HARBOUR BOARD

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 962, 22 November 1882, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD

The adjourned meeting of the above Board was held on Monday afternoon, at the Borough Council Chambers. Present, Messrs Horner, Peacock, Adams, and Gibson. Previous to tiie commencement of ordinary business, Mr Horner was voted to the Chair, and the election of Chairman was proceeded with. Mr Peacock proposed that Mr John Gibson be Chairman for the unexpired term. Mr Horner, seconded the motion which was carried, Mr Adams dissenting. Mr Gibson in talcing the Chair said that he would do his best in the interests of the Board. He had been away for some time and the business might be a bit strange at first, but he hoped to get into working order before long. Mr Adams asked if Mr Gibson had resigned his contract under the Board. The Chairman explained that when he became aware of his appointment he had waited upon the. Secretary, and. told him that he would give up his contract. He was under the impression that his appointment cancelled his contract. The Secretary confirmed what the Chairman had stated re giving up his contract. Mr Horner moved that the Secretary’s action in accepting the annulling of Mr Gibson’s contract be endorsed b}’ the Board. Seconded by Mr Peacock and carried. CORRESPONDENCE. Messrs Mace and Bassett wrote enclosing 17s 9d in payment of an account for £2 10s, wharfage on timber. The letter stated that wharfage had been charged on 19,983 feet, of which 12,892 feet were for Government use, and entitled to be admitted free under the Bth sub-section of section 132 of the Harbours Act, A discussion ensued. Mr Adams, said l hat a similar case had occurred previously, that of Mr Bull, and the Board had then decided not to give up its claim for wharfage. He moved “that the matter of timber of Messrs Mace and Bassett and Mr Bull be referred to the solicitor for his opinion.” He thought that it would be a dangerous precedent to admit their claims. Seconded by Mr Horner and carried;

A letter was read from the Marino Department, Wellington, stating that authority had been given for the leasing of Section 109, Whenuakura District, and (hat the Commissioner of Grown Lands at Patea would take the necessarv action.

Mr E. C. Horner wrote asking for an allowance of the wharfage charges on twenty tons of old iron, part of the wreck of the ss. Patea. The letter stated that owing to the break in the trade of the port, his clients who purchased the iron had been unable to remove it to Wellington. The wharfage at 14s 6d per ton amounted to £l4 10s 0.1. After a somewhat warm discussion, the following resolution was carried on a division by 3 to 1 : Proposed by Mr Peacock, seconded by Mr Gibson “ That in the opinion of the Board, as the old iron has not inconvenienced the wharfinger, the Board agrees to receive £10.”

Mr Ulick Burke wrote offering to surrender the lease of section 73 lot 2 held by him, for a consideration of £6O. The Secretary was instructed to reply declining to take over the lease.

Letters were read from Messrs G. Gane and M. S. Daniels applying for leave to transfer their leases to Mr P, McLaughlin. Agreed to. Mr Aitchison wrote tendering his resignation, which was accepted. Mr R. Horner, the chairman of the recent meeting re Harbour matters, wrote enclosing copy of resolution asking the Board to -prepare plans and specifications of the work most useful at the Heads. On the motion of Mr Peacock it was resolved to allow the matter to stand over for future consideration.

pilot’s report. The Pilot reported that “the bar at present is very good, and the channel straight out, and at the end of the breakwater about one hundred feet wide, with a depth of three or four feet at low water on bar. “ The flagstaff has been removed and erected on the hill by the lighthouse, with semaphore, two six-inch blocks, and thirty fathoms of two-inch manilla line, and two iron rods for flags on beacons ; the beacons require painting. “There have been eight arrivals and eight departures since my last report, with one mishap. The Wakatu, on entering the river on the 13th, drifted on the westermost corner of the breakwater and stove in her side. “ The surf-boat- has been repaired and put in good order, “ The water-tank at the pilot-house requires painting, as.it will not hold water. I require another room added to the house, and another fireplace, as there is but one in the house.” The report as received, with the exception of the last cause, was adopted. wharfinger’s report. The Wharfinger reported that “ everything under his charge was in good order, with one exception, viz., the front of the new wharf, which has sunk considerably, and will require eight or ten loads of clay to bring it up to the proper level. “ He had also to inform the Board that the pipes are fixed, and water laid on to the trough in the cattle yards. “ He enclosed list of goods damaged by water, ex Wakatu, 13th, 14th, and 16th October. Up to date the consignees had not taken delivery, and he awaited the ’ Board’s instructions as to their disposal in the event of the consignees still refusing to take delivery after receiving formal notice to do so. “ He would also call the Board’s attention to Messrs Williams Bros,, and Mr McCarthy’s shipments. He sent both parties written notice to remove their goods on the 23rd August, 1882.” —cniioj.<»pnrwas received. ACCOUNTS. ' Accounts amounting to £52 11s 9d were passed for payment. COLLAPSE. At this stage, as Mr Peacock was on the point of putting a motion before the Board, Mr Adams left the room and the meeting lapsed for want of a quorum.