HARBOR BOARD.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 983, 13 June 1879, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

The fortnightly meeting of the Board was held to-day, when there were present —Messrs. Sumpter (Chairman), Shrimski, Aitken, Reid, Gilchrist, Steward, Menlove, and the Hon. H. J. Miller. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence was read and approved. A lengthy report of the interview between the Hon. the Minister for Public Works and the Standing Committee, prepared by the Secretary, was read and adopted. The following letter from the Harbor Master was read :—■ Oamaru, 2nd June, 1879. Sir, —I beg to bring to the notice of the Board the long detention vessels are now subject to cliiefiy through their agents or consignees not forwarding cargo alongside more expeditiously. Ship-owners are suffering considerable loss thereby, and the character of the port suffers ; also, the Board is losing a considerable sum on the warps supplied to vessels, more especially at the wharves, some of them take almost as many weeks at the wharves as days would suffice, they only paying 2d. per ton for two or three weeks use of the warps (which at the east side of the Normanby and crosß wharves is very., severe on both" warps and vessels), whereas if vessels received their cargoes quickly two or three days should be sufficient for loading most vessels ; then the harbor would be less crowded, thereby saving considerable wear and tear on ropes, &e. ' The resolution, of the Board authorising the removal of vessels over four hours idle is unworkable, as the vessel berthed in the place of the one removed remain idle equally as long, and at most times 'it takes : a great part of the day to make the removals, and incurs extra risk of damage to vessels. |' Owing to the above-mentioned delay the harbor is frequently more than full of vessels, some having to lay exposed in the roadstead, and those under shelter of the Breakwater being so much crowded together are at considerable risk, and receive more damage than if they had more room. : ... I have had to put on another, hand to assist with the removals, keeping warps in order,'&c.— I am,.&e,, . Wm. Sewell, Harbor Master.

P.S.—Whilst some of the sailing vessels use the warps at the wharves for weeks at 2d per ton only, the Waitaki pays 3d. per ton for" two days use of warps each week, being from two to five times the amount sailing vessels pay. Sailing vessels have been charged extra for ropes supplied them when off from the wharves, for which charge there is no authority, and Mr.' Shand finds great difficulty-in collecting it; also, some masters of vessels clear at the Customs before all their cargo is "on board, and in some case's sail without paying dues. I think it 5s now time masters should be required. to produce to. the Collector of Customs before clearance a certificate that dues, are paid or arranged for as provided for by sec. 118" Harbors Act, 1878. —W. S.

The letter was referred to the Standing Committee to adjust the charges for the use of warps, with power to act. On the motion of Mr. Aitken, seconded by Mr. Gilchrist, it was decided- to call for tenders in Dunedin and Christchuroh for the supply of warps. The following letter was read :

Oamaru, May 22, 1879. Dear Sir, —Please find enclosed cheque for! Ll3 2s lOd, also for L 9 3s 3d. The former covers amounts due for boating ; the latter is only half amount charged by you for wharfage dues on transhipments per Ino from Kakanui. As the goods were transhipped while the vessel was laying off the wharf, we presume that the amount has been charged in error, as the general custom at all New Zealand ports is to charge half usual wharfage under such circumstances.—Yours faithfully. P. CcJOTJfGHAM A2xT> Co., Per F. Dctnlop. The Secretary Oamaru Harbor Board. The Secretary explained that the change had been made in compliance with, a resolution previously passed by the Board, declaring that vessels bringing cargo to Oamaru for transhipment should not be oalle.cl upon to pay any dues upon their cargo, but that the vessel receiving the cargo should pay the full charges. Mr. Aitkeu remarked that the practice at other ports was to charge only one-half the usual charges, and he did not see why any special system should be adopted in Oamaru. - Some discussion took place upon the matter, Mr. .Aitken then said that he would move that the charge should be remitted, and that in future only one-lialf the usual rates should be charged on cargo transhipped into vessels when not lying alongside the wharf.

It was then pointed out that the transhipments in question wore made at the wharf, and it was resolved that the charge made upo?i cargo transhipped into vessels not lying alongside the wharf should be only ane-half the usual rate. Some discussion took place as to the amount of compensation to be asked from the Government for the portion of the lagoon proposed to be taken from the Board for the loop-lino to connect the main line with the new station. During this Mr, Shrimski said that the Board had no. right to demand any compensation, and so put a stop to public wavks,, and said that if the Board made- any ! demand he would opposo it in the House, and would plainly say there that the B.aavd had no right to demand a single penny. The Chairman having explained the action he had taken in the matter, and the proposal he had made to the Hon. the Minister for Public "Works, viz., to so construct their viaduct as to form a bridge to connect Tyne and Humber-streets. Several members expressed the opinion that the Chairman had acted very correctly and judiciously in the matter. After a tolerably warm, and very irregular discussion, The Hon. Mr. Miller moved, " That the Chairman be requested in any further communication with the Government on the subject of the land—being the property of the Board—required for the proposed new line from Thames-street to the new station at Eden-street, to state that the Board do not desire any compensation for the land taken, provided the Government in constructing the viaducts for the railway line across the lagoon so arrange that the space between Humber and Tynestreets be entirely bridged over so as to give means for through traffic between the two streets."

Mr. Qilelu'iat seconded the motion. Mr. Shrimski moved an amendment, ''That this Board, after careful consideration, is of opinion that no obstruction should be placed in the way of the Government proceeding with the formation and alteration of the new railway station, and that the Government be allowed to cross the lagoon with the necessary works," The amendment was not seconded, and the original motion was carried, Mr. Shrimski only dissenting. Accounts to the amount of L 599 Us Id were passed for payment. The Hon. Mr. Millar was requested, by resolution, to take charge of the Board's Bill in the Legislative Council. The Board then rose.