HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7539, 19 January 1886, Page 6

HARBOUR BOARD.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual statutory meeting of the Aucklond Harbour Board was held yesterday at noon. Present: Mr. G. W. Owen (Chairman), Messrs. Morrin, Niccol, Aickin, Devore, Mays, and Laßo'che. The Chairman explained that the meeting was called in terms of section 55 of the Harbour Boards Act, The Accounts,— accounts were taken as read, ' and on the motion of! the Chairman, seconded by Mr. Morrin,, they were adopted. Rkphrts.—-The Engineers' and Harbourmaster's reports were also submitted, and the statement of assets and liabilities was submitted and signed. Mr. Aiokin, in reference to the report of the Harbourmaster, moved, as there wore matters that required attention, that it be referred to the Works and Tariffs Committee. This waß agreed to. This ooncluded the business, SPECIAL MEETING. The Quay-street Buttresses.—A speoial meeting to consider the repoift of the Finance and Legal Committee was then held. The recommendation of the committee, in regard to the letter of Mr. Jenkinson, contractor for No, I buttresu, forwarding account for works ia connection with buttress No. 1 off Quay-street, and letter from Mr. Donnelly, dated anuary 15, i having been read, as was also the Engineer's report dated January 15, it was reuolved that the sum of £300 be offered to Mr. Jenkinson . without prejudice, as payment in full of all claims of every description on account of contract for buttress No. 1, to refund him his oash deposit of £200, and also to pay his account against the Board for stone supplied, amounting to £S5 15s, the above otler to include all material now on the ground, tho Board to have the use of steam-engine and pumps for, say, seven days, | free of cost, and that the offer be submitted to Mr. Jenkinson, asking for a reply by ; noon of Monday. On the motion of the Chairman the report was adopted. The Secretary said that immediately after the resolution of the committee he had written to Mr. Jenkinson, and reoeived the following reply : —"Auckland, 16th January : Sir,'--I beg to acknowledge' yours of yesterday's date, and beg in reply to say that although it will be a serious loss to me to accept the amount mentioned therein—viz., £555 15s—I am prepared to do bo, in order that matters may be adjusted, on the following condition: — That the materials on the ground,, cement, sand, metal, and shingle beloug to the Harbour Board, I to proceed with the works required, and to supply the balance of all material and labour necessary, and to receive 10 per cent, on net cost of same. By doing so, it will enable me to complete any contracts that I have entered into for the supply of materials, to complete the contract for which materials I am liable, and to use up 400 casks of cement purchased expressly for the job. To put levves me off the works at a moment's notice, me a large staff of men, horses, etc., entailing upon me much expense. I would also remind the Board that through the alterations made in the plans, I have been delayed two months over contract time. The request for the use of my engine and pump to enable the Board to complete the works is an unusual one, and requires consideration. If I can see my way clear to comply with the request, I will do so, but it will be necessary then for the Board to guarantee me from all loss, injury, and deterioration at los per cubic yard, as if the original contract had been carried out." This letter, the Secretary said, had been referred to the Engineer, who replied :—" I suggest that the question at issue between the Board and Mr. Jenkinson be confined strictly to the payment of the £585 15s already offered, subject, of course, to correct delivery of the quantities of material!) mentioned in schedule attached to my report of the 16th instant, and the use of engine and pump for seven days from the date of signing mutual release of contract. I think the committee have made Mr. Jenkinson & very liberal offer; and, if ho is wise enough to accept it, he will save himself from a loss of at least £500, which he was certain to make on one item alone—momely, 1165 cubic yards of concrete, and to deliver the engine, &c., in (the condition received, at such plaoe as I may specify. The time of commencement of the work proposed to be done to date from tho Bth January, as per account rendered. The above offer is made without prejudice. I shall be in attendance on Monday next, and respectfully request to be allowed to be present at the speoial meeting of the Board, and make such explanations as may appear necessary." The Chairman asked whether the Board would receive Mr. Jenkinson to hear him. Several members replied in the negative, and Mr. Devore said Mr. Jenkinson should eitheraccept the offer ordecline it. Mr. Laßoche suggested that they should ask Mr. Jenkinson up, and ask him aye or nay, whether he would accept the resolution of the committee. The Board generally agreed to thin, but on the specific condition that no discussion should be allowed, and on this condition Mr. Laßoche's suggestion was agreed to. However, on being called, Mr. Jankinson was not in attendance, and on the motion of Mr. Morrin, seconded by Mr. .Niccol, it was agreed that Mr. Jenkinson be allowed until four o'clock to accept or reject the offer, and, in the event of tne offer not being accepted, that the matter be referred to tho Finance and Legal Committee.