AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11149, 23 August 1899, Page 3

AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD.

m usual meeting of the Auckland Harbour iLd was held yesterday afternoon, at the T„. Quay-street. Mr. Malcolm Niccol °Sd (in the absence of Mr. W.J. Nap '' and there were also present: fr-n* Wacky, Gunson, Heather, Philson, 0i : Stichbury, Julian, Witheford, and

T?,>les re Gangways and Lights: The secreof the Marino Department wrote informthe Board that general harbour regulaM „ had been made providing that cargo »1b and hulks of over 100 tons register l -~ alongside wharves are to have proper and gangway lights; and that els between 20 and 100 tons, on board of f Wch persons reside, are to have a light burn- • at the most suitable .dace for the guid,D® 0 [ persons going on board and leaving vessels. The communication was re*sihitlie Wharf: Mr. H. T. Blyth sug,ed in a letter to the Board that the piles "kWi might be taken out while repairs were jLing effected at Queen-street Wharf, could used in tbo construction of the GreenKhc Wharf. Oil the motion of Mr. Gunson. J? letter wa o referred to the Works and j Tariff Committee for a report. Mr. Niccol raid the piles taken from the Queen- j rfreet Wharf would most likely be , „ted at other wharves in '' ie har- : bour, but he had no doubt that tho i Board would assist the struggling settlers if it could in the way indicated by Mr. Blyth. He understood that the settlors had conBiddable difficulty in raising their contribution (£200) towards the cost of the wharf. Road off Quay-street Writing in reply to an application from the Board, the actingtown clerk (Mr. Alex. Gorrie) stated that the engineer reported that the cost of forming the road off Quay-street by the Loan and Mercantile Company's office, would be about £100. The Board agreed to go on with the ttork, with the clear understanding that the road would be taken over by the Council tfhen completed. Admiralty House Site: Mr. Niccol reported taring waited on tho School Commissioners with regard to securing the commissioners' interest in the site of the proposed Admiralty Houso in Emily Place. A letter was received from the commissioners conveying the following resolution adopted by them:—"That in order to further tho intention of the Harbour Board to provide a new Admiralty House, it he agreed that, provided the Board acquires the lease of allotment 1 of section 8 from Messrs, Boylan and Dufnur, the commis(ioners will waivo the building clause in that lease: and also, that in the event of the Board arranging with the Government to give land equivalent in value elsewhere, the commissioners will consent to exchange the allotment for such land." The matter was referred to the Finance and Legal Committeo, and it was agreed to thank the commissioners for their courtesy in receiving the deputation from the Board which waited upon thorn. Watermen's Watches: The harbourmaster reported that the watermen had not been keeping their night watches, as provided by the Board's by-laws. In reference to this matter, Mr. John Griffiths wrote stating that as there were only two licensed watermen, it meant that they had to be on duty all night three and sometimes four times a week. In the witness' case his night earnings did not average 2s during the last year. He would not object to remain on duty at night provided he could make enough money, Mid could rest the next day. Mr. Niccol said the watermen were quite right; they were lalouring under considerable hardships. Mr. Julian pointed out it was only lately that tho by-law had been enforced. The Board decided to remit the matter to tho Finance 3rd Legal Committee for consideration. Works and Tariff Committeo: Tho Works and Tariff Committee report, as under, was adopted:— Storage of baulk timber—That a reply be sent to Mr. D. Goldie and the Waitemata Sawmill Company, that when they are required to remove baulk timber from Mechanics' Bay, the Board will leaso foreshore at St. George's Bay, as recommended by the harbourmaster, on conditions to be prepared by this committee. 2. Specifications for steam launch and machinery for same— That consideration lie deferred for one month. 3. Repairs to Railway Wharf— consideration be deferred until next meeting of tho committee. 4. Low-level landing, Chelsea— That consideration be deferred until next meeting of the committee. 5. Damago to shed, otc., Hobsonville—That a letter be sent to the inspector of police upon the matter, and that a notice bo rd be erected upon the ehed, offering a reward upon the oonviction of any person damaging the shed, or making obsceno writings therein or thereon. 6. Shed, Ponionby Naval Artillery— site bo granted, subject to the condition that such shed shall bo removed upon one month's notice being given to that effect. Finance and Legal Committee: The Finance and Legal Committee roported that consideration of the following matters had been Extension Freeman's Bay reclamation contract; site for baths, Ponsonby; sub-committee's report as to shipping charges. Wharf at Brick Bay: Three tenders were received for tho construction of a wharf at Brick Bay. The foreman of works' estimate for the wharf was £1700. The tender of Mr. R. White (£1574) being tho lowest, was accepted. The other tenderers were: Mr. R. E. Martin, £1586, and Mr. A. Watson, £1590. Vehicular Ferry: In accordance with notice Mr. J. H. Witheford moved, "That tho Board construct vehicular ferry steamers and docks for same, or arrange for such to be provided, in order to facilitate the transport of live stock, produce, cargo, and vehicles across the harbour." He mentioned that he personally was not in favour of tho Board constructing the steamers, etc., unless it was in a position to do so, but he had put that in his motion in order to let the members discuss it. Mr. Witheford asked Mr. Brigham if the Board's finances would warrant them providing the plant themselves. Mr. Brigham replied that at the end of the year he estimated the Board's overdraft would amount to £6000. Mr. Witheford said in tho face of the treasurer's statement, he did not think they would be justified in incurring the expenditure, so they would have to fall back upon the alternative provided in his motion. Hr. thought the lime had arrived when they should provide some such arrangement. The sett'er who came to town with produce, etc., had to discharge tho whole of his load on the wharf on the other side of the harbour, put his goods on the steamer, and reverse the process when ho arrived on this side. It would be much better if the Board could provide some scheme by whiJi (ho pettier could '..ring his vehicle right across the water. He thought it was tho Board's duty to consider the requirements of the eettlers on tho other side of the harbour. If the Board did not feel justified in incurring the expenditure, then they should arrange with some company to take it over. Mr. Witheford pointed out that three year., ago the Ferry Company had offered to equip suitable steamers and docks, but the Board had not- entertained tho proposal. He had received the following from the manager of the Devonport Ferry Company" August 22, 1899. In reference to your proposal re floating stages, etc., I beg to draw your attention to our application to the Harbour Board, dated March 18. 1895, in which my company offered to build a suitable cargo boat, provided the Board would erect the necessary landings to enable such a steamer to he utilised ; or, if the Board wore not prepared to construct such landing, the company would do so at their own expense if the Board Would grant them the right to use same for a fixed period." Mr. Julivn seconded. Mr. Niccol said he approved of the principle of the Board carrying out the scheme if it were in a position to do so hut as it was not, the only thine to do would he to adopt the alternative. Re thought that the time had arrived when the Board should set apart ferry landings, which could be leased, the companies to keep them in good repair. Ho hoped the engineer (Mr. C. Napier Belli, who was at present reporting upon wharf accommodation in the harbour, would live attention to this matter also. Ho thought the matter might well be deferred till Mr. Bell's rnport came up. Mr. Witheford agreed to the matter beinsr deferred. On thp motion of Mr. Kidd. the Question was referred to the Works and Tariff Committee for tJvir report as to the best weans to give effect to Mr. Withoford's proposal.