Harbor Board.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 49, 18 December 1894, Page 3

Harbor Board.

The ordinary meeting of the Harbor Board was held on Wednesday. Present: Messrs R., Cock (chairman),.!. B. Connett, D. Teed, W. Bewley, E. M. Smith, I. Sarten, E. Maxwell, and J. Ward. .■ • , ' REPAIRING LOCOMOTIVE. A letter was read from Messrs Alexander and Co, stating that the material -repairing the locomotive at the breakwater would be supplied for £65. - * TIMABU DEEDGE. . .... The Secretary of the Timaru Harbor Board wrote in reference to the dredge the Board wished to lease, stating the dredge was at present under.repairs, and a definite reply would be given when the repairs were completed. ''The dredge was more suitable for lifting shingle and heavy tend. . \ TARANAKI ' - ,■ . -- - Mr E. Purser wrote, stk'fehj" that he • was about to float a large company with m view ,of making a marketable commodify from the Taranaki irpn- ' *ohd, and that if sufficient Inducement offered the works would be erected in New Plymouth. He bad a patent for a new process,which was patented in England, and was how under offer to a large firm in he had offered {d supply eitherlObse sand or made-up in briquette form. ITfehey decided tb purchase it, and wished to be supplied with the briquettes, then it" would open up a very large field for labor for England, quite independent of the production of iron for the Australasian colonies. The writer also enquired the conditions of the lease. The Chairman said a short time back the Board had a similar offer, and a committee was appointed towaifc Upon Mr Samuel. It was then decided that the applicants shoud be allowed to have the lease on the same terms as granted to Mr Oldfield. Mr Smith asked if there was any objection to the present applicant __ being granted the lease on similar conditions., . The Chairman replied that he had told Mr Purser that the Board would so. Mr Smith stated that the Board should not lock up the lease and prevent any bona jidc company from operating. . Mr Bewley did not see why the fse should be granted on t9e»same ms as ere re offered to the Auckland mpany, as the present applicant uld not work the industry here but / would export the ironsand. It was finally decided, on the motion of Mr Sarten, that a committee conlisting of the Chairman, Messrs Bewley, Connett, and Ward, be appointed draw up conditions. ' r foreman's report. The Foreman reported that 702 cubic yards of stone had been tipped over the weather side of the breakwiatpr. He also drew attention to the ’fact that the number of prisoners - i working at the harbor was getting » smaller. harbormaster’s report. - Captain Holford reported that 1760 w yards of sand had been taken out to sea. I^C:.% ■ i l. :. UANfe ACCOUNT. The Chairman said after paying all

liabilities the Board bad a deficiency of £9. 10s 7d. Considering that the Bq am had to meet some extraordinary the position was satisfactory. The Government did not forward the money due in time to enable the Board to pay its way, and the Treasurer and himself had been compelled to draw a cheque on their own responsibility.

Mr Connett said the case was an exceptional one. He was still averse tof an overdraft, but the Board could not help itself on that occasion. Mr Maxwell stated that it appeared strange that the Board should decide not to have an overdraft, and the following month overdraw. Mr Bewley thought the Chairman’s and Treasurer’s action should be confirmed. If they had an overdraft the amount should be limited. The Chairman : Yes; say to £SOO. Mr Teed considered it would be impossible to pass a resolution for that amount, as they already had a motion on the books opposing an overdraft. He moved, That the action of the Chairman and Treasurer be confirmed. Mr Maxwell said he did not wish to oppose the, resolution, but it was hardly a regular thing. . The Chairman : 1 know it is not; it is very irregular. ■ Mr Connett stated that he would like to say in justice to himself that at the last meeting the Chairman had stated there was sufficient money in hand to pay all the accounts. He doubted this at the time, but thought the Chairman ought f 6 know', and accepted the statement. The Chairman said that some of the people owing money had been ■dilatory in “parting.” Mr Ward thought the thanks of the Board were due to Messrs Cock and Connett for being personally responsible for the amount.Mr Teed’s motion was seconded by Mr Smith and carried. The question of having an overdraft was then considered.' Mr Maxwell contended that the Board could not pass a resolution except by notice of motion rescinding the resolution passed at the last meeting. It was, he repeated, very strange that the Board should immediately avail themselves of the powers to have an overdraft after deciding in the opposite direction; The Chairman : If you had gone out to the breakwater with the committee yesterday and seen the state of affairs, you would see the necessity for an overdraft. The Secretary said the resolution passed at the previous meeting only Stated that no action should be taken. Mr Connect said if the Board once got an overdraft it would be a permanent one. He, however, saw that some work wou’d of a necessity have to be effected at the breakwater, and he had reluctantly come to the conclusion that the Board have to overdraw. He moved, That the Chairman and Treasurer make arrangements for an overdraft not to exceed £4OO. Mr Bewley seconded the”proposition. Mr Maxwell said he could, see the position was a tight one, but he must oppose the resolution on principle. If the overdraft this month was limited to £4OO, it would mean double that amount next month, until it would reach its limit. The Chairman : And yet you kent me down to Wellington to get the cement, which was to be paid with an overdraft. Mr Ward came to the conclusion that. Mr Maxwell did pot know the condition of the breakwater, or he would not talk in such a strain. , After some discussion the .resolution was put and carried. / CERTIFICATES. , A short discussion took place on some correspondence from the Inspector of Machinery relative to the charges for boiler certificates. It appears that provided the -money was paid on 18th November the price of the certificates-would only be £lO 10s, but as the Board did not meet until 14th, the account was not passed in time, and they were mulcted into £l4. . The Chairman thought it was a bit 'of sharp practice, as they were only a day behind with the payment, and it unavoidable. Mr Smith said he woma,have the correspondence placed before who would see the hardship oftha case. He moved, and it was carried, Th-ot copies of the letters be sent to the Minister of Marine. board’s property. , It was decided that the Chairman and Mr Teed should make arrangements for the painting of the Board’s property in Brougham Street. accounts. The usual accounts -were passed, and the Board adjourned.—News.