HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9097, 4 July 1888, Page 6

HARBOUR BOARD.

The Harbour Board met yesterday, when there were present: Messrs. M. Niccol (presiding), T. Morrin, A. Devore, A. K. Nathan, P. Dignan, A. Kidd (the newlyelected representative of the Council), C. E. Button, T. Henderson, C. B. Stone, and Captain D. H. McKenzie.

Tenders.—The Chairman reported that the following tenders had been accepted — Printing, Mr. H. Brett; ship-chandlery, Messrs. T. and S. Morrin; iron and brass casting, Messrs. Fraser and Sons.

New Member.Mr. Niccol said he had great pleasure in again welcoming Mr. Kidd to the Board.

Crossing.—On the motion of the Chairman, it was decided to ask the City Council to lay a wooden cube crossing from the western side of Queen-street to the weighbridge. ' Official List.—The Marine Department forwarded a copy of the official list of ships sailing under the Italian flag, and which had been received from the Wellington Consular Agent for Italy.

Export Charges on Wool.—Messrs. Ireland Bros., W. Sutherland and Co., Warnock Bros., the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., L. D. Nathan and Co., A. Lay bourn and Co., W. H. Colbeck, Potter and Co., wrote protesting against the excessive charges made for export wharfage on wool shipped at this port, and requesting some reduction. The charge was Is 6d per bale. It was pointed out that the charges were about the lowest at any port in the colony, and the Board resolved, " That no reduction be made." Reduction of Fees.—Messrs. George Keene, H. Holbrook, and other watermen, wrote requesting that in consideration of the depressed times the Board would reduce the license fees charged to them. The Chairman did not know how many of the watermen got a living. Captain McKenzie moved, " That the request be acceded to." This was not seconded, and it was then resolved to decline the application. Dredging Work.—Mr. Pierce Lanigan wrote agreeing to perform necessary dredging work at the Calliope Dock, as shown on a plan enclosed. Totara Piles.—A letter was received from Mr. T. H. Smith, Ahi Keheru, who pointed out the position in which he had been placed through being unable to supply totara piles in the time specified in a contract into which he had entered. He had had five months of hard work in getting the river ready, and at the close of that period, when he thought he could at once forward a large supply, the weather became so coH and inclement that he could not get the services of men who would work in the water. It was decided to inform Mr. Smith that the Board no longer required totara piles. Payment for Contract.—Messrs. Heywood and Martin wrote setting out that they had again been delayed in their contract through the non-delivery of about 35 piles, and requesting payment for that portion of their contract now completed. The letter was referred to the Finance Committee, the foreman of works to report. Signboards.—A letter from Mr. Allan Tracy, asking permission to erect signboards at the ferry wharf and coaling station, was referred to the Works and Tariff Committee.

Works and Tariff Committee. — The Works and Tariff Committee recommended: —1. That permission . bo granted to Mr. Oldham to erect a retaining wall at the boundary of his property, provided that the wall be erected at high-water mark. 2. That the Board re-enter upon allotments leased to Mr. William Cruickshank, and determine the leases ; and that a claim be made upon the estate for all arrears of rent. 3. That with respect to the request from Messrs. Sims and Brown and others, represented by Messrs. Brown and Henderson, requesting a reduction of their rents, although this committee recognises the hardship of the case, as represented by Messrs. Brown and Henderson on behalf the law will not admit of any alteraof lessees in Custom - street West, tion in rentals being made at present. 4. That a shed be erected for the Thames steamers, of the size indicated in Mr. Fraser's letter, the Foreman of Works to submit plan and specifications, rental for office and shed to be at the rate of £40 per annum, quarterly occupation. 5. That the Foreman of Works submit plan and specification for a shed at Quay-street jetty No. 2, the shed to be 100 feet by 40 feet, leaving a passage 25 feet around the shed. 6. That the Foreman of Works be authorised to make provision for a temporary water supply at Calliope Dock, at a cost not exceeding £80. 7. That the City Council be requested to grant a site in Quay-street, near Queen-street, for the weighbridge. The consideration of a report by the late engineer, Mr. McGregor, in reference to wharf and shed accommodation, was deferred. Clause 1, respecting Mr. Oldham's request, was referred back to the committee for further inquiry, and the remainder of the report was adopted. Mr. Craig's Account.—The Finance and Legal Committee recommended that the amount deducted from Mr. Craig's account (£55 18s 8d) be paid upon satisfactory proof being given of the delivery of 19 ton lOcwt of the Bay of Islands coal. This suggestion was adopted. The Work of the Dredgers. McGregor submitted a report showing the work done during the past month by the dredgers working off No. 2 jetty : Dredger No. 121 had lifted and carried to sea 17,200 yards, whilst 2800 yards had been lifted and deposited in punts by the Priestman's dredgers. Mr. McGregor recommended that Dredger No. 121 be docked for clean ihg, painting, and general overhaul. Harbour Works.—Mr. J. McGregor, engineer, forwarded a report on the works placed under his charge since taking office, as his engagement with the Board terminated on Saturday, the 30th of June. He regretted that the Board had not pushed forward with greater vigour the first section of his general scheme of harbour improvements, though he recognised > that, however disappointing this might be to I him as an engineer, he had no right to criticise the policy of the Board. There were several special improvements, however, absolutely necessary, and to which he wished to refer. The proposed extension to the Hobson-street and Railway Wharves having been for so long postponed, he saw no other way of obtaining a first-class berth for ocean - going steamers than by an addition to the outer western tee, off Queen-street Wharf, and a rearrangement of the goods shed thereon. The goods shed on the outer western tee should be constructed at once. Mr. McGregor drew the Board's attention to the defective construction of the old portion of the western tee; the old bearing piles were too short for the depth of mud, and whenever a heavy load was placed on the deck surface, the whole structure sank down through the mud. The goods-shed on Quay-street Jetty should now be erected, since the dredging was making good progress, and the jetty should be open for traffic. As soon as the berth and approach to No. 2 jetty, off Quay-street, were completed, the plant should be removed to Hobson-street Wharf and the approach to the Auckland Graving Dock. The schedule of works at Calliope Dock should be completed. The reclamation of Freeman's Bay would be a great improvement to the appearance and the sanitary condition of the western portion of the city, and the Board could row reclaim the land at a very low cost compared with any previous works. It seemed to him a matter of mutual interest to the Board to permit him to complete the outer western tee and goods-shed, and the goods-shed at Quaystreet, Jetty, because these were works confirmed by the Board from his designs, and for which the plans were already prepared. He also held strong opinions of the expediency of carrying out the proposed improvements to the outer eastern tee, and should like to finish the work for the Board before leaving its service. The whole would occupy only two or three months at the outset, after which the severance between the Board and himself would be a little more graceful and satisfactory to both parties. Perhaps it would be more in accordance with the present views of the Board that the two works should be carried out by the engineer under the usual form of engineering commission instead of a salary. He was quite willing to complete the works by commission if required, instead of by salary. Only the latter portion of this letter was read, and it was resolved, "That the decision of the Board that Mr. McGregor's services be dispensed with be adhered to, and that all works from this date be carried out by the foreman of works, Mr. Taylor." I

Engineer.—Applications for tie position of engineer on board the Dredger No. 121 were received from Messrs. T. R. Wallace, Mclntyre, W. C. F. Richardson, W. SL.ter, A. J. Park, D. McCaffer, and J. Lockie. Two of the candidates were disqualified, not having stated their ages. On the motion of Mr. Button, Mr. Lockie was appointed to the vacant post.