OTAGO HARBOUR BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16295, 30 January 1915, Page 5

OTAGO HARBOUR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Otago Harbour Board was held last evening; presentMr H. E. Moller (in the chair), Messrs G. R. Ritchie, T. H. Russell, W. Belcher, H. L. Tapley, T. Seollay, E. O. Hazlett, J. M. Dickson, F. W. Platts, J. Loudon, and J. H. F. Hamel. General accounts amounting to £3499 3s 5d and dock accounts amounting to £2349 14s 2d were passed for payment. The bank balance certificate, which was laid on the table, showed a net debit balance of £14,221 15s sd. Mr E. M'Kewen write, in regard to her cartage contract, asking for an increase of 3d per hour in contract rates owing to the rise in the price of horse feed.—The engineer recommended that the increase asked for was reasonable, and it was granted accordingly.—Mr Belcher expressed trie hope that the same consideration would be extended to employees of the board if they found it necessary to ask for an increase in wages. On the motion of Mr Dickson, seconded by Mr Hazlett, it was decided—" That the lists of payers of harbour dues on ships and of payers of harbour dues other than dues on ships, for the year ended December 31, 1914, be approved."— In answer to a question, the Chairman stated that there were 32 payers of dues in one list and about 250 in the other. The board then considered the Standing Committee's report, the first clause of which was as follows:—" Your committee recommends that the- letter from the town clerk, replying to the board's letter of December 9, regarding the Leith canal, be received, and that the Patriotic Association be written to."—On the adoption of the clause being moved, Mr Belcher expressed the opinion that, as the work had been undertaken conjointly by the City Council and the Harbour Board, no other body should be allowed to interfere. In the event of there being a heavy rainfall with the works going on, the responsibility would lie with the two bodies he had mentioned. Let the bodies responsible for the work undertake it without the Patriotio Committee, or any other committee. Let the committee contribute, but let the_ other two bodies start the work and bring it to completion.—Mr Dickson pointed out that the Patriotic Committee would pay a large part of the cost of the work.—Mr Tapley pointed out that he idea of walling the Leith had emanated from the Patriotic Committee, and that the work would benefit the City Council and the Harbour Board. It was merely proposed that the committee be associated in the work, and endeavour to try to persuade the Oitv Council to carry out what it understood was the original arrangement to start the work at the harbour end.—Mr Loudon said that the committee should be written to and have it pointed out that there would be danger if the work was carried out as suggested by the city engineer. If his opinion was correct, that the board's engineer was not right in his views, another engineer should be called in.—The clause was adopted.

The next clauso was as to the widening of Rattray street, and read :—" Tour committee recommends that the letter of Messrs Park, Reynolds (Ltd.), submitting an offer received by them for part of land required for street widening, be received, and the offer accepted. "—The adoption of this clause was opposed by Mr Platts, who went tho length of suggesting that the purchase should not bo made.—Mr Belcher snid that if they were going to get the wharf completed these properties havo to be acquired. If it done the board might find that the berthing accommodation would be insufficient. The wharf could not be completed without the purchase boinnmade. It would have the probable effect of influencing tho City Council in reticulating the street so far as tho water mains were concerned.—The clause was adopted. Clause 3 recommended that the report of the sub-committee as to harbour lighting be adopted. The report read: ,f Your oommitteo has to report that it has given further consideration to tho recommendations of the engineer, but as that officer is now dealing with tho question of electric installation, it has been decided to defer sonsidoration for some four months."—Report adopted.

Tho next clauso was: "Your committee recommends thta tho accident insurance risk for the year 1915-1916 be divided amongst tho four local offices and the State Department, as formerly, the New Zealand Insurance Company to havo the distribution for tho current period."—ln connection with this clauso a letter was read from British Insurance companies, signed by 16 agents or managers, asking for a share in tho business. —Mr Scollay moved that these companies be added, and this was seconded by Mr Hazlett, who pointed out that tho companies wero ratepayers.—Mr Loudon suggested the adoption of tho clause as it stood. Ho saw no reason for dividing the insurance amongst these outside companies. They would havo far less difficulty in dealing with local companies than with tho others in case of accidents—Mr Taplcy pointed out that they looked to tho one company who had the distribution of tho ricks for settlement.—Mr Belcher expressed the opinion that the whole of tho board's business should go to tho State Department, which had be u the means of reducing the rates. Tho profits of outside companies drifted away to iho other side of the worid.—Mr Russell said the Farmers' Insuranco should get an opportunity of having a share of tho board's business, _ seeing that it had brought iho rato of insuranoe down.—Mr Loudon: Get the farmers to bring the price of meat down.—(Laughter.)—The amendment was lost, and tho clause adopted. Tho two following clauses, and tho engineer's and harbour master's reports (alroady published) were adopted without discussion :—"Your committee recommends that, the harbour master be instructed to place a plan before tho Standing Committee each month, showing tho depths of water at tho wharves at Port Chalmers and Dunedin. Your committee recommends that tenders be called for the supply and delivery of the necessary steel platjs, rivets, etc., rcqurcd for the construction of suction and discharge pipes for pumping sludge from the south endowment to Tahuna Park, and of discharge pipes from the dredger to the southern endowment; and llta', ssop.rratc tenders be called for the supply and delivery of tho finished pipes." PORT CHALSfEIIS FOUNDRY. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Loudon, that the resolution of the board with regard to (he re-leasing to Messrs Stevenson and Cook of the foundry and forge at Port Chalmers be rescinded. GENERAL. Mx W. J. Bardsley (secretary of the

board) was appointed returning officer for the election of members by payers of dues. It was decided to hold a special meeting on Friday, December 12, at 7.30 p.m., to consider the scheme of works and estimates for the year 1915, and the annual report.