HARBOR BOARD.

Patea Mail, 17 August 1880, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Harbor Board was held on Monday, the Oth. Present, Messrs Milroy (in the chair), Balmforth, Adams, Horner, and Newland. CATTLE WHARF. Messrs G. and H. Horner wrote “We have the honour to enclose account of extra expenses incurred by us in shipping cattle for Nelson at the Board’s stockyard this morning, the same not being in a secure condition, although wc were assured that the matter would be attended to. Wo are, Therefore, compelled to make this claim, and request you to lay the enclosed before the Board at your earliest convenience.” The manager of the Patea S. S. Company wrote; —“Ihave to request you to bo good enough to have the cattle yard arranged before the next trip to Nelson, as this morning great delay was occasioned thereby, and three of the cattle broke away, to the great annoyance and inconvenience of the shippers. The slip panels were only fixed by a small pin, so that the least strain upon them would cause the same to fall. There are also required two or three good posts near the bank and substantial rails fixed, so as to prevent the cattle climbing the bank. I trust I shall not have cause to again complain of this matter, as not only docs it do injury to the shippers, but also to the credit of the company.” Mr li. Horner said : In reference to this cattle wharf, I wrote that letter to the Engineer, the Chairman being absent. Neither the Engineer nor the Secretary seem to have felt that they were responsible parties, the Chairman having said at the last meeting the work should be done. I consider that in the absence of the chairman, the Engineer is in charge of the works. There has been a miscarriage in this matter. What repair was done was only half done. The rails were put up badly ; one was missing, and as soon as the cattle got in, they broke out before they could be farther secured. Mr Balmforth ; Those who were going to ship ought to have looked to the safe condition of the yard. It was only a temporary enclosure to begin with. If Air Horner has had any loss I think it ought to be paid. Chairman : As this is merely a temporary yard, the public are aware that the Harbor Board could not hold themselves responsible for temporary fixings ; and I believe it is the duty of everyone who is going to ship cattle to see that the yards are in a fit condition. The expense already incurred has been considerable. We have, in fact, been paying at the rate of ten shillings per head for every bullock that has been shipped there, and the loss is still going on. Shippers arc aware that anj 1 stock shipped from the beach would be at their own risk. The wharfinger receives half the charge for all goods landed on the foreshore,but he is responsible for nothing. The risk is entirely that of the shipper. A personpvho is goingto ship stock generally brings a few head of quiet cattle more than he desires, and after the proper number has been shipped the remainder are driven home. A man never knows when two or three may break away, and the shipper would be at a loss to complete his contract with the vessel. Mr Balmforth : If a man had to ship 15 cattle, he could not bo expected to borrow five head of stock from a neighbour. Mr Newland : I look upon this case as an accident.

Mr Horner : As to the idea o£ bringing

' a lot of quiet cattle, these were all quiet cattle. These were 15 brought from Kakaramea. I do not ask the Board for an unreasonable thing. I want to know, under these circumstances, who is responsible. I want the Board to give shippers as much security as you can. I say that in this case there was not as much security given as might have been given.

Mr Balmforth : I think Mr Horner has tried his best to get this made a cattle shipping port, and if he has had any loss, the Board ought to meet him in it. Mr Adams : I think it would be creating a precedent if we were to grant compensation. The Engineer : The yard has been put in very fair order now. Mr Balmforth : Parties shipping cattle ought to give notice to have the yard looked at ; and they should receive a notice back from the Board, so that the shipping might then be at their own risk. A resolution was then adopted, on the motion of the Chairman, to the effect that Messrs Horner’s claim could not be allowed Mr R. Horner had retired before the voting, and the motion was carried without dissent. TOUT I, i guts. The manager of the Patea S.S. Co. wrote : —“ I have the honor to request that your Board will at once take steps to have the port lights gazetted as at other places, so as to enable steamers or other vessels to enter or leave the river at night without running the risk of forfeting the insurance.” Mr Horner : Why cannot the Patea steamer come in at night? Can the Engineer tell us ? Enginoar : I don’t think the Patea S. S. Company would like to condemn their steamer. Mr Horner: I don’t think it is the Company ; it may be their officers. Mr Balmforth : The Clyde comes in at night. Mr Adams : Yes, but the Clyde is not worth so much. Chairman : I think the Board should keep clear of shipping companies. This crossing at night is a matter for the company. If it it not urgent for the steamer to sail at night, by all means let it sail in the day. XKW WHARF. On the reading of the Enginnecr’s report (already published), the Chairman asked : Is there not a condition requiring the contractor for the new wharf to commmencc operations within a month ? Engineer : I believe that Mr Dixon, the contractor, has just returned from Wellington, and lias been arranging about his iron-work. The piling engine will be up by the steamer the first trip. Chairman: If there is a delay now there may be an application for extension of time hereafter. Mr Balmforth : He has four months left yet. Engineer ; lie will easily do it in the time. BR KAKWATKR CONTRACT, Chairman ; Is the time not expired for the breakwater contract ? Engineer : I think they will finish this month. They have had most unfavorable weather lately. HARBOR FUNDS. The Secretary said : There has been a deposit of £3,500 lodged for three months at 4 per cent.; and I should like to bo instructed as to what should bo done with it We shall have an available balance of £4,300 ; out of which a sum of £1,723 will be required for the new wharf contract, leaving £2,577, including the money now lodged at interest. Engineer : If Mrs Dickson gets her work finished by next Board-day, there will be about£lloo to repay as pcr-ccntago hold in hand for security on the contract. The total expenditure will come to about £12,000. Chairman : We might safely deposit £2,000 for three months. 1 believe the bank rate is reduced to 3 per cent, on three-month deposits. Mr Horner: Is money so plentiful |as all that ?

Chairman : In Wanganui they arc advertising money at 7 per cent, on mortgage. The building societies cannot get investments, and have to put money into the bank.

Mr Adams: What is the meaning of it? There must be plenty of money in the country.

Mr Horner: We cannot get so much interest in any part of the world as in this colony. The Chairman moved that T2,000 be placed in the bank at interest for three months. Mr Horner seconded. Mr Adams: I expect there is very liti'c land in the colony to mortgage. The motion was adopted, and the Board adjourned.