AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8423, 26 November 1890, Page 6

AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD.

The usual meeting of the Harbour Board was held yesterday afternoon at the Harbour Board Offices, when there were present— Messrs. M. Niccol (chairman), McMillan, D. Goldie, Dignan, Devore, Anderson, J. Maefarlane, A. H. Nathan, Savage, Winstone* and Button. Deck Caroo. —A letter was received from the Marine Department, Wellington, thanking the Board for consenting to the Harbourmaster being appointed an officer for the purpose of granting the permits required by section 223 of the Shipping and Seamen's Act, 1877, for the carriage of deck cargo. The letter was received. Captain Burgess, the chairman explained, had accepted the position. Removal of Silt. —A letter was received from the City Council, asking the Harbour Board to make an offer to the Council for the removal of the silt at a fixed annual charge. Referred to the Works Committee. San Fkancisco Service.—A letter was received from Mr. Mills, manager of the Union Steamship Company, Dunediu, confirming his telegram re the port of call for the San Francisco mail steamers, and thanking the Board for the increased facilities they had undertaken to provide. The letter was received. The T'ja Boats.-—Mr. John Batgor wrote on behalf of the Tugboat Company, Limited, stating that the directors of the Company were willing to sell the Awhina and Rotoiti, and retire from the business, owing to the death of Mr. Compton. He wished to know whether the Harbour Board was willing to negotiate for the purchase of these two steamers. Referred to the Finance and Legal Committee to report. Caij.iofk Dock Pumps. — Mr. James Stewart. C.E., reported that the first of the Calliope Dock pumps under contract for repairs was put to work on the 20th November, and tho dock pumped out. He had carefully inspected the pump, anil fouud the work thoroughly satisfactory. Like a great part of the original pump work, tho guard irons were fixed in a very imperfect manner by screws in blind holes tapped in the castings, and having a very short length of perfect thread, if any at all. He regretted to say that the engine of that pump was not at all satisfactory. Ho was informed that it never was perfect in its running, but ou the date of his report the knock and noise, due to the main bearing of the crank shaft, was very bad, so much so that lie could ndt authorse the pump being put to the full speed. Mr. Crowther said it was evident the whole work had been a botch from the beginning. The report was referred to the Works and Tariff Committee to report. Claim for Damages. — Messrs. Pond and Co. wrote forwarding a claim for damage done to their slip by the silt punts, and asking the Board to forward it to the contractor or person liable. The amount claimed was £10. It was decided to reply that the Board recognised no liability in trie matter. Totara Piles. — Messrs. E. Mitchelson and Co. wrote offering a quantity of totara' piles, as also did Mr. W. Kelly. The foreman of works wrote recommending the Board to purchase the lot, as the price was very reasonable. The Chairman said tho prices were quite 10 per cent, below those the Board had to pay when they last called for tenders. Mr. Goldie thought it would be better to call for tenders. After further discussion, it was resolved to accept Mr. Mitchelson's offer, but to deter accepting Mr. Kelly's offer, pending further information. Landing Steps.—Messrs. Bradtiey and Binns, owners of the s.s. Despatch, wrote, pointing out that there were no landing steps at either the Northcote or Birkenhead Wharves. Letter received. Allotment No. 14.—Messrs. Carr, Johnston, and Go. wrote, re allotment No. 14, complaining of two clauses in the lease of the allotment. They complained of the clause providing that the building should lie approved of by the Board, and that the insurance should be in the joint names of the Board and themselves. The letter was referred to the Finance Committee, with power to Act. Man-o'-War Anchorage. — Some telegraphic correspondence with the Marine Department was read, re prohibiting merchant ships anchoring on the man-o'war ground, and it was resolved to defer the matter till the Admiral arrived, in order that the Board might ascertain his wishes in the matter. Works and Tariff Committee.—This committee reported re the '' Acme" batten and nail, recommending that these battens and nails be used for the whole of the roofs to sheds to be constructed on the wharves. The committee also recommended that copies of the proposed by-laws be forwarded to each member of the Board for consideration at the meeting to be held 011 the 9th December. The report was adopted. Finance and Legal Committee.—This committee recommended the payment of accounts to tho amount of £475 12s (id. Ro the wharves at Devonport, the committee recommended that Messrs. Wells Brothers' offer to keep the wharves clean be declined, and that the Devonport Ferry Company be requested to cause the Victoria and Devonport wharves to be kept clear of goods and free from rubbish or litter, caused by landing goods thereon. It was also decided to recommend that the secretary be instructed to direct the solicitors of the Board to take proceedings for the recovery of rents and wharfages in arrear. The report was adopted. Foreman of Works' Report.—The foreman of works reported that the Priestmau's dredge had been employed at the western end of the Railway wharf, and had lifted 29 loads of silt, equal to 11(>0 cubic yards. The silt had been discharged at Freeman's Bay. The aerial tram to carry the silt from the punts to the higher ground was almost completed. The contract for the addition to shed I), Queen-street wharf, would be completed in about a week. The concrete facing to the Quay-street breastwork was making slow progress, but the work was being well done. The cost of dredging at the Railway wharf at the outlet of "the main sewer from the 24th October to the 3rd November, 1890, was £50. It was decided that application be made to the City Council for the payment of this amount, and that the report be referred to the works committee. Tenders.Tenders for repairs to the roadway at the Auckland Dock were received its follows :—B. Berrv, £57 18s; R. Jenkinsou, £87 ; l'ascoe and Rous, £42 19s ; S. Sheldon, £54; J. Larkin, £57. The lowest tender, Messrs. l'ascoe and Rous, was accepted. Buoys at Calliope Dock. —A letter from the Harbour Master re warping buoys and screw moorings at the entrance to Calliope Dock was referred to the Works and Tariff Committee to report. Gate to Wiiakf. —On the motion of the Chairman it was resolved, " That the foreman of works submit an estimate of the cost of fixing gates at the head of the wharf." Notice of Motion.Mr. A. 11. Nathan gave notice to move, " That on and after the Ist January, 1891, the Harbour Board take over the receiving of all goods landed 011 the wharves."

Einanck.—Payment of accounts :—General account, £175 12s Od. Statement of funds : — General account : Balance in bank, £0502 17s Stl ; cash on hand, £77 8s 5d —£(k>SO (is Id ; by accounts to be paid as above, £475 12s Gil : balance (or.), £0104 l.'ta 7d ; cash on fixed deposit, £4000. Loan account, No. 'A : Balance in bank, £107- lid ; cash on fixed deposit, £5900.

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