WAIROA HARBOR BOARD

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17909, 13 October 1932, Page 12

WAIROA HARBOR BOARD

THE MONTHLY MEETING (Herald Correspondent.) The Wairoa Harbor Board met on Tuesday. Present: Messrs. 11. L. llarKer, chairman, T. Davcy, F. L. Joblm, p. J. Brewster, J. M. Taylor, A. 1. Carroll and R. Tapper, jun. • Arising out of the minutes, the chauinan stated that the amount of £4 claimed for the unauthorised use ot the board’s B shed had been paid. Tho legal opinion being favorable to that course, the sum of £3OO had been placed on deposit at call with the Borough Louucii. die had decided not to press tor bi-monthly meetings of the board until tilings had quietened after the earthquakes. He bad made an arrangement with Mr. McKenzie, assistant engineer-in-ehief of the Public Works Department, for the drawing of tho unsigntly piles at the damaged North Clyde wharf, iho terms being favorable. Hie chanman’s action was confirmed. The chairman referred to the press report regarding the Wairoa earthquake. He made inquiries and learned that no such cablo message was sent to Sydney by the Prime Minister, but ono was sent by the Tourist Department, not for publication. Tlie Prime Minister was not in this ease to blame, and ho was glad to be able to state this. A letter was received from tho Prime Minister’s office in respect to the advisability (suggested by the board) of censoring press cable messages of ail exaggerated nature. The chairman stressed the need for a revalnation of the county. Mr. Taylor said this was especially so in view ot the torn belt of country. He knew of one farmer who would have to ye-sow 500 acres. The chairman said this was a matter the County Council should take in hand -and secure estimates of the settlers’ losses, for many needed help Mr. Taylor said this need not necessarily be in tim form of a gift. It was decided to ask for a revaluation ot the county. The Harbors Association wrote in respect to the National Expenditure Act and its bearings on the board’s finances. —The board was not affected. It was decided to ask tlie East Coast Band Board for particulars of the position in regard to the Taramarama block. The Public Works Department wrote agreeing to the re-imposition of a penny wharfage oil sheep. The Treasury advised the payment of £sl 5.s lOd on account of Awamuto. Mr. K. Dalrymple wrote stating that ho had not yet been able to ascertain who altered tiio decision that spartina grass should he sent by lorry instead of by boat, as directed. “ Tlie borough surveyor of buildings reported that the board’s sheds and wharves were safe for occupation.

The Wairoa pilot reported seven arrivals and seven departures. The bar was workable on 28 days with a straight channel and an average depth of 7ft. at high water. The Waikokopu wharfinger reported that the port had been workable every day this month. He had received a number of sleepers from the Public Works Department for tho repair (if slieepyards; this work would be started immediately. A motion, of which Mr. Brewster had given notice, to rescind a resolution fixing travelling allowances to members, was carried. It was decided to write to tho Audit Department to ascertain if the board could pay members’ travelling expenses oil a mileage basis, and at what rate, pointing out that the service car hours did not prove convenient. It was arranged that a special meeting he held on Saturday to confirm a bylaw. The secretary reported that the auditor had stated there was no authority in law for granting a ledger account to consignees except after security had been given. It was left to tlie secretary to arrange this matter, and to write to Napici*, Gisborne and l’atea as to their practice in such a, case.