HARBOUR BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 1243, 25 September 1875, Page 4

HARBOUR BOARD.

A special meeting of the Harbour Board was held on Monday. Present— His Honour the ijeputy-Superintendent (in the chair), Messrs 1 ■ Bt /9S#H' J - Davie > H - M'Neil, A. M'Kinnon, C. S. Eeeves, H. Tewsley, and W. Sessions (acting-secretary). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. EXTENSION" OP BATTRAY STREET WHARF. ±ne Acting-Sechktart read a letter from Hawkins and Co., Lyttelton, explaining -that the delay m the construction of the EaiW street wharf was entirely beyond their contll mv° U 1^ the i dlffic "lty of getting saw timber. Ine difficulty had been overcome, and they daily expected the arrival of a vessel at Port Chalmers with necessary timber. They would nmsn the contract as soon as possible. It was resolved that, under the circumstances further time should be allowed the contractor'

™E LIGHTERMEN'S GBIEVANCE. Ine following memorial was resui :— w n «*rr t, £ nrt Chalm erß, September 10, 1575, To the Harbour Board of Otajro— uentlemen— We the undersigned request that th» Ho ml will be pleased to remit the berthage rates as at present charged on the ballast lighters. Wo are quite willing: to pay some rates, or even double as outside vessels, and it will be found on enquiry that the careroes we are in the habit of carrying are not more injurious to the jetties than the general run o< ordinary cargo. Wo would further direct your attention to the fact that some of our crafts never visit the jetties, and we cannot think the Board intend to make iia pay for what we never use. These new rates we feel particularly grievous at present, owing to the competition which the Government fosters, per rail, actually carrying stone from Logan's Point- to the ships here at Is 6d per ton, while they are hi the habit of charging 3* from this to Dunedin. We would request you to consider the facts a* stated above, and be pleased to errant us whatever relief the circumstances of the case demand We are, &c, ' fHere follow li signatures, representing 21 lighter-

Mr Reeves moved, and Mr M'Kinnon seconded— "That the memorial be referred'to the Finance Committee." Mr Tewsley said the matter had been referred to the Government before. It was felt that no difference the Board could make would rebeve the lightermen to any extent. Even supposing they took off the whole rate, it would notmakea business that was a non-paying business now, a paying one. Mr M'Neil said the grievance was the extremely low rate of Is 6d per ton charged on the railway. The only additional rate that the lightermen paid under the new scheme was ths berthage rate. ; Mr Tewsley : We have no power to levy rates except as a wharfage rate until the new Act is passed. After some further discussion, the motion was earned nem con.

THE SECRETARY'S MISSION TO WELLINGTON. Mr Davee said that before proceeding to the consideration of matters connected with the Secretary's mission to Wellington, he would propose that the Board resolve itself into Committee.

The motion was seconded by Mr Tewsuiy. and carried. The reporters accordingly withdrew.