AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12856, 3 May 1905, Page 7

AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD.

A HEKTIXG of the Auckland Harbour Jkiard was hehl yesterday afternoon, there being present: Hon. E. Mitehelson (chairman), Messrs. W. J. W. Philson, G. W. Baslay, ('. C. Dacre, A. Keyes, W. J. Napier, S. 0. Brown, and W. E. Hutchison.

Resignation: Mr. J. A. Walker wrote stating that as he was not .seeking r»-eleo-ion to the Devonport Borough Council lie desired to tender his resignation as representative on the Board for that borough. He thanked the Board for their many courtesies while he was a member. On the motion of the cbairmar the resignation was received and accepted, and the thanks of the Board tendered to Mr. Walker for his services to the Board.

The City Refuse: The town clerk (Mr. H. W. \\ilson) wrote stating that as the City Council had been compelled to make provision lor conveying the household reluse out to sea, they needed berthage for a scow, and asked the Board to allot them a position on tho western side of the Hob-son-street Wharf. Tho harbourmaster reported that the Kauri, scow, was at present employed in the work, and was occupying a berth that was often used for intercolonial steamers. The work caused a great deal of inconvenience to those using the wharves, and during a gale, while the carts were being tipped into the scow, a. largo quantity ot dirt, dust, and papers blew into the harbour, making it impossible to berth a large steamer near the spot. The harbourmaster suggested that berth R-E, at the east side .the Railway Wharf, be used, or if the Hobson-stroet Wharf was granted the permission bo conditional on the scow being- removed to the RailwayWharf when required. The application was received and acceded to, power being given to the harbourmaster to allot the berthage according to the requirements of shipping. Change of Berthage: A letter was received from Messrs. A. 11. Nathan and Co. stating that the s.s. Banffshire would require to berth at the Railway Wharf to take a cargo of frozen meat, and at the Queen-street. Wharf to take a cargo of timber, and asked that the vessel be removed from one wharf to the other without fees being charged. Tho application was granted. The chairman remarked that as these requests were becoming far too numerous, lie bad spoken to the harbourmaster on the matter, arid hoped to have something definite to put before them next meeting. Carbide of Calcium : The local manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company wrote asking if the Board regarded carbide of calcium as an explosive, and if they would allow a steamer having (hat chemical on board to berth alongside a wharf. The letter stated that carbide of calcium had been placed under the Explosives Act in London, and that, their steamers wero consequently only shipping it for the first port of call. The letter was referred to the inspector of explosives for a report. Traffic Manager's Report: The traffic manager, in his report, requested an additional supply of 20 tarpaulins and some new trucks, as be was forced to borrow these articles from some of the shipping companies when the Board's business is heavy. The requests were granted. Works and Tariff Committee.: The Works and Tariff Committee recommended that the plan and specification in connection with the Birkenhead improvements be submitted to the Governor-in-Council for approval, and that tho Board's solicitor be instructed to prepare a draft agreement between the Birkenhead Borough Council and tlm Board, I'hey also recommended that the application of the Railway Department to remove material from St. Barnabas' Point be allowed, provided the work be done to the approval of the Board's engineer. The matter of the survey in Shoal Bay and the encroachment of tho (Jus Company on the Board's land was recommended to lie referred to the Board's solicitors to investigate and report. The report was adopted.