HARBOR BOARD.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5435, 27 March 1889, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Board was held last evening. Present : Captain Tucker (Chairman), and Messrs Townley, Sievwi-ight, Sheltoii, Bennett, Murphy, Matthewsou, Clark, and Chambers. TAUWIIAHKI'AKK. Sir Geo. Whitmore wrote stating that his offer for a portion of Tauwharcpare block would remain as a tender, it, however, being open to him to him to amend or withdraw the offer if he deemed necessary. CONCBETE BLOCKS. A letter was read from the Engineer giving information with regard to concrete blocks, etc. Mr Chambers asked why that letter was read at the Board. It was stated that it was in reply to a former question put by Mr Shelton. Mr 'Chambers said the information would bo shown by the records of the office, and it was only wasting the time of the Board bringing such matters forward. The Chairman said he for one was not aware of the information afforded. HARBOR BOARDS AND PILOTS. A letter was read from the Timaru Harbor !;m-d with reference to having the law amend d so as to limit the responsibility of Harbor Boards for the acts of the Harbormaster where it was proved he was «. duly qualified pilot. An accompanying letter was also read from the Secretary of Marine, stating that the subject would receive attention when the amendment of the Harbors Act was under consideration. DEAD ANIMALS ON FORESHORE. The Borough Inspector of Nuisances wrote asking that the Board allow Mr Dolman, the contractor, 10s piT head for bury'ng dead horses and 2s for sheep found on the Board's property.— lt was agreed to accept the offer, but if the owner were found he was to be charged instead of the Board. THE KATES. MrDoLiUitour, the Board's solicitor, wrote thit of the 1330 rates outstanding, very little in his opinion will be lost, as the rate follows the land. About £190 was sufficiently certain, and for the balance judgments had been obtained. Mr McKcn/.ie would be sued for all arrears in one action. There was no other 1887 outstanding rate worth suing for, and he did not regard x\lr McKenzie's as a test case. He recommended that the payment of the 1888 rate bo enforced. Mr Clark thought that the ao'icitor should force Mr McKenzie to pay the 1887 rate before sueing others for the 1888 rate, Mr Chambers moved that the Clerk take steps to recover the arrears of all rates. Mr Sievwright seconded. Mr Clark said the matter was being contested by a substantial man as a test case, and he was willing to be sued. Mr Bennett agreed that the 1887 rate should be first; enforced. Mr Clark moved that Mr McKeime be sued for 1887 rate before proceedings were taken against others for the 1888 rate. Mr Shelton suggested that the amendment be altered to so that Mr McKenaie be sued for both years' rates. Mi Clark accepted the suggestion, and the amendment was carried that Mr McKenzie be sued forthwith, and one week before any other defaulting ratepayers. Mr Chamber's motion was also put and carried. Mr Clark thought the Board was open to blame for not pressing on proceedings against Mr McKenzie, so as to give time for the case being finally settled before taking action for recovery of 1888 rates. THE CEMENT REQUIREMENTS.

The Engineer, iti accordance with a question put by Mr Murphy at a previous meeting, gave the following information as to how long the cement on hand and contracted for would last : — On 9th March ßlo casks on hand should last to March 26th Duthie, 500 casks, to April 6th Duthie, COO V " 18 lonic IC2D " May 10 •2947 " J"iy 14 2947 :> Sept. 16 " 2947 " Nov. 10 " 1949 (balance of 23(3 tons), Jan. 1, 1890 Taking as a guide the quantity used .s ; 'ice the beg'nning of the year. engineer's report. Mr Thomson reported : — We have finished foundation of section on hand, which when completed will extend the \.viv to GB2ft. It is necessary to prepare plans for the Marine Department to obtain permission to continue the work, as our present permit only extends to 800 feet. Four ground vnccls are required for the Hercules. V?c have been obliged to put on two p'nee L e^lnning work. Black birch fenders are required for the pier from 4Coft out. At a former meeting it was decided to use white pine for the inner end. On Saturday, 23rd, we receive 400 casks of cement from Mr Duihie, Wellington. The heavy southerly weather the week before last washed the sand t pit up on the beach, as I indicated it would do in my last report, and the channel is good. The Wa'iapu loaded barley at the breakwater on the 22nd inst. On 21st the diver got six feet at low water 100 ft off the pier at 500 ft oiu. There was a depth of lift 6in ac the pier end at the same time to the sand. This morning the contractor had on'y three trucks cf stone ready, consequently we had to atop blockmaking. p. w. committee's report. The following report was read :— The Committee recommend that a small Committee be appointed to go into the matter of McLeod's claims, and if considered uecessaiy to obtain expert evidence and report to the Board, the Committee to consist of Messrs Chambers, Townley and Matthewsoa. On the motion of Mr Chambers, Messrs Chambers, Townley and Matthewson were appointed to report ou MeLeod's claim. Mr Chambers moved that the Engineer's recommendation be adopted as to black birch fenders for the pier. Mr Matthewson thought that white pine should stand as far out as the work is now carried. The breakwater would not be used by vessels for SCO or 400 ft out. Mr Chambers said the Engineer held a different view, and he would prefer his opinion to that of Mr Matthewson. Mr Matthewson thought the Harbormaster's opinion should be asked. » Messrs Chambers and Sievwright were of opinion that it would not be advisable to place one officer in a position where he might have to contradict another. The Chairnan did not think there would be any harm in asking the question. Mr Chambers thought if the Engineer was considered competent and trustworthy, they should accept the opinion of such a responsible officer. They were not treating the Engineer properly. The question being pub to the Harboriraster, he said he would not feel justified in mooring a vessel within the first 400 ft of the root of the breakwater for more than one tie. The Waiupu drawing Bft was moored 41 )ft out, and she was about lft Gin aground at low water. Mr Townley seconded the adoption of the Engineer's suggestion. Mr Matthewson moved an amendment that no fenders be used for the first 31 Jft, and white pine for the next 400 ft. The Chairman thought it was clear that the previous instruction of the Board was that the white pine should commence at 400 ft. The Engineer said that was certainly not in accordance with his suggestion. Mr Chambers moved that in order to give white pine a trial it be used for the first COO feet and black birch afterwards. Mr Shelton moved that no fenders be used for 400 ft, and that white pine be used from that distance outwards. — Agreed to. Tin: knoinkeii's fc.vo;A<;i:.ui:vr. Mr Sievwright thought there would have been a report brought up by the Committe. with regard to the Engineer's engagement. If the Engineer were forced to give them notice of his intention, it would commit him to a course of action. He had understood the Committee were to meet Mr Thomson on the subject, and draw up a report. He would regret very much seeing the Board going into Court at all over the matter. He moved that a committee, consisting of Messrs Chambers, Townley, and Matthewson confer with the Engineer with a view to making an arrangement with him. Mr Chambers agreed with Mr Sie\ vright. He regretted that t>ny action had been taken to give the Engineer notice, and thought that in an important matter of the kind they should have waited for a full meeting of the Board. He did not see how the

notion could havo beeu passed without lotice being given, and that was the case. The Chairman mud it was his recollection hat the subject had been before the Board wo or three times. Mr Chambers said the Board did not even •espect the recommendation of the Commit;ee, wiiich was the Engineer be given si:: nonths' notice, whereas he had only got four nouths. The whole thing seemed to have irisen out of no regard for the public ;erest. It was a deliberate insult to : • rhomson. A man in his position should not oe at the beck and call of every Tom, Dick, md Harry. So long as the Engineer dis3harged his duties properly the Board had no right to interfere with him. The Board j would be landed in considerable difficulty by its hasty action. He would go further than the motion, for he thought it was the duty of the Board to rescind the resolution. Ho did not think any more Committees should be appointed ; they were always making mischief. He was perfectly sure the Board was open to very heavy damages for the insult the Engineer received from the Board. If they had given a reason there might have been some excuse, but the only reason they had given was that they did not know the Engineer's position. Mr Thomson has got a reputation which extends over the whole colony. It would be seen by reference to Hansard that Mr Thomson had been spoken of in Parliament as one of the best marine engineers in the colony. Let them rescind the motion at once, and reinstate Mr Thomson in the position he had a right to hold. He would move that the motion giving notice to the Engineer be rescinded. The Chairman did not think Snch a motion could be put without the usual notice. Mr vShelton seconded Mr Siev Wright's proposition. It was always understood that a Committee would report. Mr Thomson had one idea as to the terms of his engagement, and the Committee had another, and it was to settle the question that notice had been given. ' Mr Matthewson would decline to act on I the Committee. It was clearly understood that the Board would be willing to confer j with Mr Thomson, but the latter had in- J formed the Committee he would refer t ho matter to a solicitor. Mr Clark also thought Mr Thomson had taken the matter out of their hands by placing it in the hands of the solicitor. Mr Sievwright did not think it was tinduty of the Engineer to offer fresh terms to the Board. Mr Bennett could not understand why Mr Siev wright wanted another report from tho Committee. Nothing had been said about cutting down the salary of the Engineer, or to do anything else but define his position. He (Mr Thomson) claimed to sit there and do as he liked, and if his claim were admitted he could snap his fingers at the Board. Mr Chambers said the arrangements were made by a previous Board, who were really responsible for any looseness in the agreement. Mr Townley did not see what the Committee could confer about. They had given Mr Thomson a bald notice. He (Mr Townley) would not act on such a Committee. Mr Sievwright repeated that the Committee had made no effort to make fresh arrangements. Mr Shelton said the Committee was will-, ing to make fresh arrangements, but the Eugineer declined. The Chairman spoke to the sair.e effect. The subject dropped, Mr Sievwright stating that it was no use proceeding further with his motion, as Messrs Townley and M.itthewson had declined to act on the propo^d

Committee. Mr Chambers gave notice that he would move at next meeting that the notice given to the Engineer be rescinded. Mr Clark stated that he had intended to mo\ c in the same direction, as it appeared to him the only way of preventing a lawsuit. THE CONTRACT SYSTEM. Mr Bennett asked and obtained leave, owing to the lateness of the hour, to postpone his motion re extension of work by contract until next meeting of the Board. TAUWHAREFARE. Mr Sievwright moved : — I (1.) That the Board resolves to request the Governor by order in Council to declare the t Board as to land in or belonging to it, as endowment or otherwise, to be subject to the Public Powers Act, of 1887, and in view thereof rescind the resolution of the Board to bring the Tauwharepuro block under the perpetual leasing system of the Land Act. (2.) That the resolution as to dealing with the Tauwharepare block in accordance with sections 187 and 138 of the Genet al Harbors Act passed on 12th March, ISS9, be rescinded as passed by a majority only without notice being given, contrary to the standing orders, and while a previous resolution stand on the minnte book to dual with the land differently; and, also, even if sections 187 and 138 are applicable, which is very questionable — because objectionable in itself in view of the great facilties given by the Public Bodies Powers Act, 1887. Mr Clark would like to see the land offered for 21 or 30 years without any conditions as to improvements or renewal. The experiment would not cost much. Mr Chambers would not like to see the property dealt with so long as the Government had cheap land in the market. If it belonged to a private person he would not think of letting it on the terms likely to be offered. Mr Murphy said the Government land was offered at 1M per acre, and that was the rent which had been offered for the half of the block by Sir G. Whifcmorc. Mr Shelton said there was already one offer for the block, and another gentleman was looking after the property with the idea of making an offer. He thought they should turn the land to account as soon as possible. Mr Bennett also spoke in favor of dealing with the land. The offer of three halfpence per acre was worth consideration, as it would bring money in, and at the same time relieve the Board of a liability for rates. Mr Sievwright said land in an almost inaccessible position was now being let in the Wanganui district at sixpence per acre. Mr Townloy hoped they would endeavor to let the land in more than two sections. Mr Clark would like to see substantial meu on the block. Small settlers might starve, and probably would not pay the rates. Mr Murphy had no desire to hurry on the disposal of the land. He thought five or six months would probably elapse before the land would be let. Mr Chambers did not think he would ha , c any difficulty in finding a tenant for 10,t~-) acres at threepence per acre. Mr Clark moved as an amendment that the Board resolves to let the block in two sections of about 22,000 acres each for thirty yeurs, and that Messrs Bennett, Chambers, and the mover be appointed a Committee to draw up terms and conditions. Mr Bennett seconded. Mr Sievwright desired to enter his deliberate and solemn protest at the proposed sacrifice of the Board's property. Land like Tauwharepare was not to be had in districts where land was fetching a rental of Gel per acre. Mr Clark said the Government could have sold or leased their land in this district a dozen years ago on fair terms, but having kept it ever since, were now sacrificing it. The passage of the amendment would not necessarily sacrifice the property, as it would be optional with the Board to refuse a l<^v rental. The amendment was then put and curried. PAYMENTS. The following accounts were passed for

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payment : — £ s d Borough Counoil ... 7 10 0 Secretary 8 6 8 Wharfinger ... ... 16 13 4 Harbormaster 1(3 13 4 Weighbridge-keeper ... 10 0 Herald 8 7 6 Petty Cash 10 0 0 Standard Co 2 10 .1. Nicholas 7 9 10 .1. A. Harding 17 3 Kennedy and Evans ... 35 1 8 J. Duthie 440 0 0 ! Wingate, Burns, &C 0... 16 15 4 H. Partington 0 16 3 H. E. Johnstone ... 40 0 0 ' J. Mullane 4 13 5 ' P. McLoushlin ... 21 3 6 ' A. McLcod 38 12 3 Wages 233 0 0 1 Total £910 0 3