would be to allow the use of material provided the work was made of a permanent nature. The Engineer said he had offered Mr Krox the use of rails, but he also Wanted sleepers. He had given him some sleepers, but on condition that he should pay for them unless the Board eame to any terms with him. The Chairman said it would practically amount to relieving Knox of more or lees of his contract. It might auit the Board to do so. Mr Clark wanted to know if it would be a permanent line, suitable for subsequent use. Mr Matthewson thought they should meet Mr Knox. The line would eventually have to be laid, and they should ensure having a first class, permanent work—if the contractor made it on his own account, it would be as temporary a structure as he could do with. He thought they should also have the plates laid by the Boards experienced plate-layers. The Chairman said they eould do nothing then as they were only going on chance, and Mr Townley moved that the matter be referred to the Engineer, to report on at next meet was agreed to. The contractor a'so applied for a refund of a portion of his deposit. It was decided to refer him to a clause in the specifications, which stated that he might have part of the deposit refunded on the work being well in hand and to the satisfaction of the Engineer.

ExonrEEa’s bepoet. The Engineer reported as follows: — Tbs concrete blocks at the end of the viadost ware finished on ths Ifith Nov., and we commenced erecting the block -setting machine the following day. Since that time very good progress baa been made, and almost all the framins, except the tie rods, is now in position and the rivalling is going on. The roofing has been pot on the sand pump and a plank fixed round the bulwarks, giving abont ten inch* s more -ide. We have about 350 bleaks made and stacked in the yard. The Steamer Balcarrea Brook came to the roadgtead last Saturday morning with 2000 casks cement from Johnston * Co., and got away on Monday evening, having discharged her cargo. Soundings wrre taken and a sketch plan prepared for a -mall jetty to be used by the Bnark. Mr Somervell, wh se tender was the lowest for the prorosed addiiions to the boat jet'y, i forms me that he sent in a price for fixing steps to the p.esent jetty. The Utter must have gone ast: ay as it did not reach me. It wns s?reo<l that a sum no exceeding £lO should be expended in repairs to the wharf. Mr Chambers ti ought they should leave the question of a landing stage over until they knew the fate of the Harbor Bill. No doubt radical changes would have to be made very shortly in * th* wharfage accommodation, and

they would soon be in a position to say whether they could divert the loan to such works.

After discussion it was egreed to leave the matter over until next meeting, when the Committee should bring up a report as to terms, conditions, etc, The Chairman said that £35 had been given as a rough estimate. HABBOR-MASTEIt’s BEfOIlT; BT-tAWS. The Harbor-master made his usual report, also pointing to the fact that the ships refused to pay fees. It was decided that a Committee of the whole Board (three to form a quorum) consider the whole question of the by-laws, a special note being made of the Harbor-master's complaint. ACCOUNTS. The following accounts were passed for payment :—

Mr Townley considered the charge for inspecting the boilers was excessive, but considered that the account might be passed, and a remission might afterwards be obtained.

Weighbridge keeper £1 0 0 Wharf account ,. 3 9 0 Inspector of Machinery 7 0 0 Deposit Account .. 60 0 0 Johnston <t Co. 1808 14 9 Parnell & Co. .. 2 14 6 Gas Company .. 11 0 6 Grady .. .. 8 11 0 H. Partington .. 0 7 6 Brown and Smail! 27 6 9 Wingate, Burns, & Co. 80 14 10 Wages Account 210 14 10 Wharfages 41 9 7 B. Knox «. 27 0 0 Total £1727 3 8