HARBOUR BOARD.

Northern Advocate, 28 August 1913, Page 5

HARBOUR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Whangarei Harbour Board is being held this afternoon, Mr J. R. Reyburn (chairman) presiding. There are also present —Messrs W. A. M. Bain, H. A. Morey, J. E. Holmes, J. D. McKenzie, J. R. Mclnnes, and A. McLeod.

Mr T. Donovan waited on the Board and said he had a complaint to make regarding the license to ply for hire. He made serious allegations regarding the position of har-bour-master, which was held bx a launch owner, plying for hire. He appeared to want to make sweeping allegations regarding the attitude .adopted by the Board. He produced certificates to show that he was cn r titled to command any vessel art >r\ on the coast of New Zealand. "He was not desirous of beating the Board for a palj,ry thirty bob a year. He could got into a pub and spend the amount in a couple of hours." He had never made a stipulated charge for the hire of the launch, but had taken people out fishing provided they gave him all the fish not required for personal use, and that they paid for the amount of benzine used. He only now wanted the Board to take the case to court, where he would fight it.

Mr Mclnnes: Can we take the next business, Mr Chairman? Mr Donovan then left the meeti ag ■with a "Thank you, gentlemen." NATURAL WHARF. When a letter was read from tho Marine Deparjmenk stating that it could not see its way to take ar,yi action with regard to damage t.i the natural wharf at Taurikura Bay several members stated that the Board had apparently no remedy, and the Department refused to take action. It was resolved that the Depart■nent be asked what remedy the Board has to prevent further damage being done to a scenic feature of the harbour. BOILER AND WINCK. Messrs J. J. Craig and Co. wrote stating that the bed rock price for the engine and winch offered by them to the Board was £ 175. The chairman said that the price was within £25 of a new nlant and did not think the Board justified in purchasing the plant offered by Messrs Craig and Co. Several members wanted to know where the money was to come from. The Board's overdraft at the Bank •was £870 and if they paid out an additional £200 they would exceed their limit. It was resolved to purchase a new plant for use at the gantry, the estimated cost being £200. The overdraft is to be increased. (ProceediHg.)