HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7975, 15 June 1887, Page 6

HARBOUR BOARD.

The Harbour Board held their ordinary fortnightly meeting yesterday afternoon at the offices, Quay - street. There were present: Messrs, Waddel (in the chair), Lamb, Henderson, Laßocbe, Nicco], Phillipps, "Winks, McKenzie, Devore, Stone, and Clark. Depositing Rkfuse at Freeman's Bay, —Mr. P. A. Philips, Town Clerk, wrote, asking for the information of the City Council whether the Board would have any objection to tho deposit of city refuse, street sweepings, &c., in Freeman's Bay, in such places as might be pointed out, and which it was intended to reclaim from the sea. The letter was referred to the Works and Tariff Committee, the engineer to report upon the matter. Siltinb-up or Harbour. —Mr. John Coom (Resident Engineer New Zealand Railways) wrote stating that the silting-up of that portion of the harbour east of the Frozen Meat and Storage Company's reclamation, and opposite the railway station goods yard, was rendering the timber booms, lately erected at considerable expense, practically useless. It had been suggested that the silting was due to the discharging of sewage into the harbour at the Railway Wharf; and Mr. Coom requested that the Board instruct that the portion of the harbour referred to be dredged to a sufficient depth to enable the booms to be used at most states of the tide. The chairman stated that the engineer had some time ago been instructed to clear the silt at this part of the harbour. He moved, "That the approaches to the booms be cleared on the terms asked for, and that the engineer bo instructed to adjust the cost chargeable to the City Council." Messrs. Haywood and Martin's Deposit.—Messrs. Haywood and Martin again wrote respecting their deposit of £100, which had been forfeited through an error in tendering. They urged the Board to reconsider the matter, stating that in consequence of reverses whioh had been met with, the losing of this deposit would bear very hard upon them. On tho motion of the Mayor, it was agreed " That the deposit be returned to Messrs. Hey wood and Martin." Jubilee Illuminations.—Mr. J. B. Kilian wrote respecting this matter. The Chairman considered that the offises might be illuminated, taking into account their prominent position near the harbour. After some further discussion, it was resolved, " That the chairman be empowered to spend a sum in illuminations, the Board declining to expend any money In transparencies." Insurance of Employes.—A letter was received from the New Zealand Acoideut Company, who submitted the terms under whicli they were prepared to grant insurance of the Board's employes. Referred to Finance and Legal Committee. Protkcting Wall.Mr. J. W. Oldham forwarded an application for permission to build a retaining wall at the foot of his property, Ring-street, Ponsonby, in order to prevent loss by the encroachment by the sea. The chairman moved, "That on Mr. Oldham submitting a survey approved by tho Board engineer, the request bo granted." The Pilot Service. —The Wellington Harbour Board wrote asking information regarding the present system of working the pilot service at Auckland. It was agreed to forward tho desired information. Miw Title.—Mr. E. T. Dufaur wrote ou behalf of Mr. Henry Niccol, requesting that the Board take steps to prepare a fresh title for the land at Devonport leased to that gentleman by the Harbour Board, since the present title was defective. Resolved, "That the application be declined." Borinu Rods. —Mr. John Lamb wrote, enclosing a letter which he had received from Messrs. M. and S. Hunter, Mercer, requesting the use of the reserve set of boring rods, as the search for coals was about to be undertaken in that district. It was agreed to grant tho request, on the necessary security, &c., being given. Calliopk Dock. — The usual reports having reference to the progress of work at Calliope Dook were submitted and received. The Chairman remarked the astonishing progress which had latterly been made with the work. The reports were received, the Engineer to be requested to advise as to the retaining of the services of the second inspector, since the works are now neariug completion. Works and Tariff Committee's Report. —The committee recommended : —That the Rangitoto beacon be painted as follows: Cage and staff black, white on western face, anil red on north-eastern and south-eastern face of beacon ; that Messrs. Stevens and Haslam be informed, with respect to silt punts and reclamation works (1) that, as the the Board do not at present intend increasing the dredging plant, their offers are declined, and (2) that when the Boaid is in a position to proceed with the reclamation of Freeman's Bay, the method suggested by the engineer bo adopted, viz: Tnat tenders be invited for reclaiming the whole of the Bay for a lump sum ; that closet*, etc., be erected at Graving Dock ; that the City Council be requested to cause the work of filling and metalling at Hobson-street to be done as suggested by the engineer, the work being within the boundaries of the city ; that the plans and specifications for jetty off buttress No. 2, Quay street, bo referred to the Board to reconsider the principle of the construction of the wharf; that plans and specifications bo prepared, and tenders called for the construction of an open shed on the eastern toe of Queenstreet Wharf; that the report re grid, iron for watermen's boats be referred back to the engineer for reconsideration; that the specifications of contracts for annual supplies be approved as amended ; that the further consideration of the amendment of standing orders be deferred until next meeting, and that proof sheets of proposed amendments be printed and circulated amongst members of the committee. The Chairman suggested that the members of the Board visit the eito of the proposed jetty at Quay-streot, a plan of which was laid on the table. Mr. Niccol objected to the erection of the proposed open sheds at Queen street Wharf, as their presence there would cause serious inconvenience owing to tho want of room. He thought that the Harbour Board should have the r->- >» »bibility of taking charge of goods discharged from steamers on wharves under their control—(no, no) —and should appoint a competent officer to take care of these goods. The erection of the sheds would not remedy the present difficulty. He thought that sheds should be built on Hobsonstreet wharf, where steamers would discharge, and the goods be placed under cover, awaiting the convenience of consignees. He moved, "That the clause be referred back to the committee for further consideration." Mr. Lamb did not agree with Mr. Niccol. He did not see that the shed, which would have a 30ft span, would interfere with the traffic. Toe Union Company's steamers, when they had discharged their cargo, rushed away again, the goods being lett exposed on the wharf to the serious inconvenience of shippers, and a considerable quantity of property had been continually destroyed owing to the want of suitable covering for cargo. The Board had a right to protect the property of those who paid wharfage dues ; and the shed had been recommended by men whose opinions were worthy of consideration, since they were everyday employed in business on Queenstieot YVharf. and could decide whether the erection of the proposed shed would take up too much space. He advocated the charging of Id per ton upon goods discharged from steamers, in order to cover the coat of the necessary protection. The Chairman stated that the estimate of the proposed shed was £660. Mr. Niccol'a amendment was carried, aud the report, aB thus amended, was adopted. Finance and Legal Committee's Report.—The Finance and Legal Committee authorised the payment of accounts to the amount of £854 5s 2d. The loan account ; was as follows :— Mr. W. Errington, Calliope Dock, £50 ; general account, Quaystreet Wharf, £1657 4s 9d ; general account, i Calliope Dock, £07 7s Id ; Messrs. Fraser and Son, Calliope Dook, £513 : total, £2287 lis 10d. The committee recommended:— i That the amount of £8000 now on deposit i be paid into current account when the de- 1 posit note matures ; that the present oocu- ; pants of shed D, Queen-street Wharf, be allowed to remain in temporary occupation < at existing rents ; that the further considera- I tion of the question oi letting the houseß on . pilot station be deferred. The report was 1 adopted. > No. 2 Wharf. —A letter was received i from Mr. J. C. Firth, who pointed out the necessity for despatch in the construction of ] No 2. wharf, opposite his mill now building. < He anticipated that the mill would be ready I for work in September. The engineer re- I ported that the plana were now completed, i and could be sent to Wellington. On the I motion of Mr. Lamb, it was resolved, 1 " That the plana for the new wharf be i

amended, and that the system of building wharves in use before Mr. Maogregor took service under the Board, be again adopted." It was agreed to instruot Mr. Macgregor to amend the plans, The Dredger No. 121.Mr. John Scott, sailing-master Dredger No.' 121, wrote intimating that he was willing to renew his engagement with the Board on the expiration of the present term, ending on June 22. He suggested that he should have charge of the dredger, and thus avoid difficulties at present existing. The engineer reported that, in his opinion, the sailing-master should have control, and recommended several arrangements, and an amended scale of wages. It was resolved to call for tenders for spare gear for use on the dredger. Mr. Niccol moved, " That all the employes on Dredger No. 121 be discharged, with a view to engaging them on different terms." He considered! that the scale of payment should be by results. This motion, with Mr. Soott's letter and the engineer's report, were referred to tho Works and Tariff Committee.