Harbor Board.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 151, 13 December 1895, Page 3

Harbor Board.

The ordinary meeting of the Harbor Board was held on Tuesday. There were present: Messrs E. Maxwell (chairman), Black, Mac Lean, Ealfe, Ward, Smith, Sarten, and Shearer. Permission was granted. Mr Honeyfield, on certain conditions, to plant about 4 acres of Paritutu Reserve with shrubs. ' A copy of Mr P.S. Hay’s report on the breakwater published elsewhere, together with the reports of Mr Skey, were laid on the table. The Board went into Committee to consider the tenders for a Sand Pump, It was decided that the tender of Messrs Sparrow and Co (£812) for pump and engine be accepted. Captain Holford reported that during the month of November 30 steam vessels had been tendered at the wharf and had landed so many tons of cargo. The Foreman’s report was also dealt with. Pursuant to notice of motion, Mr Bkck moved that the Chairman, Mr Davies, and.the mover be a Committee to define the boundaries of the ridings in the harbor rating district, and to report at the next meeting.”—Carried. Mr Smith asked if the man Cocks was going back into the Board’s employ. The Chairman said he thought not. He explained that the man had met with an accident, and, in acco.darce with his instructions, the man was paid £1 per week from the Accident Fund. He afterwards ascertained that the man Lad been struck off pay, •ometime subsequently to the date of the accident, and he was paid £lO in full settlement of all c’aims. The Foreman was satisfied that the work could be done for the same money a little more efficiently with the present man. It was entirely a matter for the Foreman, and the Board had no desire whatever to do an injustice. Mr Smith said he gave notice of motion merely to get at the bottom of the affair. He wanted to know if the Foreman would take him on. The Chairman did not think so : he would not advise him to do so. Mr Smith; Well that just shows one how fairly, honestly, and straightforward you deal with your men, continuing, he said he didn’t care a jot whether the man was taken on or not, but he thought the nr.n should be fairly treated. He was a man who was hardworking, and had done his duties for a number of years in a satisfactory manner. He moved the motion standing in his name. Mr Bluck was averse to any man, who had honestly served the Beard so long being dismissed in such a manner. The Chairman said the Board had no right to interfere with the Foreman. An amendment was put by Mr Ealfe—“Thai the matter be left in the hands of the Foreman.” The amendment was carried on the casting Tote of the Chairman. The voting was: Ayes (4). The Chairman, Messrs McLean,-Ealfe and Shearer; noes (4): Messrs Bluck, Ward, Smith, and Sarten. A further amendment was moved by_ Mr Ward, that a Committee be appointed to enquire into the matter. Seconded by Mr Smith. The amendment was lost on the casting vote of the Chairman, and the motion carried.

Several minor matters were dealt with, and the Board adjourned.— News.