HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7161, 29 October 1884, Page 3

HARBOUR BOARD.

The regular meeting of the Aacklaud Harbour Board was held yesterday afternoon. Present : Mr. G. Aickin (Chairman), Mr. W. R. Wad del (Mayor of Auckland), Messrs. Devore, Winks, Niccol, Lamb, Owen, T. Morrin, J. Reid, and J. M. Clark. Nobthcote WHJBF.-llr. Thomas Seaman intimated that the Board of which he was Secretary would hand over £60 asked for by the Harbour Board towards the extension and repair of the Nortkcote Wharf, and asked that the work might be proceeded with as soon as possible, the extension being increasingly needed.—The Chairman moved, " That the Engineer prepare plans and specifications for the work."—This was agreed to. —Mr. t-eaman, Clerk to the Northcote Road Board, intimated that Mr. G. N. Brassey had been appointed to take charge of the whatf in that district.—The appointment was confirmed. Calliope Dock.—A. "Van Brackle applied for the catering for the men employed at the Calliope Dock norks, guaranteeing the tables to be kept clean and comfortable, and subject to the approval of the Board. He specified his charges, and offered testimonials of his fitness for the position, and securities. —It was agreed to inform the applicant that the Board could not .entertain the application. I Calliope Docs : Engines, &c.—Mr. W. Errington, acknowledging receipt of memo., sent his estimate for engine pumps, boilers, engines, and boiler house, chimney caisson, hauling gear, capstan, and other works necessary to fully equip thedockfor service.—There was objection taken to the details being made public, and the Chairman explained that in order to have full information for the Board he had asked to have an estimate of the cost outside the specifications.—The consideration of the letter was, -on the motion of the Mayor, postponed till next meeting,—The Chairman moved, That no harbour dues or wharf duties be charged on material required for the wharf."—This was seconded by the Mayor and carried. Mr. Ross and the Harbour Board Buildings.—Mr. Eoss, the architect for the Harbour Board Offices, sent a long explanatory letter. He offered to give all the assistance in his power, the full and free use of all plans in his office.—Referred to the Works and Tariffs Committee.

Waikato Timber Company and Totara Piles.—The Secretary wrote that prior to receiving notice of cancellation of contract they had most of the. piles ready for delivery at the bush, Waotu, but owing to the lo»v state of the river were unable to get them down. _ They were now in a position to deliver, and wished to know if the Board would accept them at the contract price, as considerable expense had been incurred in getting them,—The Engineer reported that the contract was for S6 piles, ranging from 4S to 55 feet. The Board are not at present actually wanting piles, but under the stated circumstances he thought the company might be allowed.to supply 50 piles. —The Secretary said none of the piles had been delivered in contract time. The completion of delivery was to be ia July, and since then their agent had withdrawn their deposit, and so closed the contract.—The Chairman moved that the Engineer's report be given effect to.—This was seconded by Mr. Lamb, and carried.

Mechanics' Bay, be Reclamation.—Mr. C. Y. O'Connor telegraphed that it cannot be determined at present how much land will ultimately be required for the railway, but it is probable that all tbe land taken by proclamation will sooner or later be wanted. This was a reply to a telegram sent to the Minister for Public Works.—The Chairman said it was evident the Government intended to take the whole, or nearly the whole, of the reclamation in Mechanics' Bay, but there were several things, including a road, which they should consider, and he moved that the matter be referred to the Works and Tariffs Committee, who are also to consider the claims for compensation. Works and Tariffs Committee.—Re application from Waitemata Bowing Club, for shed site : The committee recommended that as soon as the Hobson-street reclamation was finished, the required accommodation be granted. Re lettar from Mr. Fenton, as to erection of protection for pleasure boats : The committee recommended that the consideration of the matter be deferred, and that the Harbourmaster be aeked to report on the most Buitable site. Re sheds and the letter from receivers : It was recommended that the time for closing be extended to six p.m., and that no alteration would be made in the payment for overtime for storekeeper. Re Northcote Ferry: The committee recommended erection of an office. Re shed accommodation and receiving and delivering of goods : The committee recommended that on and after the Ist January the Board assume the receiving and delivering of all goods on the wharves on the south side of Auckland harbour, and that the details be referred to this committee to report upon.— The report was adopted as a whole, except that there was an amendment to the sth clause, that the receiving should be either by the Board, or let by them to some contractor.

Fikance Committee.—Tho report of this committee was read, and the following statement of accounts, &c., was submitted: — Payment of account? : General account, £600 153 lOd; loan account, £350: total, £950 153 10d. Statement of funds : General account : To balance in bank, £4361 03 91 ; cash in hand, £154 S3 3d : total, £4515 9s. By accounts to be paid as above, £600 15s lOd j co balance, £3914 13s 2d ; balance in bank, £2SII 17s 9d ; accounts for payment, £350 ; total, £246117s 9d. Caali on deposit, £132,000. —The report was adopted as read. New Offices—The Engineer reported that the contractor had as many men now employed as could profitably work, and showed a desire to complete the work as speedily as possible.—lt was agreed that the Engineer should prepare specifications for gas, water, and sewage pipe's. There was also a inemr>. from this officer re dredging at Victoria Wharf, which was referred to the Works and Tariffs Committee. Eancitoto Rkkf.—Captain McKenzie not beiDg present, the motion standing in his name was allowed to stand over. Allotments in Customs-street.—Mr. Niccol moved the re3olutiou standing in his name, as follows :—"That the allotments in Customs-street from Gore-street to Break-water-road, and those on the east side of Breakwater-road facing Customs-street, extending to the.railway, be subdivided and leased by public auction."—Mr. Clark asked Mr. Niccol to withdraw his motion, as although the boundaries were prescribed by Act, they were not tho right ones, and it would be premature to offer them, and those to the east would bring better prices when the Emily Place works were completed.—Mr. Niccol, howover, preferred that an amendment should bo moved, and that something should be done to improve the property, but Mr. Lamb said that the fimiiy Place works were accomplishing this purpose.—The Chairman said i£ there was a demand now for allotments, they might feel the market, and fir ally Mr. Niccol withdrew his motion with the permission of the Board. This concluded the business.