AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11581, 20 February 1901, Page 7

AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD

The first meeting of the newly-elected Harbour Board took,place yesterday afternoon at the offices of the Board, Quay-street. Their were present : Messrs. W. J. Napiar, W. Gunson. W. J. W. Philson. C. ('. Darre, D. Goldie (Mayor of Auckland), 0. D. Grey, George Cozens, A. R. Harris, J. Stichbury and A. Kidd. Chairmanship : Messrs. A. 11. Nathan and Alfred Kidd were nominated for the position of chairman for tho ensuing term. On .a vote being taken Mr. Kidd was elected. Messrs. Niccol, Stichbury, Philson, (-3 oldie and Witheford voted for the successful candidate, and Messrs. Gunson, Napier and Daoro for Mr. Nathan. Messrs. Grey, Cozens and Harris arrived after the vote was taken. Mr. Kidd returned thanks, and said lie would endeavour to carry out all the duties attached to the office. On the motion of Mr. Niccol it was decided that a vote of thanks to Mr. J. H. AVitheford, the, retiring chairman, be recorded on the minutes for the admirable manner in which he had carried out his duties.

Selling Fruit on the Wharf: The Auckland Fruit and Produce Association forwarded a complaint to the effect that the Board's sheds on the wharf were being made conveniences of by certain persons for the purpose of storing and retailing consignments of fruit. It was claimed that this was a breach of the Board's by-laws, and (lint it wns not fair to other merchants. The matter was referred to ■ the .Finance and Lcenl Committee.

The Elections : Mr. Napier raised the question of the legality of the Board's constitution and pointed out that the notice from the Chamber of Commerce re Mr. Philson's election had been signed by the secretary of that body instead of the chairman. It was agreed that the Chamber be asked' to rectify the error. Mr. Napier also referred to the recommendations of the committee. He pointed out that the new members were elected on February 11, but the old committee sat on the 14th, so that that meeting was quite irregular. The standing orders, were suspended and committees were elected as under:—Finance and Legal Committee Messrs. Kidd. Cozens, Grey, Nathan. Philson and Witheford. Works and Tariff: Messrs. Kidd. Witheford, Napier, Niccol, Gunson, Stichbury, Harris, Dacre and Goldie. The committees confirmed most of the recommendations of the old committees, which were then adopted. Report of the Works and Tariff Committee: The following recommendations of the Works and Tariff Committee were adopt Storage of goods, etc., on Birkenhead Wharf: That crane he repaired ; that the secretary submit regulations for the control of the Birkenhead Wharf and shed. Berthing nocommodation, Northern Steamship Company: That, pending further accommodation being provided, dredging be done on the eastern side of Quay-street jetty No. 4, at the earliest opportunity. Cattle landing: That the harbourmaster and foreman of works report as to the most suitable site for wharf for cattle landing: estimate of cost of wharf to be submitted. Berthing accommodation for small vessels: That when the entrance to Railway Wharf (at present under lease) is available, same bo widened and made suitable for berthing accommodation for the smaller class of vessels. Foreman of works' visit to Australia: That the foreman of works submit a- comprehensive scheme, together with plans and estimates, for ferry landings, to provide for vehicular traffic and carriage of cargo between the north and south . shores of the harbour. Tenders for electric lighting of launch: That Messrs. Steuart and Fenn's tender be accepted. Several clauses, including the question of calling tender* for silt piints, were referred back to tho committee for reconsideration. • New Western Tee: The foreman of wotks reported that Mr. Martin, the contractor for the new western tee at Queen-street Wharf, would commence work shortly. He (the contractor) had received notice that the Board had now sufficient piles in stock..to enable the work to be proceeded with. The harbourmaster - forwarded a report, urging that the Work be pushed on, as the accommodation was needed. Calliope Dock Sheer-legs :_ Mr. Napier moved in accordance with notice, " That a joint opinion be obtained from Messrs. Ware, Stewart, Boylan, and Hunter, civil engineers, upon the foundations for sheerlegs at Calliope Dock, such opinion to state the best site for sheer-legs and the best and most economical method of laying the foundations and estimate of cost of same, the proposals of Mr. Metcalfe and all other data to be placed at the disposal of the engineers mentioned." Mr. Napier explained that the sheer-legs in the estimate submitted to the Admiralty stood at about £18.009, hut Mr. Metcalfe's estimate was £51,000. Before communicating with the Admiralty on the question, he considered that the Board should refer the matter to the engineers he had mentioned in his motion. He thought that it should he made quite clear, however, that there was not a discrepancy between the estimates, but that # the work in tlie two estimates was quite different. It was a question of method. Mr. Goldie, as an amendment, moved to the effect that the Board request, tho Government to allow the Engiiiecr-iii-Chief to give the information required, and this vfus adopted. Dredge No. 121: Mr. Napier moved, and it Was agreed, " That the Works and Tariff Committee inquire into and report upon the present method of working dredger 121. the committee to have power to call for all persons and papers in connection therewith." Mr. Napier said ho understood that the working of the dredge was very Unsatisfactory. There was a conflict of authority on board, which was inimical to the interests of the Board and the public.