AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9241, 19 December 1888, Page 6

AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board was held yesterday afternoon, at the offices of the Board, when there were present: —Messrs. M. Niccol (in the chair), 1). oldie, J. Winks, P. Dignan, Holland, D. H. Mackenzie, A. Devore, C. B. Stone, and A. H. Nathan. Railway Road. —A letter was received from the General Manager of New Zealand Railways acknowledging the receipt of a letter enclosing resolutions of the Board with reference to access to Wynyard Pier, etc., and stating that the subject mentioned would receive consideration. Letter received.

Birkenhead Member.A letter was received from the Marine Department, Wellington, intimating that it was proposed, when an election is likely to take place, to cause the new Borouch Council at Birkenhead to replace the Road Board in joining with the Northeote Road Board in such election. Action of Government approved. Cleaning Wharves.— Mills wrote asking that .€1 per month be added to his contract for cleaning and sweeping the wharves. Since it came into force another wharf and two more sheds had been built, thus giving him far more work. Request granted. Regatta Arrangements.—The lion, secretary of the Auckland Regatta Club wrote thanking the Board for the permission to fence oil'the end of the wharves on Regatta Day, and informing them that the conditions named by the Board would be complied with. Letter received.

Shipment ok Chaff Messrs. Sharp and Co. wrote complaining that the Board's charges on chat! are out of proportion to the rates on all other produce lines, and asking that the Board would either charge at 40 sacks per ton, or at the actual dead weight. Referred to the Works and Tariff Committee to report. Accommodation for Boats. H. J. Blythc wrote with reference to the want of security for boats and small craft anchoring near the wharves. The solid portion of the Hobson-strcet Wharf already afforded a very good breakwater during the prevalence of westerly gales, but in the absence of any authorised caretaker for boats, which have at present to be left at the steps at the mercy of larrikins, he suggested that a small shed be built at the shore end of Hobson-street Wharf, and put in charge of a man, whose duty it would be, for a small fee, to see to the safety of the boats left in his charge. The fees would probably cover the man's wages, leaving the cost of the shod to be defrayed, from the Board funds. The letter was received, and it was decided to reply that it was not at present thought desirable to take action in the matter.

Excessive Rentals.—Mr. J. Buchanan wrote asking that the Board would determine the lease to him of allotment No. 104, corner of Custom and Gore-streets. He also wrote, as lessee of allotments 102 and 10.'}, fronting Custom-street, asking that the Board would apply for the necessary powers to enable them, like the City Council, to reduce the rents of lessees 011 the over-rented land. These leases had proved a very heavy loss to the unfortunate lessees. His own income had been seriously curtailed by reductions made 011 leases held under himself, and this experience had been nearly universal in Auckland. If the Board did not yield relief his circumstances were such that he would be compelled to hand over the property built 011 the allotments in question to the mortgagee. He submitted, however, that it would be wise to relieve even them, so that they might be induced to utilise the ground yet unoccupied, otherwise that part must remain unbuilt on. The unfortunate circumstance of the Board obtaining such an abnormal price for the leases 011 the block part of which was occupied by his store, had prevented lessees balding; hence the unsightly blank in perhaps the best part of the city not only continues unutilised, but seriously hindered the natural development of the value of the Board's property. The Chairman said they could not possibly do as requested. Their position was not the same as that of the Council. The finances of the Board were of a rigid nature, as thev had to pay definite sums at fixed periods. The first letter was referred to the Finance and Legal Committee. With reference to the second letter, it was resolved that the previous decision of the Board be adhered to, tiamely, that thev decline to have the Public Bodies Leaseholds Act brought into operation. Advertising.—Mr. Allan Tracy wrote tendering £5 per annum for the sole right to use for advertising purposes the frontage to Queen-street from the railway station past Mr. Firth's mill. Tne present hoarding fixed there was a thorough disgrace to the town, and such a public eyesore that it would be to the interest of our citizens to have it removed and replaced by one of his own, which he would fit up so as to be an ornament. It was decided to allow his application to stand over till after the advertised time of the sale by auction of the lease of the frontage. "The Mail Steamer Smash.—The Chairman announced that three tenders for repairing the damage done by the Zealandia had been received, and that of Messrs. Oxenham and Melville, for £182 10s lOd, had been accepted. Works and Tariff Committee.— Works and Tariff Committee reported advising that the extension of boundary of allotments occupied by Mr. Dunning be allowed, and that the plans and specifications for timber wharf submitted be approved of subject to the approval of the Marine Department. The Committee also recommended — (1) That a new tumbler shaft for the dredgrer be ordered from the contractor for ironwork ; ('2) that the \vork_ of renewing stringers in Birkenhead Wharf be authorised ; (3) that a barbed wire fence be erected 011 the north end of Calliope Dock; (-1) that the necessary repairs be made to the No. 3 western T of Queen-street Wharf; (5) that the necessary repairs be made to the Northcoto Wharf; (0) that notice be given to the Ferry Companies that, as the repairs are now being made to wharves for damages caused by carelessness in the management of the ferry steamers, in future the company owning the steamers causing damage to a wharf by want of proper precautions in berthing the vessel will be held responsible for the cost of repairing such' damage; (7) that platform and elects-be provided at Birkenhead Wharf. The report was adopted. Legal and Finance Committee. — The Legal and Finance Committee recommended general'accounts for payment to the amount of £491 10s Id, and loan account, No. 3, £528 12s 3d. In reference to the damage, to the wharf by the Zealandia, after reading the letter from the agent of the Oceanic Steamship Company upon the Board's claims, and the opinion of the Board's solicitor, the committee recommended that the amount of contract for repairs be claimed from the Oceanic Steamship Company. Upon a letter_ from Mr. J. Lamb in reference to cancelling of leases, the committee had no recommendation to make. The report was adopted. Tenders. — Tenders were received and opened for latrine arrangements at Calliope Dock as follows ■: —Hirst and Moody, £222; John Mercer, £225; James Fury, £239 10s: Oxenham and Melville, £216 18s lOd; estimate of engineer, £220. The tender of Oxenham and Melville was accepted, and the next lowest retained.

Statement of Funds. — The following statement of funds was submitted :—General account: Balance in bank, £6042 0s 3d; cash in hand, £37 Is 2d: total, £G079 Is sd; by accounts to be paid as above, £491 10s id : balance credit,. £5587 lis. .4d. . Loan account No. 2: Balance in bank (credit), £314 10s Bd. Loan account No. 3: Balance in bank, £1037 lis; accounts for payment, £528 12s 3d: balance credit, £508 18s 9d. Cash on iixed deposit, £33,000. Fish Market. — On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr. McKenzie, it was resolved, "That the foreman of works submit an estimate of the cost of converting the shed on the old ferry tee into a fish market." Receiving Cargo.The Chairman moved, "That the Board assume the receiving and delivering of all cargo on the wharves, with such exceptions as may from time to time be determined by resolution." He thought that in the interest of the port they should make this change. For a long time there had been complaints from the shipping on the matter. Mr. McKenzie seconded the motion, and Mr. Nathan spoke in support of it. Finally, however, the whole matter was referred to the Works and Tariff Committee to report. Time of Meeting. — The Chairman also moved, " That the next ordinary meeting of the Board be held on Friday, the 28th instant, at 2.30 p.m., and that the meeting after next be held on the Bth January, 1889, at 2.50 p.m." This was to obviate the necessity of meeting on New Year's Day. The motion was carried.