HARBOUR BOARD.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 408, 18 August 1877, Page 3

HARBOUR BOARD.

The regular fortnightly meeting of the Board was held at the Harbour Chambers yesteiday morning. There were present, Messrs. Sumpter (Chairman), Reid, Gilchrist, Borrie, Menlove, Lemon, Meek, Steward. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. OUTWARD CORRESPONDENCE. The outward correspondence was read and approved. HARBOUR MASTER'S RETIRING ALLOWANCE.

A letter was read from Captain Sewell, asking for a reply to his letter of the 4th July last, with reference to the retiring allowance due to him for services under the Provincial Government.

| Mr. Steward explained that while he I was in Wellington the matter had been I brought under the notice of the GovernR ment, who refused to entertain it. I After consulting documentary evidence, and hearing Captain Sewell on the matter, the following resolutions, moved by Mr. Steward, and seconded by Mr. Reid, were agreed to : "1. That the Board admits no liability in respect of Captain Sewell's services as Harbour Master for the period during which he was in the employ of the Provincial Government, having taken over I: the Harbour Board staff on receiving the l delegattd powers without being asked to undertake, or agreeing to undertake, any "? responsibility as regards any past liabilities or engagements with the Harbour * staff (vide letter from Mr. Under-Stcre--1 tary Willis, dated May 8, IS7G ; also, ride letter from same to Hon. J. M'Lean, as number from Oamaru Town, dated June 1 12, 1875). "2. lhat it be recommended to Captain .1 Sewell that lie petition the House for payment of compensation in respect of his ; past services in Provincial employ, as a I Provincial liability existing at the time of \ Abolition, and that the Board, through | the Secretary, ask the members for the 1 district to support the prayer of such petition by moving an address to the Governor to place the necessary sum on i the Supplementary Estimates, the Board 1 being of opinion that as a similar allowi ance has been already paid in the case of ! Captain Thomson, Captain Sewell is fairly entitled to a like consideration."

HARBOUR BOARD ENDOWMENT. The following resolution was also passed unanimously :—"TI at the members for the district in the House of Representatives, the Minister for Lands, and the Eons. R, Camplell, H. J. Miller, and M. Holmes, nunibtrs of the Legislative Council, be. wiitten to, asking them to take the i.icissa! v steps to secure the land comprise. 7 ''•.' T he" Harbour Board Endowment from -:-le. :-;> that its rental fit 2>er-p,:iv-.<.rn may be available for the purposes of the eZid"w:::Lt!t, and further, to secure that the administration of the reserve shall be vested entirely in the hands of the Board, with power to lease only, and not to sell." THE TRAJJV. r AY. A letter from Messrs. T. H. Brown and F. H. IWnsend was read, expressing the desirability of having the space between the rail and Harbour-street siding filled

in with timber and protecting guard rails, and stating that by so doing the street ] would then have more available dray ;| space, and be in every way more conveI nit-nt to the lessees. ; On the motion of Mr. Steward, sc- \ conded by Mr. Bokkie, it was decided ! that the tramway should be placed in \ proper working order, as suggested, and | that thereafter the tenants should be required to keep in repair, in accordance \ with the terms of their leases.

ACCOUNTS. Accounts and the wages sheet, to the amount of L 3123 12s. 9d., were passed for payment. EXTENSION OF NO. 2 WHARF. A report from the Engineer with reference to the proposed extension of JS'o. 2 Wharf, suggi sting that the extension should be 50ft., and estimating the cost at LIBOO. It was resolved to adopt the Engineer's report, and authorise the extension of 50ft. to the wharf as suggested. SEVEN-TON CRANE. A report was also read from the Engineer with regard to the tenders for the supply of a seven-ton crane. The tender of Messrs. Kincaid and M'Queen, Dunedin, was accepted, the price being LB3O. The only other tender received was that of Messrs. Davidson and Co., Dunedin, LIICO.

CHARGES ON TIMBER. It was reported that the Chairman and Secretary had waited upon Mr. Lawson, General Manager of Railways., witli reference to a reduction on the charges upon timber. That gentleman had promised to take the matter into his favourable consideration, and forward a reply. It having been mentioned that there was some difference in the manner m which cnarges were made upon timber by the railway authorities and the Board, it was decided to assimilate the charges to those on the railway. NEW MEMBERS. On the mot ; on of Mr. Steward, it was resolved to suggest to the Government the names of the former Chairman of the Board (the Hon. H. J. Miller), and the Chairman of the County Council (the Hon. R. Campbell) to fill the seats on the Board rendered vacant by the absence for more than six months from the Colony of Mr. Lees and Dr. Wait.

harbour, board reserves.

A plan of the unleased portion of the Board's reserves was submitted by the Secret?ry, and it was resolved, "That the plan submitted be adopted, provided that the roadway in any case be not less :Lan 33fc.~; that lithographed copies of "iiti plan, and also conditions of sale, be

prepared; and that the properties be offered for lease by auction on or about 20fch September next. Tl.e upset prices of the various allotments were then tixed.