AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8541, 15 April 1891, Page 3

AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board ' was held yesterday afternoon. Present: Messrs. M. Niccol (chairman), Butcher, Upton, ' 'Dignan, Henderson, Witheford, Devore, Trenwith, Houghton, Alison, Savage, Crowther, and McMillan. Buoys.—A communication was received from the Marine department at Wellington, stating that a telegram had been received from the Secretary of State, asking whether this colony would adopt the international system of buoys recommended by tire Maritime Conference, held at Washing-' ton last year, to which a reply had been sent that New Zealand would adopt the system so far as colour was concerned, but

that the alteration of shape would involve too great an expense. The Minister therefore requested that the Board will have the buoys coloured in accordance therewith. Referred to tho Harbourmaster. Limes and Cements. —Mr. E. Bartley, President of tho Auckland Institute of Architects, wrote asking the use of portion of one of the open sheds near the Auckland Dock for the purpose of carrying out tests as to the relative value of our local * limes and cements. He stated that these experiments were of great public importance. The application was granted. Mkn-of-Wat:. Anchorage.—The Secretary to the Commander-in-Chief wrote thanking tho Board - for their courteous action in regard to tho reserved anchorage for Her Majesty's ships, and stating that tho proposed arrangement entirely met with approval. In reply tD a question as to the eastern and northern limits of the re-

served anchorage, the Commander-in-Chief was of opinion that the northern limit should be COO yards from the southern, and the eastern 1200 yards from the western, making tho anchorage in the form of a parallelogram GOO by 1200 yards. The Commander-in-Chief would bo obliged if the Board would cause the legislation enactment when gazetted to be forwarded to him, through His Excellency the Governor (12 copies in all). After some discussion it was resolved, on the motion of the chairman, "That the anchorage ground for Her Majesty's ships of war in Auckland harbour be defined as marked upon chart and duly gazetted." Wharf Gates.—A petition was received from a number of citizens requesting the Board to reconsider the question of the erection of gates on the Queen-street Wharf. The document pointed out that the gates were not required for the purpose of regulating traffic, nor for the commercial purposes of the port. They would prove a direct interference with public rights. Mr. Butcher moved that the prayer of the petition bo granted. Mr. Dignan seconded. Mr. Devore stated that ho thought the Board should take notice of views of the public as expressed in the petition. There was nothing from tho public which said "go on with the gates but there had been ■ much opposition to the work being carried out. Mr. McMillan maintained that there was a strong feeling in favour of the erection of these gates. There was hardly a place in New Zealand where more people were drowned by falling from the wharf whilst drunk. Mr. Upton was entirely opposed to the gates, and lie did not think that these gates would in any way obviate, loss of life. To put the gates there with tho view of controlling the excitement of any portion of the community was absurd. It would simply act as a challenge, and would rather create than allay excitement. At the time of the strike he saw the strikers from day to day, but saw nothing revolutionary. • It was true they were earnest and excited,- but men can be so without doing anything rash. He thought the police often acted in a most foolish way in times of excitement. They seemed to becomo excited themselves, and almost created disturbances by their methods. Mr. Butcher pointed out that there would nob only bo the cost of erection, but also the cost of

attending to these gates. Mr. Alison opposed the petition. He thought the petition had originated from members of the Board. The chairman stated that bethought many people had signed the petition under a misapprehension. The pates would only be closed i:» cases of emergency. He contended that the erection of the barricades was one of the causes which led to the preservation of order in our city during the late strike. Mr. Crowther contended that intimidation was not legislation. To erect these gates would, in his opinion, bo tho usurpation of a power that the Board did not possess. It would necessitate an expenditure of about £-00 a-year. Messrs. Crowther, Butcher, Upton, Witheford, Devore, Trenwith, and Dignan voted that the prayer of the petition bo granted. Messrs. Niecol, Houghton, Henderson, Alison, Savage, and McMillan voted against it. It was therefore decided not to erect tho gates. Works and Tariff Committee.—The committee made the following recommendations:—l. With reference to the extension of the working hours for shed A and B, on Queen-street Wharf, "That application be made, through the Auckland Collector of Customs to the Commissioner of Customs, to cause the hours for closing bonded stores to be extended to five p.m., and an hour to be allowed between twelve and 0110 p.m. for luncheon." '2. With regard to tho advisability of employing an engineer to take charge-of engines at Calliope Dock, "That Mr. Lockio, engineer in charge of the dredger No. 121, bo directed to act as engineer at Calliope Dock when required, and that ho be remunerated for such services at the rate of £4 extra per month for tho time he is engaged at tho Dock." 3. In answer to an application from the foreman of works for permission to hire a donkey-engine in connection with tho reclamation works at Freeman's Bay, it was agreed "That the foreman of works bo authorised to hire a donkey-engine for, say two weeks, for reclamation works at Freeman's Bay."

Finance and Legal Committee.—l. After considering the accounts of Messrs. Eraser and James Stewart for work and service in connection with Calliope Dock, pumps, etc., it was resolved, "That the committee recommend that the accounts be paid." 2. With reference to the Board's liability for city rates in arrcar by the Board's lessees it was resolved, " That a reply be sent in accordance with solicitor's opinion." 3. A letter from Mr. C. J. Hutchinson in reference to concessions in leases was recommended "to be reforred to the Board's solicitor." 4. The committee recommended that Mr. Booth's request for permission to transfer lease of allotment No. 12, Custom-street West, to Mr. Maxwell be declined. 5. With reference to a letter from Mr. T. Russell, that the Board, instead of granting new leases as agreed, for allotments 94 and 95, Customstreet, would substitute allotments 128, 129, and 130, in Quay-street, the committee recommended " That the application be declined, and that leases of allotments 328, .129, and 130, be put up for public auction for a term of 50 years." G. The committee recommended that Mr. Craig bo informed, "That the Board refuse all liability in respect to the injury sustained by his horse." 7. The committee recommended " That the necessary repairs be carried out to the Ponsonby Wharf, but that the repairs of the wharves at St. Heliers and Tamaki bo deferred for the present." Clause 2 was referred back to the committee in order to ascertain the grounds upon which the solicitors' opinion was based. The remaining recommendations were adopted. Tenders. — Tenders were received for concrete facing, Quay-street, as follows :— Hooper and Co., £119 103 ; Thomas Mulvihill, £137 15s ; James Larkin, £185 ; James Furey, £125 ; Haywood and Martin, £225 ; Samuel Sheldon,. £136 ss. For landing step 3 at Calliope Dock : Hey wood and Martin, £51; John White, £65 ; James Larkin, £97.- The lowest tender was accepted in each case.' Report of Foreman of Works.—The Foreman of Works reported as follows :—l. Dredging operations: The Priestman Dredge lias been employed during the fortnight dredging on the southern side of the outer western tee, Queen-street Wharf, and has lifted 27 punt loads of silt, which have been deposited in Freeman's Bay.' The berth had silted up considerably, but when the dredging is completed, vessels drawing up to 21 feet may be berthed at low water spring tides. 2. Sewerage: The sewerage which is deposited at the outlet of sewer at the approach to Queen-street Wharf, has been allowed to accumulate for some considerable time, there is now no water at the watermen's steps at low spring tides, and the stench is almost unbearable. The sewerage has also spread to the eastward, and one defy last week one of the Ferry Company's steamers went aground when i coming alongside the goods' wharf. 3.

Extension of sewer: The City Council should be called upon to pay the cost of the dredging which requires to be done,at this spot, and also to extend the sewer, with a box-culvert about 150 feet along the Queensfcreefc Wharf, so that the sewerage will be deposited on the western side of the wharf into deeper water, where the dredge can work conveniently. 4. Works : Good progress is being made with the contract for the addition to the outer western tee, and repairs have been made to the Mechanics' Bay breastwork, the Wynyard Pier, Northcote, Birkenhead, Victoria, and Devonport Wharves. 5. Gorse: The foreman did not see any reason why the Board should be called upon to remove the gorse upon the Shoal Bay reclamation. Calliope Dock: The several works authorised for this dock are in progress and will be completed in about a fortnight. The report was referred to the Works and Tariff Committee.

Shelter Shed. —On the motion of Mr. Niccol, it was resolved " That the Foreman of Works be directed to submit plan and estimate for shelter shed in 'Calliope Dock yard." _________________