HARBOR BOARD.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8052, 29 October 1897, Page 4

HARBOR BOARD.

At the meeting of the Harbor Board yesterday afternoon, in addition to that already reported, the following business was transacted : — WAGES PROTECTION BILL. A letter was read from Mr W. Ferfuson, Secretary to the Wellington Haror Board, on the subject of part 2 of the AVages Protection Bill, now before Parliament, which relates to contractors to local authorities. The writer dealt at some length with the details of the proposed measure and said it seemed to the Committee of the Wellington Harbor Board who had gone into the matter that for some hypothetical case which could scarcely occur in practical every day life the contractors to local bodies are to be harassed with the I making of elaborate returns, under heavy penalties, and the local authorities arc to have unnecessary and entirely futile duties cast upon them. In conclusion the writer asked the Board to take such action as they thought advisable to prevent the clauses as drafted becoming law. Mr Macfarlane thought local bodies should be supplied with copies of Bills affecting their interests. It was decided to write to the member for the district for a copy of the Bill, and to thank the Wellington Harbor Board for the information supplied. REQUESTS. Messrs Humphreys and Davys wrote asking for a share in any ironwork required by the Board. The Chairman said very little work had already been done, but Messrs Humphreys and Davys would probably get their share. Mr Chrisp moved that in the carrying out of the harbor works, for any work likely to cost over £10, the Engineer should get tenders from local firms. The Chairman said the letter of instructions to the Engineer instructed him in that direction. Mr J. Jenne also wrote asking that a schedule of prices should be invited from local firms for the supply of material for six or twelve months. Mr King, the Engineer, stated that as soon as he was in a position to specify the nature of the work he required it was his intention to get prices from the local firms. The work he had already done was not of a kind which could bo submitted to local firms. REFORLS. The Engineer's report, already published was read, but not discussed. The Harbormaster's report having been read, The Chairman said the report showed the necessity of the groyne being extended the full length of 500 ft Mr Shelton said he did not consider the report satisfactory. They had a schooner here this month which could not come in until she had lightered half her cargo, whereas about 40 tons was sufficient previously. The Chairman said that was due to the fact that not sufficient dredging had been done, but considering how very little had been done the position was very satisfactory. Mr Chrisp said the sooner they got the groyne under way the better. He knew that the Union Company would send the Waihi here as soon as there was water enongh. The Chairman said a vessel strong enough to tug a ship of good size was very necessary here. The other day the Sydney Belle hail to stay here for several days because they had not a tug strong enough to tow her out. The river was scoured down to bed rock almost from the top to the bottom of the groyne. Mr Shelton said every boat that touched bottom touched it at that part of the groyne near the Waikanae. The Chairman said that was because it wanted dredging there. Ho admitted that J if they kept on dredging it might save the '■ groyne, but the groyne would save a great '• deal of dredging. Mr Chrisp : We want both dredge and groyne. The Chairman suggested the Government should get a first-class dredge or two and send them occasionally to the various harbors to keep them clear. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £5145, including £5075 interest, were passed for payment. The Chairman stated that the amount of £16 had been deducted for expenses from the £10.0 deposit of Messrs Humphreys, Davys and Webb — £10 solicitor's [account, and £6 for advertising — and the balance returned to the tenderers. TYPEWRITER. The Chairman said the Secretary had applied for a typewriting machine. After a orief discussion it was decided that the request could not be complied with. FINANCE. The Chairman, in reply to a question, said it was estimated they would be overdrawn about £2000 at the end of the current year, including the £700 which they had to pay to the Public Trustee. Mr Shelton complained that the monthly statement furnished by the local auditor was not sufficient, and he moved that it be sent back so as to have further information added to it. Their object was to see what their liabilities and assets were. They were now shown in debit balance of £2427, and were going on with works without being able to see how they were going to pay for it. Mr iSievwright said against that there was £3500 due to the Board from rates, etc. The Chairman said the statement was only defective inasmuch as it did not show the current year's rates. Their present overdraft was due to their having just paid £5000 interest. At the end of December they would receive about £1300 in interest from the Public Trustee, and with their revenue and rates they expected the overdraft at the financial year to be about £2000. The motion was not pressed.