TARANAKI HARBOR BOARD.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 181, 5 December 1881, Page 5 (Supplement)

TARANAKI HARBOR BOARD.

The Harbor Board met on Wednesday.

RESIGNATION OF MEMBER.

Mr. Kelly, before the business of the Board "was proceeded with, wished to state that it was his intention to resign his seat at the Board before he proceeded to Wellington. He believed that it was an expression of opinion that it was incompatible that a member of the Harbor Board should be a member of the House of Eepresentatives at the same time. That was his opinion previous to being elected a member of the Harbor Board, and it was at the request of a large number of ratepayers that he had allowed himself to be elected. He entirely agreed with the opinion of the public, and he would accordingly place his resignation in the hands of the chairman before he went to Wellington.

INCREASE OF SALARY.

An application was received from Mr. Driscoll asking for an increase of salary to «64 per week as from the month of June laßt.

Eesolved, "That Mr. Driscoll receive £4> per week from the 30th June ultimo, and that he work his full time at the Harbor works.

An application was received from Mr. Best for an increase of salary. The matter was referred to the Works Committee.

APPOINTMENTS.

Mr. Bundle moved, and Mr. Dingle seconded, " That Mr. G. Ehind be appointed Eesident Engineer, at a salary of £400 per annum ; and that Mr. Thompson, C.E., be appointed Consulting Engineer, at a salary of £300 per annum, subject to previous resolutions appointing these officials." A letter was read from Mr. Ehind, stating that he would take steps to obtain a Certificate of Membership of the Institute of Civil Engineers.

The Chairman said, that in accordance with instructions received from the Committee, he had seen Mr. Thompson, and made arrangements as to his acceptance of the office of Consulting Engineer, at a salary of .£250 and actual travelling expenses. He had agreed with Mr. Thompson that instead of his receiving ,£250 and travelling expenses, he should receive £300 per annum without travelling expenses. !Hzafc Mr. Thompson should make four visits to the Harbor Works during the year, each visit to extend from five to ten days, and that in case of special visits Mr. Thompson be allowed £2 per day extra. Mr. Dingle stated that Major Atkinson said he would not be satis, fied unless the Board appointed a Eesident Engineer. Mr. Kelly said he thought it was necessary to appoint a properly qualified Consulting Engineer in order to satisfy the members of the House of Eepresentatives that the works would be carried out efficiently. He found that members daring last session urged as a serious objection that the Board had no properly qualified engineer in charge of the works.' & The Chairman said that Mr; Thompson had been recommended to

the Board by the Engineer-in-Chief of the colony.

Mr. Carrington said that Mr. Thompson had first-class testimonials.

Mr. Bayly bhougitb ib would, he better to appoint Mr. Thompson Eesident Engineer, at a salary of £500, and the Board would then have the benefit of his services during the whole year instead of only a few days in the year. My. Torke proposed that Mr. Thompson be appointed Chief Engineer of the works at a salary of £500.

Mr. Kelly explained that as Engineer-in-Chief, Mr. Thompson would have full control of the works, and would be over Mr. Ehind. The Board, therefore, in appointing Mr. Thompson as only Consulting Engineer would still leave Mr. Ehind in sole charge of the works.

Mr. Dingle said that Mr. Ehind had threatened to leave and go home to Scotland if any any one was appointed over him at the works.

Mr. Bayly said that Mr. Bhind had come to the colony as foreman of works, and he had no cause to complain as he was now in sole charge of the works. If the members thought fit they should appoint one over Mr. Ehind when it was necessary to do so. If the members were of his opinion they would let Mr. Ehind go back to Scotland.

The BoaTd then divided on the amendment moved by Mr. Torke, with the following result: — Ayes (2) : Messrs. Torke and Bayly. Noes (7) : Kelly, Davidson, Carrington, Dingle, McLauchlan, Eundle, and King. The amendment was accordingly lost, and the original motion put and carried.

On. the motion, of Captain. Davidson, it was resolved, " That the Chairman, Mr. Carrington, and the mover be authorised to sign the agreement with Mr. Ehind, appointing him as engineer at a salary of £400 for the remainder of the term of his original agreement with tie Board."

Mr. Bundle moved, and Mr. Dingle seconded, " That the arrangement made by the Chairman with Mr. Thompson, C.E., be agreed to, viz., that he be appointed Consulting Engineer at £300 a year, including travelling allowance j and that he visit the works four times a year and report fully to the Board on the condition of the works, and that for special or emergency visits, he be paid at the rate of two guineas a day." — Carried.

COST OP WOBK.

In accordance with notice previously given, Mr. Bayly moved, " That stock be taken on Thursday, Bth December, at the harbor works, to ascertain the cost per yard for cement, making blocks, and laying them: also, that three separate accounts be kept — first, quarrying stone and putting the same in trucks ; second, crushing stone and making blocks ; third, laying the blocks." — Mr. Kelly seconded the motion, which was carried.

ACCOUNTS.

Accounts amounting to £129*7 were passed for payment. The Board then adjourned. — (Abridged from Herald.)