AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8529, 1 April 1891, Page 6

AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD.

The usual meeting of tho Auckland Harbour Board was held yesterday afternoon. Present: Messrs. M. Niccol (chairman), McMillan, Savage, Witheford, - Houghton, Dignan, Butcher, and Henderson.

S.S. Kingswear.— A circular was received from the Marino Board of Queensland with reference to the striking of the Kingswear on Cordelia Rock. The Shipping Inspector of Towns reported that the cause of the disaster seemed to have been the drift of the ship , to the westward when slowed down. The circular was received.

Lease in Custom-street.Mr. T. Buddie, as attorney for Mr. Thomas Russell, wrote with reference to the agreement with the Board as to the surrender of the lease of allotments 94 and 95, Custom-street East, in lieu of a new lease with more favourable conditions, if within three years from the 14th of October, 1890, buildings were erected and approved by the Board. He wished to know whether the Board would substitute for said allotments sections 128, 129, and 130 in Quay-street, at a rental to be agreed upon, and if it should be necessary to put up the sections for sale in the usual way he would be glad if the Board would take steps to have them advertised. The letter was referred to the Finance and Legal Committee. Growth of Gorse.—The Town Clerk, Devonport, wrote, drawing the attention of the Board to the growth of gorse on the Shoal Bay reclamation. He pointed out that if the same were nob cub down soon, it would spread considerably next summer. Ib was resolved blutb the necessary instructions be given to the Foreman of Works to attend to the matter.

Damage to Horse. —Mr. J. J. Craig drew attention to the fact that, on the morning of the 19th of March, one of,his men was carting from the barque Valparaiso, when the wheel of the dray went through the wharf, causing the horse bo be injured. He held the Board responsible for tho damage to the horse and cart, and wished to know its intention in the matter. Referred to the Finance and Lego 1 Committee. Transfer.Mr. J. Booth applied for permission to transfer lot 12, now held by him in tho name of Booth and Ward, to Mr. Charles Maxwell, who had purchased his business and rights. Referred to the Finance and Legt'.i Committee for their report. Works and Tariff Committee. —1. With reference to a letter from the Onehunga Ironworks Company, asking for a reduction of wharfage on scrap iron, iron ore, and limestone, it was resolved, "That this committee recommend that the wharfage rate on scrap iron bo reduced to Is per ton inwards, and on iron ore to fid per ton." 2. A letter had been received from Messrs. W. and G. Winstone, and one from the Town Clerk, in reference to proposed site for a mortuary, and, after consideration, the committee recommended, " That the site set apart at foot of Nelson-street be abandoned, and a site offered the City Council at Hobson-streob reclamation." 3. With regard to an application from Air. T. Stringer for permission to repair wharf ab Otahuhu, the committee recommended, " That Mr. Stringer be informed that the Board offers no objection to repairs being effected to wharf fronting his property at Otahuhu, but will nob accept any responsibility in the matter of maintenance or otherwise." With regard to clause 2, the Chairman pointed out that the only title which could be given would be that of occupation. If at any future time the site became too valuable for a mortuary, the Board could offer another site. This clause was referred back to the committee. Clauses 1 and 3 were adopted. Calliope Dock.— Works and Tariff Committee recommended:—l. That landing steps be provided, tenders to be invited for the work. 2. That levers be provided for opening flap valves. 3. That oil cups be placed in top of cylinders of main pumps. 4. That the steam-pipe of drainage pump be overhauled and rejoin ted. 5. That the clauso of report re nuts on top of chambers of pumps be referred to Mr. Stewart for explanation.. 6. That a 3-inch pipe bo carried from caisson chamber to donkey-engine, in order to afford a supply of water in case of fire. These recommendations were adopted. "**" Quay-street Breastwork.—The Works and Tariff Committee recommended in reference to this work: — That the plans and specifications be approved and adopted, and tenders called for repairing 100 feet, with option of the Board to have all bhe breastwork (300 feet) repaired if contract satisfactory." The recemmendation was adopted. Leading Wind.—The committee also recommended that one-half the charges on the ship Leading Wind from the time she caught fire to when she was sold be remitted, and that one-half the storage charges on yum ex Leading Wind be remitted. This was agreed to. Mechanics' Bay.—A letter was received from Mr. Spencer offering £40 for a building in Mechanics' Bay. The offer was declined. Accounts. — General accounts to the amount of £4283 3s 3d were passed for payment. Loan account, No. 3, £1105 14s lOd. v Calliope Pump Repairs.— Jos. Stewart, engineer, reported that the repairs to the pumps of the Calliope Dock had been completed by Mr. Frascr in a most satisfactory manner. The pumps had been tried singly and together ab the greatest speed at which it is safe to work the engines. The work had extended to about twelve months in execution, instead of four as per contract. He, however, would not recommend any penalty, as there had been no wilful neglect or delay. The extra time was almost entirely owing to his (Mr. Stewart's) misconception of the enormous amount of labour entailed in the work, principally in removing the old work and cutting out the brickwork for the new. He also submitted a certificate for work authorised by the Board, in addition to the contract, amounting to £192. Mr. Brigham stated that the contract was for £3675, and payments had been made bo the amount of £2852. Mr. Niccol was of opinion that the bulk of the amount due should be authorised to be paid, but stated that the question as to the liability of the Board to keep the dock dry during the time of contract should be looked into. Ho moved that Mr. Fraser be paid £800, and the account referred back to the Committee for consideration. This was agreed to.

Wharf Gates. —A petition was presented by Mr. Butcher praying a reconsideration of tho Board's determination to erect gates abtho Queon-sbreeb Wharf. The petitioners urged that there was no necessity for such gates, and that to erect them would.. be only an arbitrary display of the Board's power. Mr. Niccol moved that the petition be considered at the next meeting of tho Board. This was agreed to. Coal Hulks.—With reference to the alleged inconvenience to traffic in the harbour by the position of the coal hulks, the harbourmaster reported that these hulks were stationed in the least inconvenient position possible. The report was adopted. Wharf Sheds.—Mr. Butcher moved, according to notice, "That the necessary steps be taken to have sheds 'A' and 'B' on the Queen-sbreeb Wharf kept open until five p.m., Saturday excepted, for the purpose of removing free goods therefrom."., Mr. Butcher thought that a letter should be sent to the Minister of Marine on the subject. The matter was referred to the Works and Tariff Committee.

Holidays. — Mr. Henderson moved, " That provision be made for allowing each of the Board's employees in the office department an annual holiday." He thought that if each official knew that they would receive an annual holiday, it would save a deal of trouble and apparent unfairness. The resolution was agreed to, 14 days being the time specified. »