AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8888, 26 May 1892, Page 3

AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD.

Tiik Auckland Harbour Board met yesterday. Present: Messrs. C. C. MacMillan (presiding), E. W. Alison, M. Niccol, C. S. Wright, W. Crowther, S. T. George, J. H. Witheford, J. Butcher, P. Dignan, and T. Henderson. _ _ _ The Receiving of Cargo.—Mr. J. J. Craig announced on behalf of the wharf receivers, that they were prepared to do the necessary work of receiving, sorting, and delivering goods from wharves, should the Board resolve to take that business under their control. The letter was referred to the committee who are considering the question. Leaseholds.—Mr. F. Buttle (New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co.) and Mr. C. V. Houghton (Now Zealand Shipping Co.) asked the Board whether they would submit for sale by public auction two sections facing Quay-street, and whether, if they bought two sections there, or such other sections as might bo required by them, at upset prices, equal to what they were now paying for sections 90, 91, 94, and 9.1, the Board would accept surrender of the leases of the latter properties. The companies intend to erect large warehouses and lumping plant. The chairman said that this was a matter of considerable importance, and at his suggestion the lettei was referred to the Finance and Legal Committee, the solicitors to be asked to give an opinion as to the power of the Board in respect of the leases named. Mr. J. J. Craig offered to lease the yard lately occupied by the Brick and Tile Company on Breakwater Road. The letter was referred to the Finance and Legal Committee. Messrs. Knight and Towler asked for a reduction of rent tor an allotment in Customs-street West, or oflered to surrendei the lease. The chairman said that the Board had not the power to grant any concession. It was decided to reply accordingly. Messrs. Stone Brothers wrote informing the Board that the City Council collector had applied to them lor payment of rates to the 31st inst. of an allotment, the lease of which they had given up to the Board on the 31st March. Thay asked that tho Board should pay the rates now claimed. The letter was referred to tho Finance and Legal Committee. Works and Tariff Committee.—The Works and Tariff Committee stated, in rcard to the complaint from Mr. J. Aitken as to a box of luggage by the Manapouri from Sydney, having been lost, that the storekeeper reported that the luggage had been carried on by the steamer. Tho committee recommended that no action be taken at present regarding the proposal to build a shed on tho Quay-street Jetty No. '2, and that the consideration of the question of providing a more adequate water supply at Calliope Dock be deferred. The report was adopted. Finance and Legal Committee.—This committee recommended that the allotments leased to Mr. Kelly at Freeman's Bay be re-entered, and that lot 1a be leased to Mr. Lyttle. It was also suggested by the committee that the license of a waterman against whom a complaint of intemperance had been made should be not renewed. This report was adopted. Queen-street Wharf. — Mr. Niccol moved, " That tho Foreman of Works prepare plan and estimate for repairs and improvements to the eastern tee of the Queenstreet Wharf." Ho said that that portion of tho wharf was now in such a condition that they could not long postpone the necessary repairs. It was indeed a question whether it was strong enough to bear tho large quantity of cargo which would be taken from a direct steamer. The motion was agreed to. Wharf at I'arnell.—Mr. George moved, " That the Foreman of Works be instructed to draw up plans and specifications with an estimate of the cost of a wharf for ferry steamers at Campbell's Point, or any more suitable site at Parnell." He said that when the plans and specifications had been received he would speak of the means by which he thought this work could be under- ; taken. The motion was adopted.