HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14928, 28 February 1912, Page 5

HARBOUR BOARD.

WATCHMEN ON SHIPS.

AN UNPOPULAR REGULATION.

PLEA FOR EXEMPTION.

The Auckland Harbour Board met yesterday. Present Messrs. J. H. Gunson (chairman), C. Bagley, J. E. Taylor, E. W. Alison, A. J. Entrican, P. Virtue, A. Keyes, and 11, D. Heather. The secret of tho Marine Department wrote in reply to the Board's request regarding enforcement of clause 8 of. the general harbour regulations, which re quires that a nightwatchman shall remain on board all vessels. The Minister did not see his way to make any alteration in the regulations, which were in force in ! all the harbours in the Dominion; but the Board could, of course, instruct tb« harbourmaster in regard to his exercising of powers of exemption given in thoclsiM?/:. The international collision regulation required that all vessels at anchor should carry anchor lights, whit;?' ould only be properly attended to by someone being on board. Reporting on this subvet the harbourmaster stated that the exemptions- applied only to vessels of 50 tons gross or less. On the motion of Mr. Entrican it was resolved, " That the letter be referred to the Board in committee, with a view to having it discussed at the next harbour board's conference." There was a certain class of vessels, numerous in Auckland, which should be relieved from the observance of the regulation. The motion was carried. A letter from the Now Zealand Shipowners' Federation urged that the exemptions under the clause should be extended to vessels up to 100 tons register and this letter was also referred to tho committee. THE TIDE DEFLECTOB,. GAP TROUBLES SMALL SHIPS. A petition from John McKenzie and four other masters in the Northern Steamship Company's service was forwarded by Mr. C. Ranson, manager of the company. The petition drew attention to the gap existing in the tide deflector at the Railway Wharf. The gap allowed a strong cross-current to pass, and the small steamers had great difficulty in backing out of their berths. Mr. Ranson, in a covering letter, requested the Board to remedy the difficulty, which to small and low-powered vessels was a serious one. The subject was referred to the committee and harbourmaster. MECHANICS' BAY RECLAMATION. COST OF THE SEWER. A copy of the Order-in-Courcil authorising the Board to carry out the proposed reclamation of 38 acres at Mechanics Bay was .received. The chairman explained j that this was the area agreed upon by : the Board and the Railway Department for the railway goods yard. . The - Board had now full authority to proceed with the work. The letter was received. . The City Council wrote, declining to take any responsibility in the matter of extending the Mechanics' Bay sewer as requested by the Board, in order to enable it to carry out its reclamation works. The matter was referred to the committee.

. THE PRICE OF WATER. CHARGES TO SHIPPING. The City Council wrote that it could not see its way to reduce charges for water supplied to the Board. Mr. Taylor said it seemed to him extraordinary that water should cost 2s 3d j per 1000 gallons to the Board, when it j could be sold to a small local body at lOd j per 1000 gallons. Mr. Entrican said Mr. Taylor did not know all the facts. The Board offered; 2s 3d per 1000 gallons if the Council would j relinquish supplying the vessels. The City Council had to maintain an enormous catchment area, and provide more and more expensive water mains; and there was every prospect that the cost of water to the citizens would have to be increased. Mr. Alison said he thought the. charge excessive, and that it could not be defended. It implied a heavy tax upon shipping; and if water could be supplied to the Board at a lower cost, and the charge to shipping reduced, a great benefit would be conferred. - The letter was referred to the Board in committee."

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. VERANDAHS FOR THE SHEDS. " On the recommendation of a special subcommittee it was decided to erect a verandah, 166 ft wide, on. the western side of shed Fon the Queen-street Wharf. Consideration of the question of making a similar addition to the other two sheds was deferred until the sheds on the western side of the wharf are erected; but provision is to be made for supports for a verandah on shed H. The secretary of the "Harbour Boards' Association wrote that the executive was inquiring into the question of uniformity of service conditions among Harbour Board employees. He asked for information regarding sick leave, accident pay, and annual leave. A reply embodying the required information was authorised. The harbourmaster reported that the launch A.H.B. had been used by the police at intervals since the last meeting for harbour patrol duty. The Waitemata County Councd wrote asking the Board to erect a jetty at Henderson Point (Te Atatu), as such a provision would be of great value to the settlers. The application was referred to the committee and the engineer and harbourmaster to report. The Harbour Board's employees wrote askine for permission to hold their annual Sicnic on March 23, and extending a hearty invitation to the Board to be present Permission was granted, and the Svitatiou acknowledged; and it was. decided to grant £10 towards tho picnic The town clerk wrote that the City Council intended to lay a 6in water main to the Quay-street Wharf. The plans for the stone embankment, at Mechanics' Bay were approved, and it was decided to call tenders for the work.