HARBOR BOARD.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5624, 20 November 1889, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Board was held last evening. — Present — The Chairman, and Messrs Arthur, Sievwright, Chambers, Shelton, and Townley. RATES. The Secretary read a letter to the Government requesting payment of L 589 9s Bdns of rates on Crown and Native lands'. HARBOR GOODS SHED. A letters was read from carters, complaining of the arrangements for delivery of goods at the wharf, and suggesting that the flooring of the Harbor Board shed be raised to the level of the wharf. The present floor is about 2ft below the wharf. Mr Chambers thought the carters had a substantial grievance. He would prefer that a false floor be laid above the present ono. He moved that the prayer of the petition be acceded to. Mr Arthur thought it would be better to refer the matter to the Engineer, whereby they would obtain an estimate of the cost. Mr Chambers thought the work would not cost more than L3O. Mr Shelton was opposed to going to the expense. The carters were paid for th» work they did. A small platform costing 10s would servo the purpose. He had the same difficulty in his own store, and lie certainly did not think of raising the floor or putting a false one in. Mr Chambers said it appeared to him that at present the carters were compelled to do unnecessary work without good to anybody. Mr Townley said if they did anything he would be in favor of raising the floor to the level of the wharf, but he agreed with Mr Arthur that it would be better to let the Engineer first report on the matter. It was agreed to refer the matter to the Engineer, to report at next meeting. A LAND CLAIM. W. H. Tucker wrote claiming payments, on behalf of the native owners, for land taken for the blockyard site, payment to l»e at the same rate as that fixed by the Arbitration Court in the award of his (Captain Tucker's) case. The Secretary said that L3OO had been paid for about 2j acres under the award. Mr Chambers said it was a very good for the land, but he supposed that they must be guided by the award of the Arbitration Court. Mr Townley was under the impression that all the land taken had been paid for except the area embraced in Mr Harris's claim. Consideration of the matter was deferred. THE GISBORNE CLAIMANT. Mr John Thompson, late Royal Engineer, wrote that he had not abandoned his claim on account of the Board appropriating his plans for the harbor works. INJURY TO PILOT BOAT. The Harbormaster reported that the cutter Venus had injured the pilot boat to an extent that it would take about Ll4 to repair. The Engineer said if the boat had not been where it was the Venus would have been injured against the breakwater ; the boat acted as a fender. The Harbormaster said that the boat should not have been where it was, though at the same time there was plenty of room for the Venus to pass. The Engineer was of opinion that the Board had a perfect right to have a boat at the pier. It was resolved that the owners or charterers of the Venus be called upon to pay the amount of damage within a week, or proceedings would be taken. Mr Shelton dissented from the motion on the ground that they should not take proceedings until they heard the other side. THE SAND PUMP. A letter was read from Messrs Thomson Bros., Dunedin, asking if the sand pump was for sale, and what price would be required. — It was stated that the sand pump had cost from LBSO to L9OO. The Engineer said the engine of the pump was at present in use in pile driving. The pump would not be required in the construction of the pier, although it might yet be required in lifting the sand in the river. The present offer was probably made in connection with goldmining. Mr Chambers was of opinion that as the pump was not required for the purpose for which it was bought, it would be better to dispose of it, especially as it had been stated more effective means could be employed for the removal, if necessary, of the sand in the river. It was agreed that the Board should accept LIOOO for the pump, delivery to be taken at Gisborne. engineer's report. Mr Thomson reported : — The length of breakwater finished is 93Sft, and the depth at high water 20ft out from tlie pier at each 100 ft are as follows, commencing at flCOft and working landwards : — • 16ft 9in, 16ft 3in, 14ft, 13ft Gin, 10ft, 9ft, Oft Gin, and 7ft 9iu at 200ffc, Since the Oraiwiti was alongside the breakwater, we have had two other steamers — the Australia on the 9th Nov., and Southern Cross on the loth Nov. — both vessels having cement for the works. On tho loth the cutter Verms ran into and destroyed the pilot boat as it lay alongside the breakwater iv attendance on the steamer. At the place where the accident took place there is a depth of Bft 40ft from the breakwater, snd 7ft 6in at 100 ft at high water according; to last soundings. The work at the training wall is progressing, and we hope to get in the fascines between the piles and the beach this week. I expect the tide ft-om Wellington by next steamer. Meantime vre are getting ready for he survey. PAYMENTS. The following accounts were passed for payment : — £ s d Weighbridge-keeper ... 2 0 0 Duty on cement ... ... 4813 1 Wharfinger 16 13 4 Harbormaster 16 13 4 Secretary ... 8 6 8 G;ts Company ... ... 21 1 3 Brown and Smaill ... 3 5 O Inspector of Nuisances ... 210 (> Scavenger ... ... 10 0 Kennedy and Evans . . . 190 12 6 P. McLoughlin 32 15 8 J. Mullane 4 18 4 Brown and Smaill ... 16 15 8 G. Humphries 11 15 8 Wingate, Burns, & C 0.... 71 6 5 Wages, etc 274 19 1 J. Grady 14 0 0 Captain Ingram, who was recently killed by an elephant in South Africa, some time before his death unwound the cere-cloth of an Egyptian mummy. Inside he discovered"^ tablet, which, being translated, was found to prophesy that the person who profaned the grave-clothes would die a violent death within three months of his sacriligious act, and his bones be scattered to the winds. Within the prescribed time the threat or prophecy came true. Captain Ingram was killed in South Africa, and only his thigh bone remained to attest his fate.

A colonial physician tells the following good story of his early struggles in his profession : — " I insinuated to a reverend friend how advantageous it would be to hi© if lie ■would notice my being called occa sionally out of church ; and he did. Dr. Grosgrain, my chief competitor, also insisted on receiving clerical attention. The next Sunday a page boy came running into the building and whispered to my opponent, who left immediately. The pastor who was about to begin his sermon, hesitated and then said : ' Brethren, let us pray for a sick man who is in great danger—Dr Grostfrain has been called to sre him.' This settled the other doctor and, left the iield tome."