HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9145, 29 August 1888, Page 6

HARBOUR BOARD.

The regular meeting of the Harbour Beard was held yesterday afternoon. Present: Mr. M. Niccol (chairman), Messrs. Holland, Button, Devore, Dignan, Henderson, Buchanan, Stone, J. M. Clark, and D. H. McKenzie. By-laws.—The Under-Seoretary of the Marine Department acknowledged receipt of copy of by-law adopted on the 3rd ultimo. Permit.—D. H. Nairn and Co., occupiers of allotment leased from the Board by Mr. O. Maye, asked leave to extend their present wharf. It was agreed that the applicants be asked to submit a sketch plan. Hakkkk's Brick Yard.—Messrs W. and G. Winsbone, having purchased the machinery at Harker's brickyards, asked that the engine-house might be allowed to stand for a few weeks, and they were willing to pay a fair rent. The space required wa3 40 feet by 40 feet. It was agreed to grant the permit at a rental of £1 per week. Bonds.—The Bank of New Zealand forwarded notary's certificate as to bonds drawn for payment on 4th July, also an account for expenses, £10 5s 6d, for which the Bank requested a cheque. This was a regular recurring charge for paying off bonds, and close on £20,000 had now been paid off. Landing Freight on Cokk.— The manager of the Colonial Sugar Company wrote in regard to having to pay a landing freight on coke, the produce of an article which had already paid landing wharfage. He suggested, if the Board did not recognise the justice of his argument, and declined to allow coke to be delivered over their wharf free, that the shipped rate of 6d per ton be levied in accordance with the by-law referring to goods wharfage. The Chairman said that the Board had already affirmed the principle that coke was liable to ordinary rates of wharfage, and he moved that the request be not granted. The motion was agreed to. Frozen Meat Company and Emily Plaok.-—The Secretary of the Frozen Meat Company wrote: "Referring to the tri partite agreement between your Board, the Auckland Council, and our Company, dealing with expenditure in compensation and acquirement of properties in connection with the cutting down of Emily Place, clause 11 provides as follows : All properties purchased by the said company under the provisions of clause 3 hereof shall be rei sold within six months from the expiration of the said term of two years, such resale to be made by public auction, of which due notice shall be given, or in such other manner as may be previously agreed Co by the parties hereto. Apparently the only property purchased by the company under this arrangement was the property belonging to Mr. James Farmer, for which we hold certificate of title. This property is of course jointly owned by the parties to the agreement, and to comply with the clause quoted it should have been sold during 1886. I presume that the condition of the property at that time rendered it undesirable to attempt the sale of it, and considering the low values rfiling at present for town properties in Auckland, it might be equally unwise to sell it just now, but as there does not appear to be a record to any departure from the terms in the clause quoted, I would be glad to have in writing the views and wishes of your Board in this connection." The Chairman said that there could be no difference of opinion that it would be unwise to dispose of the property at present, and it was agreed that the Board consent to the postponement of the sale.

Export Charges on Timber.—Mr. G. Holdship wrote re the export charges on timber, pointing out that owing to the present charge, which amounts to 6d per 100 feet, nearly all the timber exported was shipped from out porta, and thus reducing the revenue, but if this wee refunded, it would result in increased activity in shipping, &c. The secretary pointed out that the charge was about 3id, not 6d, as stated by Mr. Holdship. The matter was referred to the Works and Tariff Committee to report as to what tariffs could be made, and that Mr. Holdship be invited to be present. The Caisson Contract.—Mr. John Darling, who had acted for the Board in regard to the caisson for Calliope Dock, reported that a settlement had been arrived at bj arbitration with the contractors. The award was against the Board, who were adjudged to pay the amount claimed with costs. The report was received. Shoal Bay.—The Town Clerk of Devonport enclosed a series of resolutions passed by the Borough Council consenting to the dedication of roads in Shoal Bay on certain conditions, and a sketch plan showing the roads accompanied the letter. The chairman explained the nature of the proposals made by the Borough Council in regard to these roads. Mr. Clark moved " That the offer of the Devonport Council be accepted. Mr. Dignan moved, as an amend ment, "That it be referred to the Finance Committee." Mr. Clark having withdrawn his motion in favour of Mr. Dignan's amendment, the latter was agreed to. Breaches of By-laws.—The Board's .solicitors, Messrs. Russell and Campbell, wrote intimating that Inspector Broham would instruct the Water Police to prose" cute for breaches of by-laws, and enclosed an authority to Sergeant Clarke for the signature of the chairman, etc. It was agreed to affix the seal of the Board to the required authority. Leave of Absence.—Mr. E. W. Burgees applied for a month's leave of absence, for the purpose of visiting Sydney and Melbourne early in October next. The application was granted. Works and Tariff Committee's Report.—This committee, in their report, recommended that the further consideration of the plan submitted by the foreman of works for the shelter of small boats be deferred. In regard to the foreman of works' report on various matters, the committee recommended—l. That the foreman of works be authorised to issue permits for deposit of material in Freeman's Bay, such material not to be of an offensive nature. 2. That he be instructed to cause channel opposite the sewer in Freeman's Bay to be kept olean, pending the City Council making arrangements for sewer extension. 3. That two lamps be placed on Hobson-street Wharf. 4. That two lamps be placed on No. 2 jetty. 5. That application be made to the City Council to lay water down Quay-street jetty No. 2. 6. That kerbiug be placed on Hobson-street Wharf. 7. That the City Council be asked to confer with this Board re electric lighting. S. That ordinary burners be substituted for Bray's burners on Queen-street Wharf, and that the Gas Company's offer to light lamps at per lamp be accepted, the question of putting out lights on moonlight nights and at 12 o clock to be deferred. Rβ extension of Victoria Wharf: The committee recommended that the plans and specifications be approved, and tenderscalled for the work. The report was adopted without discussion, the Chairman simply making an explanation regarding the sewer, and the solicitors' opinion regarding it.

Finance and Lkgal Committee.—This committee reported re approach to Hobsonstreet wharf that application be made to the City Council for payment of cost of formation of approach, £237 5s sd. Rβ Mr. Elliott's application for an increase of wages, it was agreed to give an increase of £1 per month (Mr. Elliott is nremsin of Dredger No. 121). Re the foreman's suggestion that Messrs. Banks and McCallum be instructed to insure shed on No. 2 jetty, the committee recommended accordingly. The secretary having reported that the lease of offices on Queen-street wharf would expire on the 31st of October, it was recommended that the secretary make temporary arrangements for, say twelve months, at existing rentals. The Secretary also reported that the leases of allotments in Breakwater Road would expire on the 30th September ; also, that there were several allotments in Customs-street West vacant. The committee recommended that the secretary ascertain if the present holders of allotments in Breakwater Road will continue to occupy at existing rentals, and that he make arrangements for temporary occupation of allotments in Custom - street West and Mechanics' Bay, at rentals paid for same while under lease. The report was adopted. The claim for £237 was for a portion of Hobson-street, authorised by Mr. McGregor, late engineer to the Board. Harbourmaster's Rkport rk Dredgihg. —Captain Burgess, harbourmaster, forwarded a report re dredger 121, and the depositing of silt within the limits of the harbour. It was as follows :—"Re dredger 121 : On the 20th ult. the master of the dredger applied to me for permission to deposit silt within the limits of the harbour,

which I had no power to do under the Act. A few days previoue, when on hie way to the usual discharging ground with the dredger, he met with a strong northerly wind and heavy eea, »nd for the safety of the vessel was compelled to discharge the silt when about a mile outside Rangitoto Reef. The depositing of silt in large quantities within the harbour, except for reclamation purposes, may materially injure the navigation. Drunken Bay having been mentioned as a suitable place for depositing &ilt, ife was visited on Friday last, aod it was found that the depth of Water Was not convenient, and, moreover, it wae desirable this bay should not be interfered with or the depth of water lessened, or the appliances for the swinging shipa for adjustment of compasses in any way interfered with. There were two places on the south-west shore of Bangitoto where a load of silt deposited now and then might not be objected to, but the discharging of silt within the harbour should if possible, be avoided. Elsewhere, dredges of the 121 class as a rule take their spoil out to sea. The chairman explained that spoil would not be depoeited in the two places referred to except during exceptionally bad weather, when it would be dangerous for the dredger to go out. The members of the Board gtronglV opposed depositing any silt inside the harbour. Finally the report was referred to Che Works and Tariff Committee. Fobbman or Works.—This officer sent in a lengthy report as to works in progress by the dredgers, and various contracts for water supply to Calliope Dock, sheds on wharves, repairs and additions to outer tee, main sewer discharge at Railway Wharf, &c. The question of repairs to outer western tee, and that of dredging from the Sewer, were referred to the Works and Tariff Committee, and the remainder of the report was received. Statkmbnt of Funds. — The following Statement of finance and funds was submitted :—Payment of accounts : General account, £1097 4s 8d ; loan account, No. 3, £197 : total, £1294 4s Bd. Statement of funds :—General account: Balance in bank, £5964 18s lid ; cash in hand, £40 16s 5d : total, £6005 15s 4d ; by accounts to be paid as above, £1097 4s 8d ; less already paid, £10 5s 6d : total, £1086 19s 2d : balance (credit), £4918 16s 2d. Loan account;, No. 2 : Balance in bank (credit), £314 10s Bd. Loan account, No. 3 : Balance in bank, £4360 9s 3d ; accounts for payment, £197 : balance (credit), £4163 9s 3d. Cash on deposit, £33,000. BiKKKNHKAD Wham.—Tenders for additions to the Birkenhead Wharf were re ceived as follows s—George Niocol, £477 13s; Hay wood and Martin, £609 4s 6d; Richard White, £492 9s 8d ; John Mercer, £404 15s. The estimate was £500, and the tender of Mr. Mercer was accepted; the second tender, that of George Niccol, was retained. Weigh-bridge.—Tenders for the purchase of the weigh-bridge were received. There were only two tenders. One was from Masefield and Co. for £15. There was a second for more money, but no cash had been forwarded as required. This was Mr. Nelson's tender tor £25, and it was agreed to allow him till ten o'clock next morning to pay the money, and that in the event of his not doing eo, Mr. Masefield's tender be accepted.