HARBOUR BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9182, 31 July 1891, Page 4

HARBOUR BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the Harbour Board waa held yesterday, and attended by Messrs H. Gourley (chairman), 3. Carroll, G. M. Barr, M. Joel, E. B. Oargill, W. Wright, E. G. Allen, W. Barclay, J. Mackerras, A. Thomson, Dr Drysdale, and General Fulton. FINANCIAL. The bank book, which waa laid on the table, showed a debit balance of £4319 15s sd. THE AWDITOB-GENERAL's CIRCULAR. A circular was received from the Controller and Auditor-general asking members of local bodies to exercise constant vigilance in ascertaining whether rates, rents, or other outstanding moneys were paid or not, as blame had been attached to the Audit Office when defalcations had been undetected. The Chairman said so far as the board was coDcerned, he understood that they pretty well complied with the circular issued by the Audit department, inasmuch as a list of outstanding accounts were referred to the Finance Committee every month. Mr Barclay observed that it appeared that the Audit department wanted individual members of the board to act as private detectives. The circular was ultimately received. CORRESPONDENCE. Mr G. Chick wrote asking if some mistake had not been made in the charge made in respect to harbour dues on 20 bags of chaff and four of oats which he had taken from the Lizzie Ellen and landed at the dock head by means of a waterman's boat.—Referred to the secretary to charge for the chaff by weight instead of by measurement. THE CHAIRMAN'S MISSION TO WELLINGTON. After the report of the chairman's mission, which has already been published, had been read, Mr Carqill moved —" That the report of the chairman of the settlement of the question that had arisen with the Railway Commissioners is very satisfactory to the board, and the board record its thanks to the chairman and secretary for their able and successful efforts by which the settlement had been obtained, and also to Sir Robert Stout, who was present and assisted at the negotiations, for his able co-operation." Mr Barclay seconded the motion. He understood that the arrangements that had been made were altogether in favour of the board. So far as the report referred to Ravensbourne, the council were highly satisfied with the arrangement that had been made. If the chairman and secretary had not taken trouble in the matter, and if the members of the board had not considered the wants of the council, a great injustice would have been done to West Harbour borough. The motion was carried. WORKS COMMITTEE'S KEPORT. The Works Committee recommended re Gwynne's letter re pumps that the matter be left in the hands of the committee for further consideration; re Mr Begg's application for a reduction of punt charges, that a reduction of £2 be made. They also recommended that the repairs to the s.s. Reynolds stand over at present. The report was adopted. FINANCE COMMITTEE'S BEPOBT. The Finance Committee recommended that the decision of the Supreme Court re "port charges" and claims for refund be again referred to tho committee for further consideration ; that a refund be made of harbourmaster's fees for barque Wentworth; that the necessary steps be taken to recover su account for export dues from the Phcenix Company; and that no reduction be made for towage in respect to Mr John Mills' application. , On tho motion of Mr Carqill, seconded by General Fulton, tho report was adopted. A DISTRICT BATE. Mr Caroill said there had been a good deal of discussion outside of the board about the harbour improvement rate and a proposition to substitute a district rate in the place of it, borne of the members of the board thought this was a matter that ought to be inquired into and some information collected and laid before the board in order that some judgment might bo formed on the question—not necessarily with tho view of any immediate action being taken, but in order that the board might ascertain what the feelings of nembers were generally upon the subject. He would, therefore, move— " That it be remitted to the Finance Committee to inquire into tho question of providing revenue for the purpose of the board by means of a district rate in lieu of the harbour improvement rate and wharfage as at present levied, and report to the next meeting of the board." Ho understood that a great deal of information had already been collected upon the subject, and it might he made available for this inquiry. General Fulton seconded the motion. Mr Allen was afraid that a resolution of the kind proposed would not meet with the approval of the majority of the people in the city, and he knew it would not meet with the approval of anyone in the country. The proposal was very sweeping in its nature, and he presumed that the country people would entirely object to pay ub much for tho benefit of the harbour aa the town people. The channel waa constructed out of borrowed money more for tho benefit of tho town than for tho country. Mr Carou.l saiu he did not think it would bo altogether wisa to go into a discussion on tho merits of the question that day. It was not his intention to do that. His intention was simply to briDg boforo tho board a matter that was

much talked about, so that the board might refer it to the Finance Committee to make some inquiries. Rather than have any discussion upon the matter at present he would withdraw his motion. Mr Allen explained that his object in speaking about the matter was with the view of having the motion withdrawn, or if it went to the vote of inducing members to vote against it; as if the question were once raised it would lead to no end of trouble. He did not think the matter would ultimately lead to anything, because the country would not stand it. Mr Cakboll thought it was premature to briDg the matter foward. The board should, in his opinion, exhaust every legitimate means at their disposal before they increased the burdens of people outside of the city. He did not think that they should take the unpleasant alternative of striking a rate, Mr Thomson said he did not think the board had at all exhausted every means of revenue, and their talking about striking a rate would give colour to the idea that they had. He therefore thought that the motion should be withdrawn. Mr Caebill explained that one thing that had influenced him in bringing the matter up was that it had been before the Chamber of Commerce at last meeting. The matter was also in the sir, and the people of Dunedin had been talking about it for some time past. The motion did not recommend the adoption of a rate, but simply asked that the matter should be referred to the Finance Committee to inquire into and report. The motion was then put and carried by seven votes to four. BESERVES COMMITTEE'S EBPOBT. The Reserves Committee recommend re Mr A. Smith's application for a reduction in rent that absolute surrender of the lease be accepted on the rent due to July last baing paid. Re a similar application from Mr C. Warren that no reduction be made. That the council reconsider the upset rentals placed on block LVI. The report was adopted, with the exception of the clause relating to Mr Warren's applicatioo, which was referred back to the committee.