NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8629, 27 July 1891, Page 6

NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the above Board was held on the Bth of July. Present: Messrs. T. King (chairman), Connett, W. Bewley, G. W. Gane, Shuttleworth, Godkin, and Kyngdon. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Day Labour.—The chairman said he saw that he could get the Moutoroa covered in cheaper by day labour by the Board's hands, and lie had got it done that way instead of calling for tenders, as per resolution at last meeting. The Board saved considerably by the way it was done. On Mr. Connett a resolution the action of the chairman was upheld. .. ■ ? , Iron Girders.— application was read from Mr. Malone, clerk to the Stratford County Council, for the price of iron girders which it was understood were for sale. After discussion it was decided that they were not for sale at present. Dredging.The foreman's report was read, stating that he had taken 1115 cubic yards of sand to sea. Letter From Mr. Smith, M.H.R.—A letter from Mr. Smith, M.H.R., re iron girders was read, stating that he with some other members of the House of Representatives would arrive in New Plymouth on Friday, the 10th, and asking that copies of the Taranaki Herald be forwarded to him with the report of the Chamber of Commerce in it. Resolved, on Mr. Gane's motion, "That the chairman send 50 copies if they could be got from both offices (which was doubtful), as the cost was only one penny each." A discussion arose over that part of Mr. Smith's letter re the M.II.R.'s visit, also the expenses which might be incurred by the Board. , Mr. Gane said banquet them. Mr. Kyngdon would object to it. The chairman said it was right that they should meet the committee oil Saturday v He presumed the members of the committee would return by special train on Saturday. He had noticed that the Premier had been attacked "for saying at the jubilee time that the money had been well spent constructing the New Plymouth Harbour. Such a visit from the committee would do a lot of good, as the members could have a look at the works. The Premier had not mentioned such a tiling as promising aid, as stated by those who attacked him. Air. Gane asked if the Premier's remarks had been misconstrued. The chairman said as far as he knew they were not. A long discussion took place. Air. Bewley asked if the Board incurred any expense, would the auditor pass it. The chairman said he would pay the expenses he was put to out of his own pocket. Mr. Gane said it would be well for the whole Board to meet the committee. Messrs. Godkin and Connet thought that the chairman and any other members who liked to come could meet the committee and show them the work. They did not think a meeting of the Board was necessary. Mr. Gane advocated country members taking part in meeting the committee ; then they knew what was going oil. After further discussion it was agreed that the chairman and auy members who could attend should do so.

Application fo& Stonebreakers—A letter from Mr. Hughes; who proposes to start ironworks at Onehunga, asking if the Board would sell him the storie-crushers. The Board decided not to part with any. Notice to Re-enter.—The chairman informed the meeting that as the Petroleum Syndicate , and , Mr.' Oldfield, lessees of the sea beach,. were not carrying out the conditions of their'? leases, legal notice had been sent to them that the Board would re-enter if the conditions were not adhered to. The Petroleum Syndicate was owing some £40 arrears, and Mr. Oldfield some £30 odd. Mr. Connett asked whether it was advisable to make it public?' Mr. Gane said most undoubtedly. It was dealing with public property, and if they were so hard up it was time the public 1 knew what was being done. The chairman : had done quite right. Mr. Connett said the men were not paid either. Mr. Gane : The more reason to take action. The chairman said the beach was becoming very valuable, as iron sand was wanted in the manufacture of steel rails for railways in New South Wales, and the Board ought to be prepared to make something out of the beach if the present lessees did not fulfil t:ieir conditions. The action of the chairman in the matter was approved of. The Wreck of the Hawea.—Mr. W. D. Webster, agent for the Northern Steamship Company, wrote asking that the sum of £3 5s be paid, owing to a portion of the wreck of the Hawea having impeded traffic on the v/harf when , the s.s. Glenelg was loading c attle. Mr. Gane wanted to know who had been the cause of this. The chairman said Mr. Oldfield was getting away the wreck of 'he Hawea, as old iron, putting it on the wharf for shipment, using the large crane for the purpose of lifting it up, but the chains had _ parted, which had necessitated the 1 saving of it where it was. Mr. Gane said under the circumstances, let Mr. Oldfield pay this account. Why should the Board pay it? They surely were not to blame. The chairman said Mr. Oldfield had done an enormous amount of good for the Board, as he had , removed the greater part of the Hawea wreck, and would no doubt remove the remainder, and therefore was entitled to some consideration. Mr. Gane said: _ Was 'lot the Hawea wreck sold The chairman daid yes, but to a man, of no means. The chairman explained a lot about this affair, which has been a bad job all through. Further discussion eventuated before the Board decided to pass this account. Valuations.—During the discussion re further value of , this harbour district, it was mentioned that valuations were ridiculously low. Mr. Gane said the valuations down his way were to the contrary. Ho was valued at £4 7s 6d per aci'e in the rough. Resolved, on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr. Gane, " That as the chairman is unable to go to Wellington, Mr. Samuel, the Board's solicitor, be the representative to give evidence before the committee." >

The Loan Prospectus. Kane, clerk of the New Plymouth Harbour Parliamentary Committee, wrote asking for copies of the original prospectus of the £200,000 loan issued in 1879, and also any other papers the Board might have in its. possession relating to the prospectus. The chairman had forwarded these. ■ Accounts.Accounts were passed, about £1396.—(.0wn Correspondent.]