AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8661, 2 September 1891, Page 3

AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD.

I The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board was held yesterday afternoon. Present :—Messrs. M. Niccol (chairman), McMillan, Savage, Alison, Trenwith, Dignan, Devore, Houghton, Henderson, Butcher, Upton, and Witheford. Dredge.The secretary of tho Melbourne Department of Works wrote accepting the loan of the dredge upon the terms proposed by the Board. He stated that in drawing up the agreement it would not be necessary to 'provide for insurance while the dredge was in Victorian waters, as the department was prepared to take the risk. Tho letter was received.' The' North Queensland Insurance Company wrote accepting the Board's proposal on Dredger No. ■} 121 for £20,000, for voyage from Auckland to Mel; boure. A copy of the proposal was forwarded. The communication was received. Rextals.—Mr. John Douglas wrote, stating that in reference to the. property leased by ' Messrs. Steel Bros, from the Board, lie wished to point, bub the hardships under which the firm was labouring, and to ask for a reduction of rent. The whole of the premises were let for about £4 per week, which sum was nob sufficient to meet the ground rent, not to mention rates' and taxes, about £35 per annum. It was resolved, "That Mr. Douglas be informed that tho Board had no power to reduce the rent as applied for." Six Per Cent. Loan.The manager of the Bank of New Zealand advised the Board that the drawing of 31 bonds, to be repaid on the 10th January, 1892, took place in London on tho Ist July, and forwarded notarial certificate detailing the numbers. The expenses of the drawing amounted to £9 0s 3d. Tho letter was received. Wop.ks and Tariff Committee. —1. With reference to a letter from Mr. Ewington with regard to the employment .of union and non-union mots, the committee recommended " That Mr. Ewington be informed that upon enquiry it has been found that work on wharves has been fairly distributed without any distinction having been made between union and non-union labour." Tho committee further recommended (2), " That a cork buoy -be placed to mark the extremity of tho shoal water north of Brown's Island." 3. " That a site at llobson-street be offered to the City Council for new mortuary." The report was adopted. Voyaue of Dredger to Melbourne.— The Works and Tariff Committee made the following recommendations : — (1) That Mr. Bailey's tender ot £160, for spars, sails, rigging, etc., be accepted. (2) That Captain Burgell be appointed master at £18 for the voyage ; Mr. Lockler chief engineer, at £25; and Mr. Capped third engineer, at £18. (3) That insurance for £20,000 at 40 per cent.; less 5 per conb. discount, bo effected with the North Queensland Insurance Co. (4) That the draft deed of bailment be approved ; such deed to be forwarded to Melbourne. The document to be signed and lodged, together with £1400, payable in Auckland, with the Bank of New Zealand in Melbourne. Tho recommendations were adopted. Finance and Legal Committee.—This committee reported as follows : —(1) A letter from Messrs. R. and R. Duder, L. D. Nathan, Davis, and J. Dunning, drawing attention to certain abuses with reference to Victoria Wharf, having been read, and tho opinions of several gentlemen having been heard, it was resolved, "That the committeo recommends that a notice be placed on Victoria Wharf stating that unless goods are removed within 24 hours from tho time of landing, proceedings will be taken under the by-laws of the Board, and that the Harbourmaster bo instructed to strictly enforce such notice." (2) With reference to'ii letter from tho Kauri Timber Company, offering to rent allotment in Custom street West, lately occupied by Mr. Gouk, at a rental of £25 per annum, it was resolved, " That the Board's solicitors be instructed to take tho necessary steps for re-entry on the allotment, and that so soon as re-entry is made, the Kauri Timber Company's offer be accepted, subject to six months' notice." The 'report was adopted. Refund.—Tho question of allowing a refund of £25 on the £108 paid by tho ship Blenheim for wharfago was discussed. It was pointed out that the Auditor-General may take exception to this payment. Mr. Upton stated that they had nothing to do with what tho Auditor-General would do in the matter. The question was whether the payment was legal or illegal. Mr. McMillan said he sympathised with the agents of the ship, but he would vote against the refund if it were an illegal payment. Mr. Devore thought that the refund would be simply a gift, and that such a payment would be illegal. Tho matter was referred to the Board's solicitors. Secretary's Report.—Mr. Brigham read a report with reference to his work at Wellington in connection with the passing of the Board's Loan Bill through Parliament. The Chairman stated that it now remained to be seen what use the Board would make of the Bill. It was agreed that the Bill be referred to the Legal Committee for a report. Statement of Funds.—General account: Balance in bunk, £7145 3s 2d ; cash on hand, £118 13s 4d—£7263 10s 6d. By accounts to be paid as above, £317 Ss 3d ; to balance, £6946 8s 3d ; cash on fixed deposit, £6500 ; balance (credit), £13,446 Ss 3d. i.oan account No. 3: Balance in bank, £876 7s 4d; accounts for payment, £15; balance (credit), £861 7s 4d. Tenders.—Eleven tenders were received for the construction of the proposed outer western tea. They were as follows :—Wells and O'Connor, £384 ; 11. C. Small, £389 ; James Furoy, £393 10s; Watts and Co., £410 ; C. M. Newsom, £364 ; George Banks, £380 15s , J. Swanson, £398 ; John Aickin, £395 ; W. G. Smith, £419 ; Hey wood and Martin, £366; Alexander Watson, £398. Shed for lumpers (estimato £88): 11. C. Small, £123 ; Heywood and Martin, £92 10s; W. G. Smith, £107; Holford aud McGregor, £97 18s; John Aicken, £97; Watts and Co., £132; James Furey, £94 10s. For the former work the tender of Mr. C. M. Newso m was accepted, and for tho latter that of Messrs. Heywood and Martin. Thanks.—lt was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Niccol, seconded by Mr. Upton, "That a vote of thanks be given by ! this Board to the Hon. T. Dignan, M.L.C., the Hon. D. Pollen, M.L.C., and Mr. T. Thompson, M.H.R., for introducing and taking charge of Bills passed at this session of Parliament"