AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14581, 18 January 1911, Page 5

AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD

A MEMBER'S GRIEVANCE.

"WHO IS THIS BRADNfiT?"

The first meeting of the Auckland Harbour

Board sinco December was .held yesterday afternoon, there being present: Messrs. A. J. Entrican (chairman), W. G. Hutchison, W. J. Napier, J. H. Bradney, J. M Mennie, .T. 11. Gunson, A. Keycs, G. W. Basley, and Captain G. McKfinzio. Mr. Bradney moved: " That the resolution of the Board, adopting , tho report of the committee sot up to inquire as to the allegations contained in .Mr. Bradney's letter to tho Herald, published on December 2, 1910, bo now rescinded." Ho held that the Board had no right to set up a committee to inquire into any action, of a member that was committed outside of the Board. In any case the Board was not entitled to sot up the committee without notice. The committee and Board seemed to have boon quite satisfied to brand him as Ananias tho second.

Tho Chairman: No, George Washing ten!

Mr. Bradney said whilst he did not care too"straws-about' tho opinions of the committee 110 did not feel disposed to have his name appearing 011 the permanent records of tho Board as the greatest liar of tho age. Someone in tho future might be overhauling these records and might be asking, " Who is this great Bradney who 'could lie like Ananias?" It was a serious thing to publicly brand a man as a liar in this way. People who knew him were aware that he was 110 liar, hut it was a serious thing when such an allegation was placed on the public records. If it had been done legally it would not have mattered, but it had been done illegally. - .

Mr. G. W. Basley seconded tho motion, which on being put without further discussion was lost, tho mover and seconder alono

supporting it.

ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRY.

A FURTHER REPORT.

The committee appointed to inquire into matters connected with tho administration of the different departments of the Board submitted tho following report:—(l) "That for the purpose of carrying out the resolution of tho Board adopted on November 8, 1910, regarding appointment of inspecting engineer, applications bo called for tho position of testing officer, and that the present testing officer (Mr. Holderness) be promoted to position of inspecting engineer." (2) "That no further action bo taken at present regarding appointment of storekeeper." (3) "That tenders bo called for the supply of a a small- motor car for the engineer's department." (4) "That fidelity guarantee insurance be obtained for tho following officers at' the amounts named, . viz.: Secretary, £500; treasurer, £1000; cashier, £500; assistant cashier, £250; chief clerk, treasurer's department, £250; storekeeper, £300; and stores clerk, £100." (5) "That the appointment of a cadet and temporary , draftsman in the engineer's department bo left in the hands of tho chairman." The report was adopted. 1 " • : THE BOARD'S FREEHOLDS.

A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE.

A letter was received from the Northcote Borough Council asking that the tidal basin at Shoal Bay ho vested in tho Council absolutely, in view of the great expense that reclamation would '> involvo.

The Chairman moved: "That the request be declined," and stated that he was strongly of opinion that the Board should not part with the fee simple of any of its lands. _ Mr. Mennie, in, seconding the motion, endorsed the remarks of the chairman.

Mr. Keycs said a petition was to be sent to tho Board on the subject, and lie asked that tho matter be deferred for a fortnight. The. Chairman said the resolutionywould not interfere with tho petitioners' request coming before the Board. ' • Mr. Ke.yes said that the value of the land on tho city. side of the harbour was much greater than that on the northern side. The Chairman: It is not a question of value, it is a question of principle. Mr. Keyes said ho thought the matter was chiefly one of value. Tho chairman's motion was carried.

GENERAL ITEMS.

THE CANAL SCHEME.

* A letter was received' from i.he Hamilton Chamber of Commerce conveying copies of the resolutions passed at the conference of local bodies held at Hamilton on December 7. in regard to the proposed canal scheme. Tho letter was referral to tho Finance and Legal Committee. A letter on the subject was also received from the Auckland Provincial Industrial Association, which asked to bo kept informed from time to time regarding tho progress of tho ■movement, and stated that it would bo glad to co-operate in any way possible to bring _ tho proposed scheme to a satisfactory fruition. _ The Takapuna .Tramways and Ferry Company asked that a light bo placed on tho outermost beacon at the entrance to the O'Neil's Point channel. The harbourmaster reported that owing to the construction of tho steamer Pupuke the master was unablo to seo tho leading lights on tho wharf without going out of the channel, and that a light as suggested would improve tho navigation of the channel. A 500-c..p. Lux light would cost £17, oil and daily attendance approximately £52 per annum; an acetone flashing light would cost £300, and gas and attention, say. £40 per annum. The application was referred to the Works Committee. ; A petition was presented by Mr. Hutchison from the Ponsonby Cruising Club, stating that they had been granted St. Mary's Bay as a mooring-ground, but were now informed that a sawmill was about to bo erected on the-reclamation, the booms for which would deprive them of tlio space allotted to them, and praying the Board to take steps to protect their interests. Tho letter was referred to the Works Committee. It was resolved that in regard to tho letter from the City Coroner, forwarding jury's rider in relation to tho Schaffer fatality, "That a reply bo forwarded to the Coroner that tho Board regrets it. cannot soo its way to carry out the recommendations of tho jury, as, in its opinion, tho provision of stanchions and chain, would not lessen the danger." 1 It, was resolved, "That •the Ferry Company bo written to, drawing attention, to the damage don© to'dolphin at Birkenhead Wharf, and to the fact that sufficient eato is not being taken, and that the Board wi effect repairs and chargo the cost of same to the company." It was resolved, "That tlio engineer report as to suitable places on the foreshore of Hauraki Gulf for obtaining supplies o' shinglo and sand, and that the secretary interview the Commissioner of Crown Lands regarding permits from the Crown to remove shinglo and sand from tho foreshore." The Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association wrote asking for the use of one of the sheds on the - Queen-street Wharf, for tho purpose of the next winter show, to be held about the end of May next. The application was referred to the Works Committee.

The Colonial Sugar Company forwarded a plan of proposed alterations and additions to its wharf at Clielsea. The matter was referred to tho "Works Committee.

The harbourmaster, in a letter, drew attention to the steamer Pitoitoi running between Auckland and Bayswater without being licensed by tho Board. Messrs. Bradlify and Binns, owners of the steamer, wrote stating that tho steamer was not intended as a ferry boat, and that therefore, in their opinion, no license was required. The matter was referred to the Finance and Legal Committee.