PATEA HARBOUR BOARD.

Patea Mail, Volume XXXIX, 8 July 1914, Page 2

PATEA HARBOUR BOARD.

Monthly Meeting.

The monthly meeting of the Patea 1 Harbour was held on Monday, ( Present: Messrs F. W. Grainger | (Deputy-Chairman). J. R. Corrigan, ,T. E. Death, H. G. Dickie, E. L Barton and Johnston.

Members’ Travelling Expenses. Th** Auditor and Controller General wrote that the audit office was only concerned as to whether members’ travelling expenses were reasonable and had been actually incurred. Ho gathered from the correspondence that the Board considered that as long as expenses were reasonable and fair it did not matter whether they were actually psid or not and a comparison of the respective tabulation forwarded for the Auditor’s inspection bear this out, members having apparently been in the habit of claiming train and cab fares in excess of what was actually paid by them. This method was undoubtedly illegal and opposed both to the spiiit and letter of the Harbours Act, 1908, and he had now to notify members that if these pay~ men's wore persisted in, he would, when the next balance sheet came before hjm for certificate, institute the necessary legal proceedings for the recovery of all expenses not actually incurred and supported by vouchers. In the case of the Waverley member who used his motor car he was only entitled to claim the same expenses as his fellow members who journeyed by train and any excess would be liable to surcharge.

Captain Johnston: The sooner we cut them down the better. The Chairman said that with refer*enoe to vouchers it was absurd to expect members to obtain vouchers for cab hire and dinners. He believed that if members for the future charged only their out of pockec expenses the Department would not' take any notice of the past, Or the motion of Messrs Corrigan and Death it was resolved that the letter be received, and lie on the table.

Iron Works Option. Mr A D Bayfield wrote asking if the Board would supply him with a rough plan showing both Mr Bates’ ground leased from the Board and that over which he had an option for iron works, as both he and Mr Bates were a little confused as to area which they both held. He had been officially informed that under the advice of the Crown Law officers xt would be necessary to get a Bill, now in preparation, passed giving the necessary authority for payment of bonus. The Clerk said the information had been sent to Mr Bayfield,

Wharfinger’s Duties. During a discussion as to whether any check' was being made on the gravel removed from the beach it was suggested that the Wharfinger should be asked to carry out this work. Mr Barton asked what the Wharfinger did during the winter. The Chairman replied that ho was to paint the shed, etc., but he had really little to do. It was necessary for him to be about to receive any stuff.

Mr Barton suggested that it would bo as well if the Wharfinger were to keep a diary of the work ho did.

On the motion of Mr Corrigan, seconded by Mr Barton, it was decided that the Wharfinger keep a check on stone removed from the beach and also that a diary be obtained for him.

Members said this would enable tfie Board to know what work he was doing. Resident Engineer\Appointed.

The Board went into committee to consider applications for the position of Resident Engineer for the Board. On resuming the Clerk reported that it bad been decided that Mr Toogood be appointed to the position of Resident Engineer to the Board. The report was adopted. On the motion of Mr Corrigan, seconded by Mr Dickie, the Chairman, with Messrs Death and Barton, were appointed a committee to arrange details in connection with the Engineer’s appointment. Messrs Death and the Chairman were appointed a committee to enquire into and report on tho work of the Harbour Board’s staff.

The offer of Messrs Langlands and Company was held over until the arrival of tho Engineer. Pilot's Report.

Tho Pilot (Captain Tinney) reported that the channel over the bar is straight bearing B.W. by S. J S. from tne flagstaff by compass, with about eleven feet at high water spring tides, end eight feet at high water neap tides, and about 180 feet wide On the 30th June he took soundings but was only about -100 feet outside tho walls, there being too much break on. He got ten feet all the way out, with seven feet six inches showing on the tide guagh with good water in the western bay. There were thirteen arrivals and departures during thei month.

The report was adopted. It was decided that the Engineer be instructed to consider tho question of scow and other plant suitable for tho improvement of tho port and that Messrs Death, Barton and the Chairman be a committee to procure same if found advisable. It was resolved that the Board consent to tho revocation of tho Order in Council made on the slh day of September. 159.5 under the Pub'ic Bodies Powers Act, INfi? in order to enable an Order in Council to bo made declaring the I’atea Harbour Board under the Public Bodies Leasing Act to be a leasing authority under the provisions of the last named Act.

Accounts were read and passed for payment and tho Board adjourned.