HARBOUR BOARD.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 375, 6 July 1877, Page 3

HARBOUR BOARD.

+ The usual fortnightly meeting of the Board was held to-day, at the Harbour Chambers. There were present—Messrs. Steward (in the chair), Siirimski, Reid, Lemon, Borrie, and Menlove. MIXUTES. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

REPORT OF ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE. The report of the Committee appointed to consider the best mode of dealing with the endowment was read. Tiie Committee recommendad that the members for the district should bo requested to wait upon the Government on arriving in Wellington, and point out that the Harbour Board considers tiiat the land granted to it is in jeopardy of being alienated from the objects which it was intended to secure, by being sold or re-let as a whole, the Board believing that such was not the intention when the endowment was granted, nor in the interests of the objects for which it was granted to the Board. It is therefore deemed that the land should be vested in the Board as trustees, with power to lease only in such areas not exceeding , and for such number of years not exceeding ; and that with this object the Government be requested to bring in a short Bill making snch provisions ; or, failing their so doing, that their support be solicited for such a measure, to be introduced by the members for the district. Mr. Shrimski stated that he had not promised to support a Bill vesting the property in the Board, as he considered it better that the endowment should be vested in trustees. The report was then adopted. STANDING COMMITTEE. The report of the Standing Committee was read, the principal recommendations being as follows :—That the property on the Cape be fenced in, and the land let by public auction for a term jf seven years, with a clause enabling the Board to re-enter into possession on giving six months' notice. That, in consideration of increased responsibility in the pilot's duties, an advance of LI per month in addition to his present salary be granted. With reference to a letter from Captain Sewell, asking the Board to take action with regard to the retiring allowance due to him on his 14 years' service, the Standing Committee recommended that, copies of the correspondence on the matter should be forwarded to the General Government, with a request for them to use I their influence to obtain a settlement oi Capiajn Sewell's claim in an equitablt the motion of Mr. Shrimski, se.■uuied by Mr. B.EID, the first paragraph, referring to the fencing and leasing of rue Cape Reserve, was adopted, and the .Standing Committee was empowered to prepare a lease providing for, among other witters, the keeping of the fence in good order, and paying rates and taxes. The second paragraph, recommending the granting of an increase of salary to Mr. Shand, the pilot, of LI a month, was also adopted. On the third paragraph being read, having reference to an application from Captain Sewell for the payment of the retiring allowance due to him for his 1-i pars' service, some discussion took place. The recommendation of the Committee, together with the draft of letter to be forwarded to the Hon. D. Reid, were adopted. OUTWARD CORRESPONDENCE. A quantity of outward correspondence Wa3 read niifl fvrinmvprl

GCXPOWDER. The following letter was read from Captain Sewell with reference to a communication received by him from Mr. Secretary for Customs : Oamaru, 30th June, 1577Sir,—l beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2Sth inst., relative to the shipment and unshipment of gunpowder and other explosives, together with enclosed circular from the Secretary of Customs on the same subject. I beg respectfully to briu<* to the Board's notice that there has not been any place appointed at this port as gunpowder anchorage, or place for landing gunpowder, nor is 'here a boat fitted for its conveyance in accordance with section 93 of the Xew Zealand Harbour Kegulatious. As most of the gunpowder hitherto imported into Oamaru has been by steamers, latterly they coming alongside the wharf ?nd amongst other vessels, thereby infringes section 94 of the Regulations, it is desirable that the above-mentioned places and beat should be appointed as early as possible, ! °that the Kegulatious respecting gunpow- [* should be enforced, as requested by the fctttfary of Customs.—l have, &c. William Sewfll, „ Harbour-Master. " e Secretary, Oamaru Harbour Board.

I On the motion of Mr. Shrimski, bonded by Mr. Mexlove, the matter preferred to the Standing Committee, 'ith power, in conjunction with the Har-°ir-iMaster, to carry out the work. DRAIXAGE "WAXTED. A letter from the Municipal Council preference to the stoppage of the main ■* e r near the cement shed by the ,J <ttcl's railway, and requesting the Board "ave the matter attended to, was reto the Standing Committee to M; upon. THE LOAX. * letter was read from Mr. Herdman, '•"'■t -,un of L04:,G90 17s. Bd. had been - : f* the credit of the Board as the --e is £iG3,OOO loan, after paying c!iar'j»i'> f._■>?:' brokerage, advertising, ;■_ to LBG j Is lOd. A also accompanied the letter.

I ACCOUNTS. I A number of accounts and the wages I sheet were passed for payment. I ' DISPOSAL OF FUXD.S. The Secretary called the attention of the Board to tlie fact that it had now about L 36,000 to its credit in the Bank, and suggested that some of the money should be placed on fixed deposits for certain periods. After some discussion, it was resolved to place L 20,000 on deposit for twelve months, and L7OOO for six months, the balance to be left to the current account. It was stated that the Board would receive interest at the rate of 6 per cent, upon the money deposited for twelve months ; oh per cent, upon that for six months, and 4 per cent, upon the current account. This being the whole of the business | before the meeting, the Board adjourned. I