HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5355, 15 January 1879, Page 3

HARBOUR BOARD.

ANNUAL MEETING. Tjie annual meeting of the Harbour Board was held yesterday. Present: Mr. J. T. Boylan (Chairman), Captain McKenzie, Messrs. A. Isaacs, J. C. Firth, W. Thome, J. Casey, Masefield, T. Hill (Customs).— The Secretary read a telegram from the Secretary of the Customs Department, asking the Board to fix a day for the first meeting of the new Board, and referring them to section 52 of the Harbour Act, IS7S. A reply had been sent, advising the Minister of Customs that this day had been fixed, and to this a communication had been received intimating the Governor's assent.—The Chairman said that in accordance with clause 52 of the Act, the whole of the members i xccpt the ono appointed by the Chamber of Commerce would go out of office on the 10th February.—Mr. McKenzie then proposed, that Mr. J. T. Boylan bo re-elected Chairman of the Harbour Roard until the 10th of February.—The motion was seconded and unanimously adopted. Accounts. —The annual statement of accounts, as audited, was laid on the table, also the Chairman's and Treasurer's reports. Reports.—The annual reports of the Engineer aud the Harbourmaster were also laid on the table. From the latter we extract the following: — "There are no casualties to report, and the immunity from accident which tke smaller class of vessels now enjoy, compared with previous years, may be attributed to the excellent shelter that now exists between the Queen-street aud Railway Wharves up to Custom-house-Btreet, and any contraction or diminution of this water-space must materially affect shipping interests, unless similar and adequate accommodation is provided elsewhere. As it is quite natural to suppose that shipping will increase, and not decrease, with the growing importance of this port, consequently, there should be increased accommodation for the safety and convenience of shipping, and not a diminishing of that which now exist?, and which is capable of further improvement. That the reclamations do, and have caused an increased silting up of the south shore of the harbour in the vicinity of the wharves, there can be no doubt, as, on Tuesday last, the mail-boat City of New York could not get fairly alongside the Queeu-street Wharf until the flood-tide had made considerably (and the tide was but moderately low that day). See previous reports on silting up of harbour. Having, in addition to my other duties, been appointed Dockmaster for the new graving-dock, I have to state that I took charge on the 19th August last, and that up to the 31st December twenty-two vessels, whose Aggregate tonnage amounted to 4119 tons (the largest vessel being 557 tons register ; draught of water, 11 feet G inches ; tho smallest vessel was 27 tons, draught of water 4 feet G inches) have been docked: the time occupied by each vessel being respectively from one to eight days, or in all sixty days. The greatest depth of water that has been on the dock-sill, at high-water, spring tides, is 14 feet 10 inches ; but once only, and therefore cannot bo depended on for docking vessel*, 13 feet to 14 feet being the average. At high water, neap tides, there has not been less than 11 feet G inches, just sufficient to float the caisson ; but as lower tides do occur, and as much time is lost m docking light-draught vessels at other times, in consequence of the heavy draught of the caisson, I would respectfully recommend that the water-ballast chamber (which is too small) be enlarged, so as to reduce the stoneballast by 12 to 15 tons. If this is done, tho caisson could be lightened to about 10 feet (if so required), which would not only admit of small vessels being docked earlier on the tide, but considerably reduce the amount of pumping that now takes pl-ce."— Appended to the report was the following pilotage return for 1577 : —lnwards : 100 sailing vessels, '41,-27 tous, £511 3s Gd ; G steamers, 21S5tons, £IS3s 10d. Outwards : 102 sailing vessels 37.7G0 tons. £4j3 Is 3d ; 7 steamers, 22G7 tons, £1S Gs Gd. Annual Pilotage Under Exemptions: 15 sailing vessels, 490G tons, £122 13s; 14 steamers, 4309 tons, £71 lGs 4d. Mail Service—lnward ; 20 steamers, 00.210 tons. Outwards: 2G steamers, G0,210 tons. Po»t Charges: 19G steam and sailing vessels, 55,52S tons ; £llGGs2d. This concluded the business of the annual meetiuL'. ~ ORDINARY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Board was then held, the same members, with the addition of Mr. Brown, being present.—The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. j.r.w Member. — A memorandum from the Town Clerk of the Borough of Parnel! was read, intimating that Mr. W. Coleman had been elected Mayor, and that li* would consequently be the member for Parnell on the LI arbour Board. — A letter was also re : ceived from Mr. Coleman, excusing himself : for not being able to attend the meeting that day. Timber Company's Whaiik.—A letter was received from the manager of the Auckland Timber Company in reference to the proposed wharf, stating that the company had no objection to the wharf being a public wharf for foot passengers, and subject to the ordinary harbour regulations.— An opinion was received from Mr. J. B. Russell, the Board's solicitor, on the subject, stating that the Board could not make i any arrangement with Mr. Holdsliip. It was not so much a question of law, as of j conserving the rights of the public.—The , correspondence was referred to the Works ! Committee to consider.

Bank Account.—A letter was r**ad from the Manager of the Bank of New Zealand, intimating the formil alteration in the Board's account, in compliance with tho provisions of the new Act. Hokitika Harbour Board.—The Chairman of the Hokitika Harbour Board wrote, forwardlug the annual statement of that Board, and requesting that the annual statement of the Auckland Board might be forwarded to him.—The Secretary intimated that it was the custom to forward the annual statement to all the Harbour Boards, and it would be done in this instance.

Loan.—A letter from tho secretary of the marine department was read rc the raising of loans and the steps necessary to be taken. —It was referred to the Finance Committee to cousider.

Dock Enotneer. —Mr. Errington, dock engineer, wrote declining to accept £100 in payment of his claims on the Board, and claiming £376, or at the rate of £75 per month for the extension of time (beyond two months, which he had himself recommended) granted to the dock contractors. The letter gave full details, and it was referred to the Works Committee to go into tho items categorically.

Works and Endowments Committee. — The minutes of a meeting of the Works and Endowments Committee were read and approved. Finance.—The ordinary statement of accounts was read, including the following :— Payments (general account), £4605 l(b 3d. General Account: Balance in bank. £587 10s 2d ; in hand, £4 17s 9d : total, £592 7s lid. By accounts ordered to be paid, £102 Is Gd ; leaving to balance, £490 6s sb. Loan Account: Balance in bank, £7810 2s 7d.

Reclamation:—Mr. MsKenzie was to move, " That the Minister of Works be respectfully requested to submit to the Board for its approval the plans of the proposed reclamation between Queen-street Wharf and the Breakwater Road." He intimated his desire to withdraw the motion, and leave was granted. Returning Officer. —The Chairman, in accordance with notice, moved, That Mr. H. Ridings be appointed Returning < officer, under the. Harbour Board Act, IS7S."—Mr. Isaacs seconded the motioH, and it was unanimously agreed to.

Votes ok Thanks.—The Chairman intimated that the various annual rrporta were laid on the table. He explained tho constitution of the new Board, stating that the present Board would go out c,f office on the 10th of February. During hia term of office as chairman, he had to testify to the assistance he had received from the heads of the departments, the secretary and the harbourmaster. The secretary had done more than his duty, for ho had given hia time to study the Acta and make himself acquainted with them. He had great pleasure in moving a cordial vote of thanka to the heads of the departments, and could aay that during hia term of office he never had cause of complaint.—Mr. Isaacs, in seconding the resolution, also testified to tho zeal and naaiduity of the Board's officers.—The motion was carried unanimously.—Mr. Firth said there was still another duty they had to perform, —that was, to thank their chairman for his services. Owing to the provisions of the new Act, he was ODly re-appointed until February ; and, although it might seem awkward to offer him a vote of thanks, now that he was re-elected, still, although a, young member of the Board, ho conld not allow the opportunity to pass _ without asking the Board to testify their appre-

ciation of his conduct as chairman. The business was of a complicated nature, and required great careandbuainess capacity. He therefore a%ked the Board to give the chairman a hearty vote of thanks. —Mr. Hill seconded the motion, and it was unanimously agreed to.—Tho Chairman said he was very much obliged to the Board, but he considered he would be walking about in borrowed plumes if he did not acknowledge his indebtedness to the officers and heads of departments. The meeting then terminated.