HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume X, Issue 2797, 15 January 1873, Page 3

HARBOUR BOARD.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board was held yesterday afternoon, at the office of the Board, Queenstreet. Present: Messrs. W. C. Daldy (in the chair), H. S. McKellar, S. Jones. T. Macready, P. A. Philips, J. Casey, W. H. JCissling, J. T. Boylan, H. Isaacs, Henry, Niccol, and J. Cruickahank. Minutes.—The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Leiteks Sent.—A list of the letters sent since last meeting was read. Letters Received. —A letter wa9 read from Mr. 11. Niccol, secretary to the Auckland and North Shore Steam Ferry Company, drawing the attention of the Board to the present scarcity of wharf accommodation for the North Shore steamers. It suggested the erection of a stage on the south side of the Queen's warehouse.—Referred to the Wharf Committee. Docks. —A letter was read from Mr. J. A. Smith, of Napier, offering to supply a hydraulic lift for vessels.—The secretary was instructed to write to Mr. Smith, and to inform him that the Board did not intend to get such a lift at present. Wateb. —A letter was read from the Town Cierk, requesting to know what income was derivable from the supply of water to the shipping.—The matter was referred to the Wlmrf Committee to report upon.

Mb. AViliums's Election.—Letter read from the Mayor, stating that Mr. Williams had been illegally elected, and enclosing a lelter from the Superintendent on the same subject.

Erection of Shed.—Application made by Mr. Waller, of Custom-house-street, to erect a shed on tho premises leased by him.—Mr. Waller was referred to Mr. Anderson, the Cily Inspector. Crane.—Letter from the Clerk of Works on the necessity of better craue accommodation, and stating that there was a five-ton crane lying idle at Wellington, which could be procured for £120. Mr. Taylor of that placo had written to him about it.— A full description of tho craue was read. —Referred to the Wharf Committee, with power to act.

Buoys and Beacons.—A report of Capt. Burgees, Chief Harbor-master, on this subject, was read. It stated that one or two buoys and beacons were requisite up the river.—The report wus adopted. Signallinck—Report of Mr. Seed, oi fthe Customs, on this subject. The report oxplained the system of signalling adopted in Southland, and stated that models of the signals as used there were forwarded to Capt. BurgßSS.—A report of this latter gentleman was read.—Capt. Burgess thought the only satisfactory way of signalling was by having an electric wire from Tiritiri to the North Shore, or into Auckland. Captain Burgess did not approvo of the mode of signalling recommended by Mr. Seed.—The matter was allowed to drop for the present, the Board deciding that they were not in a position to go to the expense of putting down telegraph wires.

Debentures. —The report of the Debentures Committee was brought|up with formal memoranda of investment for foreign investors, and other documents, the gist of which has been previously publiehed. — On tho motion of Mr. Philips, seconded by Mr. MoKellar, tho report wus adopted, and it was resolved to act upon it forthwith. Accounts.—General accounts to pay, £151 15s 8d ; permanent works accounts to pay, £43 9i 8d ; general account, balance in bank, £824 143; cash in hand,s £1 4s 10d. Permanent works: Balance in bank, £2741 5a 2d; accounts to be paid, £500. The financial •tatement of the Board for the last year was laid before the meeting. This has already been published—Mr. Casey said he hoped that during the present year the item port charges would be abolished. —The accounts were then adopted.

CIiEKK op Wobks , Bepobt.—This report was read. It showed what was being done.

Habboe - mastjje's Ebpobt.—The same may be said of this report. Neither it nor the previous one were of any public interest. They were the annual reperts, and went over matter previously published. . OyyiCHES , Salaries.—The salaries of the. permanent officers were fixed for the ensuing year. The salary of the Clerk of Works was increased bj £50, making the ealary now

£350. The salary of the shipping clerk on the wharf was increased by £50 a-year.

Mb. Williams Re-elect bd.—Mr. Macready proposed, "That Mr. Thos. Williams be elected to the Board, in place of Mr, Benjamin Tonks, resigned."—Seconded by Mr, Casey.—Members of the Board expressed their opinion that the clauses relative to filling up vacancies in the Board should be altered, while the Chairman thought that a new Act was required altogether. Another Vacancy.—The Chairman etaled that Mr. Heather having been absent from the Board for more than three months, had ceaied to be a member. He could, however, be re-elected. —The matter was allowod to stand over until the next meeting, in the hope that Mr. Heather will" have returned by that time. Tkndees fob leonwobk. —Tenders -were received from —. Pierce, Norman McMillan, and James McEwen. The tender of Mr. McSwen was accepted. Mb. Dempsey's Bond. —The Chairman stated that this contractor's bond had been executed.

FinjLncb Committee. — The Chairman moved, " That, in accordance with Mr. Isaacs' requost, his name be removed from the Finance Committee." Agreed to.—The Chairman moved, " Thnt Mr. Cruickshank's name be added to the Finance Committee in the place of Mr. Tonks, resigned; and that the name of Mr. Kissling be substituted for that of Mr. Isaacs." —Agreed to. Watek Supply.—The Chairman moved, "That the Wharf Committee be authorised to expend a sum not oxceeding £200 for the purpose of boring for water on the property of the Board, with tho view of obtaining a supply of water for shipping." He said he bad no doubt that water could be obtained by boring. £200 would bore down to a distance of 300 feet.—Mr. Macready said there was a well at the bottom of Albert-street which was already sunk to a distance of 80 feet.—The Chairman wan of opinion that there were large quantities of water in the quicksands and scoria formation in different parts of the city.—The resolution was agreed to. The Main Skwee. —Mr. Isaacs moved, " That some definite arrangement be arrived at respecting tho expense of cleaning the main sewer." He asked that tho matter be allowed to stand over for tho present. Port Chahges.— Mr. Casey gave notice of motion to abolish port charges on Aucklandowned vessels. This was all the business, and the meeting adjourned.