MOERAKI HARBOR BOARD.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 826, 5 December 1878, Page 2

MOERAKI HARBOR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Moeraki Harbor Board was held last night, at the Mechanics' Institute, Hampden. Present Messrs. Donaldson (Chairman), Bemner, M'Kerrow, Murcott, Watt (Secretary), and Mercer (Manager). Routine business having been disposed of, a letter wa3 read from Captain Julian, in which he claimed L2 for damages done to his vessel while lying alongside the wharf at Moeraki, in accordance with orders from the Manager of the Board, during a heavy swell. The Board repudiated all liability.

An account for LlO, the amount of reward offered by the Board for the conviction of the person of persons who stole the halyards lately missed from the flagstaff, was received from Captain Liddle. The Chairman said that although Capt. Liddle was perhaps not entitled to the reward according to the wording of the advertisement, he was entitled to something for the trouble entailed in going to Hampden to report the matter to the Secretary and to give information to Constable Green. The Manager saidhe knew of the whereabouts of the missing halyards from Mr. Cuff before .information had been received from Captain Liddle ; but he had apparently failed to give such information to Mr. Watt (Secretary), as was his duty, and which would have stopped further advertising and saved the constable the trouble of investigating the matter. He asked for an expression of opinion from members. Mr. Murcott said he believed that Captain Liddle could legally recover the amount lie had claimed, and lie thought that to save further trouble, as Mr. Mercer had caused difficult}-, he should pay the amount out of his own pocket. Ho was there to do a public duty, and he should not shrink from protecting public funds. The Manager remarked that rather than pay the money to Captain Liddle, he would give it to the Benevolent Society, as he had tried to do him. an injury. It was moved by Mr. Bremner, and seconded by Mr. M'Kerrow, that Captain Liddle's claim to the reward be not recognised, as the advertisement required the conviction of the offender or offenders. The motion was carried.