AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14226, 24 November 1909, Page 5

AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD

THE RAILWAY WHARF.

CLAIMS UPON BERTHAGE.

TnE Auckland Harbour Board met yesterday afternoon, when those present were: The chairman (Hon. E. Mitchelson), Messrs. W. E. Hutchison, G. W. Basley, W. J. Napier, J. H. Bradney, J. K. Kneen, H. M. Smeeton, J. H. Gunson, A. Keyes, J. B. Macfarlane, and Captain G. McKenzie. A complaint against vessels loading frozen meat at the Queen-street W barf, instead of at the Railway Wharf, was made by the secretary of the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company, Limited (Mr. H. G. Stringer). The harbourmaster reported on the subject, and the chairman said, unfortunately, there were only two berths at the Railway Wharf that could bo let to this class of vessel, and 1 every one of them wanted to berth there instead of at the Queen-street Wharf. It was decided that a copy of the harbourmaster's report be forwarded to Mr. Stringer. Mr. Bradney moved upon notice, " That in future a monthly statement be furnished showing the amounts expended on the Railway Wharf and sheds for repairs and maintenance."

• Upon the suggestion of ; Mr. Napier, the motion Was carried in an amended form, which provides that a monthly , statement shall be furnished by the secretary showing the amount expended on all works of the Board which are in progress. Mr. Bradney moved, according to notice, for certain information respecting the contracts with the Ferro-Concrete Company for construction of the Railway Wharf. He said he applied at the secretary's office two or three times, but could not obtain tho information he required. Mr. Gunson: Did you ask the engineer? Mr. Bradney; No; I can't go round to all ; the officers of the Board. Mr. Gunson: If Mr. Bradney wants this information, I don't see why he should not have it. ; The motion was carried. POWDER HULK EXPLOSION.

THE CARETAKER'S LOSSES.

John Finch, caretaker of the powder hulk, which was accidentally blown up in the harbour a fortnight ago, furnished the Board with a full report.of his sensational experiences. He stated that he and his wife had lost the whole of their furniture, clothing, personal effects, and £15 in money. Mr. Basley suggested an effort to obtain evidence in confirmation of Finch's

story..' . . Mr. Macfarlane believed the story to be quite true. He thought that the Board should accept Finch's explanation, and give him some assistance in his trouble.

The Chairman: There is no doubt that he stuck to his post manfully under most trying circumstances. Members: Hear, hear. It was decided to hold an inquiry in committee, both Finch and his predecessor to be present, and to consider the matter of assisting Finch. x

FREE KINDERGARTENS.

SEEKING FOR A SITE.

The secretary of the Auckland Kindergarten Association (Mr. E. Brooke-Smith) approached the Board with a request for a lease of 10€"23 (100 ft by 30ft) in the Victoria Park, as a site for the first of the free kindergartens which it is proposed to establish at Auckland, for the benefit of the children of the poorer classes. The Chairman said he was at a. loss to account for the City Council's refusal of a site fronting on Beaumont-street. Mr. Napier suggested that there was no reason why a clause should not be included in the Auckland-Manukau Empowering Bill, providing for the granting of a site for a kindergarten, just as had been done in the case of the Seamen's Home.

The matter was referred to the Board in committee. .

MANUKAU HARBOUR BILL.

THE NEW BY-LAWS.

It was decided to hold a special meeting fit- two p.m. on Wednesday next to consider the report of Mr. Napier in connection with his visit to Wellington concerning the Bill to provide for the vesting of the Manukau Harbour in the control of the Auckland Harbour Board. Mr. Napier remarked that the Board were getting practically fill they asked for, with the exception of the payment of a small sum to the Railway Department, as representing the value of the wharf, in which the Government, was interested. The piece of land known as the Basin was also required to serve as a recreation ground for. residents of Onehunga. He (Mr. Napier) thought that this was quite right. ' The Board decided to hold a special meeting at the conclusion of the foregoing meeting to consider the alteration of bylaws and to receive a deputation on the matter. MISCELLANEOUS. A I'ARNELL LANDSLIP. The Parnell Borough Council wrote- insisting upon steps being taken within 30 days to effect the necessary repairs to protect Selwyn Terrace from further impending damage as a result of land slips. The letter was referred to the Board in committee, the engineer to report. A notice of motion was standing in Mr. Bradney's name as follows:—"That the Drainage Board be instructed to carry out Mr. G. Midgley Taylor's recommendation to syphon the sewerage across Orakei Creek." The chairman, however, intimated that he would not allow it to be moved, because it was not in order. Mr. Bradney rose to speak, but was confronted with, a request from the chairman to resume his seat. Mr. Bradney : I don't want to move it, but is it a crime to bring anything before this Board that is not in accordance with your views? When I rise to make an explanation I object to being told to sit down. The chairman expressed the hope that Mr. Bradney would not take the matter in a personal way. In ruling the motion out of order he was simply following Parliamentary procedure. Writing on behalf of several property-, holders, who feared that their riparian rights would be affected as the result of the sewage works at Hobson Bay, Mr. R. Spencer made certain inquiries as to methods of procedure in connection with the work. In moving that the letter be received the chairman remarked that the whole of the information was embodied in the Auckland Drainage Act, and it was for those questioning the procedure to consult their solicitors on the matter.

Mr. C. A. Whitney wrote correcting a statement which had been made at one of the Board meetings recently to the effect that the float tests carried out by himself and Captain Whyte in connection with the sewerage scheme were taken from a point 400 ft inside, or inshore, of the 6ewer outlet. The chairman said that the Act clearly provided that the outfall was to be where fixed by Mr. Midgley Taylor. Several tenders were received for the supply of cement for the Board's works for a period of 12 months, including two from - New Zealand firms, namely, Wilsons Portland Cement Company and New Zealand Portland Cement Cmpany, at 5a per bag, less 3d per bag ,for sacks returned in good order. The prices of the local tenderers being the same, it was decided to halve the orders between them*