HARBOR BOARD.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1103, 31 October 1879, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Harbor Board was held to-day, when there were present—Messrs. Sumpter (Chairman), Gibbs, Gilchrist, Aitken, Menlove, Hassell, Borrie. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence was read and approved. Messrs. P. Cunningham and Co. wrote as follows : Oamaru, 2nd October, 1879. Dear Sir, —As we purpose erecting grain stores in Oamaru, we beg to inquire whether the Board are prepared to lease, either privately or by public auction, that part of their property adjoining the gasworks reserve, and at what price per foot. As the grain season is no\Y approaching, an early answer will oblge. Yours respectfully, P. Cunningham AND CO, Per F. Dunlop. To the Secretary, Oamaru Harbor Board. After a little discussion, it was decided to put the land up for lease by auction on Saturday, 15th instant, at the upset price of 25s per foot. Some correspondence was read with reference to the construction of a dredge by Messrs. TCiricaid and M'Queen, Dunedin. It was decided to let the matter remain over pending the receipt of information with reference to the loan. Mr. Thomas Rusbatch wrote applying for permission to place his asphalting plant on the Board's land near the Jagooji. It was decided not to co.mply with the request, The following letter was read : Oamaru, 2nd October, 1879. The Chairman Oamaru Harbor Board, Oamaru. Dear Sir, —We are in receipt of your resolution advising rebate of 3d. per ton on inward cargo ex Dunkeld, for which accept our thanks. We regret to have again to call your attention to the charges made against this vessel, but there appears to be some misunderstanding, as it appears from the report of your meeting that the members of your Board are under the impression that we had agreed to pay the 7s. per ton charged for ballast, whereas we were only advised that such would be charged ; but we never agreed to pay, as we intended bringing the matter before you 'with tho view of having the excessive charge reduced to the same price as paid hy all other vessels ; and, as an additional reason why the charge of 7s. per ton should be reduced, we may add that the ballast supplied to this particular vessel cost the Board Is. per ton less than usual, and we think that the vessel is justly entitled to receive the benefit of that amount at least. Wo notice from the remarks made by some of the members of the Board that the boats were damaged to the extent of LIOO in discharging the cargo, and that was the reason that the excessive charge for ballast should be maintained. We may punt out, however, that the ship and cargo had. no connection with each other, and that it i:i most unfair and unjust to charge the ship more on that account. We also again beg to call your attention to the overcharge of Is. per ton on the cargo. We have made inquiries regarding the damage done to the boats, and have been informed that the only damage done more than would have been caused by the same weight of grain is that the chafing boa,rds round the gunwales qf the boats are slightly damaged, to renew the whole of which would not cost more than 40s. per boat. In bringing this matter again before the Board we beg to point out that had the Board increased the charge upon all vessels from the date of the arrival of the Dunkeld we vpuld not have troubled you in the matter; but as a specific oharge has been made against this particular ship and cargo we feel it to be our duty to remonstrate, on behalf of those whom we represent, against charges which we consider to be most unjust >

both to the importers of the goods anil the owners of the vessel.—Yours, &c., J. & T. Meek. It was resolved to reply that the Board could not consent to any further reductions in the charges. The Harbor-master wrote enclosing the following signals, denoting when the port is overcrowded, to be shown fronv the flagstaff immediately south of the Breakwate : " Day, one ball on north yard-arm ; night, one white light on north arm. When either of these signals are shown vessels should keep to sea or (weather permitting) anchor in G to 7 fathoms low water. Signal bearing \\. by S. to 'NY. S. Ma^. : ' Tlie matter was referred to the Standing Committee, witli power to act. Accounts to the amount of L 2045 10s 9d were passed for payment, and the Board rose.