AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11541, 28 November 1900, Page 6

AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD

The fortnightly meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board, held yesterday afternoon, was attended by Messrs. M. Niccol (presiding in the absence of the chairman, Mr. J. H. Witheford, M.H.R.), J. T. Julian, Alex. Alison, C. C. Dacre, W. W. Philson, C. D. Grey, J Stichbury, A. R. Harris, and J. Thomes. v " - Harbour Dues: The collector of Customs, replying to a letter from the Board, pointing out that the s.s. Maori had been allowed to clear outwards before paying harbour dues, stated that in future care would be taken that no vessel should be allowed to clear till the production of a certificate from the Board stating that all dues had been paid. The secretary (Mr. J. M. Brigham) explained that the Maori and other vessels had been allowed to leave, and sometimes the Board had experienced great difficulty in getting the dues.

Insurance: Several merchants, representing oompanies, wrote asking that the Board's property should be insured in their offices. They pointed out that they were large contributors to the Board's revenue by the payment of wharfage, rent, and other dues. The Chairman explained that some little time ago the Board resolved to effect its insurances with the two local offices South British and New Zealand. Mr. Stichbury suggested that the matter should go to the. Finance and _ Legal Committee. He considered that it should be looked into, as it was causing dissatisfaction among their tenants. The letter was signed on behalf of the Guardian. London and Lancashire, Norwich Union, Sun, and United Companies. The matter was sent on to the Finance and Legal Committee. Counterpoise Stage Site: The foreman of works (Mr. J. Taylor) recommended that the counterpoise stage for vehicular traffic be placed on the western side of Queen-street wharf, near the weighbridge, which would have to be removed. - Mr. Dacre and Mr. Stichbury thought that the proposed site was too valuable to be used for such" a purpose. Mr. Stichbury said they required more room than they could get at that spot for the vehicles. Upon his motion the matter was deferred for two months, and it was agreed that Mr. Taylor should visit Sydney •at the expense of the Board, to inspect the working of the counterpoise stages at that port. Transference from Loan to General Account : The Finance and Legal Committee recommended that a balance due to the general account from loan account No. 3 bo transferred. The secretary explained that a number of harbour works which should be charged to loan account had been constructed out of the general account. The general account was overdrawn some £10,000, on Mfiiich the Board paid five per cent, interest, and the loan account was in credit some £23,000, for which the Board received only three per cent, interest. The works referred to included wharf construction, etc., and the amount which was due to the general account was £16,020. The Chairman pointed out that it was only recently that the Board's general account had been overdrawn. The Board adopted the committee's recommendation. A Dangerous Target: A report was read from the harbourmaster stating that when big-gun practice was recently taking place at the North Shore forts, a shot or a piece of a shot fell within 50yds of the powder hulk. Mr. Philson said the area within which the volunteers could practice was limited, and he suggested that the Board should shift the hulk. The secretary said they could not do that without getting the license altered. Th« present" position was that fixed by Colonel jpenton. It was decided to send a copy of the report to the authorities at the forts. A Cattle-landing: Upon the motion' of Mr. Dacre, it was resolved that the Works and Tariff Committee should consider the necessity of providing a suitable cattle-landing for the Port of Auckland. He pointed out that there were no facilities at present. Mr. Harris strongly supported the motion, and in doing so pointed out that the present method of landing beasts in scows was not only cumbersome, but often cruel. A letter from Mr. Gerald Peacocko, advocating the provision of a proper landing, was also read.