OAMARU HARBOR BOARD.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1018, 25 July 1879, Page 2

OAMARU HARBOR BOARD.

The fortnightly meeting of the Harbor Board was held to-day, when there were present— Messrs, Sumpter (Chairman), Aitken, Steward, Hassell, and Reid. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence was read and approved. The Secretary mentioned that he had forwarded a number of photographs of tin Breakwater, and some copies of the las' annual report, with additional information, to Sir Julius Yogel, with/i request that he would use his best efforts in the promotion of the loan. He also read the draft of a letter to the Agent-General, giving full particulars with reference to the loan and the progress and utility of the works.

Mr. Steward said lie thought it would be well that some notice should bo taken of the remarks made in a letter of Messrs. Galbraitli and Co. to the Agent-General, to the eil'ect that they could not send an immigrant ship to Oamaru. Ho thought the remark with reference to the drowning of immigrants at Oamaru was calculated to damage the port without any just cause.

The Chairman and several other members concurred in the opinions expressed, and the following resolution, moved by Mr. Steward, and seconded by Mr. Reid, was carried, " That the Chairman be requested to write on behalf of the Board to the Messrs. Galbraitli with reference to the paragraph relating to this port which appears in the immigration report, and to forward such letter per favor of the AgentGeneral, with a covering letter asking Sir Julius Yogel to forward a photograph of the works to Messrs. Galbraitli, with any memoranda on the subject he may be pleased to add." Accounts to the amount of LOGS Is Gd were passed for payment. Mr. Steward then said that, as he understood there was no further business to be transacted at the present meeting, he would, by permission of the Chair, take the present opportunity of taking leave of the Board, this being the last meeting at which he would be present, his seat for the last three years having been an e.v officio one. He (Mr. Steward) had been continuously a member of the Board for a period of seven years, and there was no portion of his public life to which he could look back with greater satisfaction. The Board had worked most harmoniously and successfully, and it was with some regret that he felt that this was probably the last time during which he would take part in its deliberations, at anyrate for some considerable time, though it was possible that in the changing kaleidoscope of colonial life it might yet happen that he would some day or other again have a seat at that table. Whether or not, the great undertaking which had been entrusted to the Board would always have his heartiest sympathy and any assistance which he could give, and it was to him, as it must be to all the other members, a great satisfaction to have been at any time connected with a work which was a credit to the Board itself, and than which no more beneficial or successful one had been undertaken in the Colony. The Chairman said he did not think Mr. Steward should be permitted to take his leave of the Board without some mark of its approval of his services being placed upon record. He would therefore move, " That this Board desires to place on record its sense of the interest, attention, aud energy displayed by Mr. Steward, and of the valuable assistance rendered by hiin in promoting the Board's interests, and that a' copy of this resolution be forwarded to him." There was not the slightest doubt but that he had used his best efforts to promote the interests of the Board both in the Board room and elsewhere. He had therefore, great pleasure in moving the above resolution. The motion was seconded by Mr. Reid, and carried, The-Board then rose.