NELSON HARBOUR BOARD.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13095, 2 May 1911, Page 4

NELSON HARBOUR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. ," The first meeting of the newly elected Harbour Board was held at the Port yesterday. Present: Messrs J. Graham, M.l\, W. N. Franklyn., W. Coleman,'W. Lock, G. Macmahon, H. It. Duncan, P.. Best, J. C. Mercer, E. E. Trask, and Captain H., Mac-, nab. The Secretary (Mr. S. F. Sherwood) took the chair, and called for nominations for the .office of chairman. Mr Macmahon was nominated by Messrs Duncan and Lock, and Mr Graham by Messrs Franklyn and , Trask. On the motion for the election of Mr Graham being put the voting was: Ayes: Messrs Franklyn, Trask and Coleman. Noes: Messrs Duncan, Mercer Lock and Macnab. Messrs Graham and Macmahon refrained from voting. Mr Macmahon was then declared elected chairman. FINANCE. The bank .pass-book showed the following balances —Cr.: General account, £1,300 12s. Dr.: Loan account, £729 8s Id. Cr.: £571 3s lid. Receipts: Pilotage exemption certificate, £2; pilotage, April, £370 8s 4d (April 1910) £346 15s lOd). Accounts were passed for payment amounting to £267 2s sd. THE HARBOURMASTER'S REPORT. The Harbourmaster (Captain Collins) reported a slight increase of trade for the month as compared with the corresponding period of last year. During the month 157 vessels arrived and departed, made up as follows: 38 Union Company's steamers, 87 small steamers, and 32 sailing vessels, making a total of 32,183 tons register. Captain Purvis, of the steamer Kennedy, had passed the necessary examination required for a pilotage exemption certificate. The report was adopted. THE DREDGEMASTER'S REPORT. The report of the dredgemaster (Mr J. McHarg) detailed the repairs done to the dredge during the month. The report was adopted. CORRESPONDENCE.

The Town Clerk wrote asking, if the Board would have any objection, in the event of a scheme for swimming baths being carried, to a main being laid .across the harbour.—Consideration deferred for one month.

The Town Clerk wrote asking if the Board would allow the Council to remove 6000 cubic yards of stone from the Boulder Bank.—Air Mercer moved that the Council be allowed to remove stone from the Boulder Bank under the supervision of the Harbourmaster, at tho usual charge of 4d per yard. Mr Lock seconded. Carried.

Mr R. W. Stiles, secretary of the Pitt Memorial Committee, wrote asking that they be allowed to remove stone from the Boulder Bank free of cost, for the Pitt memorial.—On the motion of Messrs Lock and Duncan the request was granted. GENERAL. Mr Franklyn moved that tenders be invited fqr three hopper barges, to' be dealt with at the next meeting 'of the Board. Mr Graham explained that tenders had already been invited, but through a misunderstanding the tender received had been rejected. He thought if the tender received was accepted much time would bo saved. It was imperative that dredging should be continued, but this could not be done without barges. The casing of the] barges was worn out, and if it was repaired they would be as good as new. Mr Lock seconded the motion. Mr. Best thought the tender should be accepted.

Mr Mercer objected, and the motion was carried.

Mr Franklyn moved and Mr Lock seconded that the Harbourmaster attend the monthly meetings of the Board.

It was pointed out that the presence of the Harbourmaster was nos always necessary. Mr Graham moved and Mr Duncan seconded that the Harbourmaster bo in attendance at his office on the days the Board met.

The amendment was carried. Mr W. Colemair was unanimously re-elected treasurer.

In reply to Mr Franklyn the secretary stilted that no reply had been received from the Railway Department in regard to the claim for payment for dredging at the wharf. Mr Lock asked if the Chairman would accept a motion at the next meeting again urging the Government to hand over the control of the wharves to the Harbour BburdV "' The Chairman said Mr Lock could give notice of motion if lie desired.. Mr Mercer mqved that' application, be made for an Order-in»CpuncU to close the oyster beds on the Waimca mud flats from year to year. Mr Lock seconded the motion, which was carried.

In reply to Mr Coleman, the secretary said that the tracing of the plan of the Board's foreshore endowments had not yet been received from the Lands Department. Mr Coleman said the members should inspect tho Board's endowments when the tracings were received.

Captain Macnab asked if arrangements could be made between the Board and the Railway Department for a nightwatchman at the wharf.

Mr Graham said the wharf belonged to the Railway Department, and the Board should not pay for a night watchman.

It was unanimously resolved that the Department be again approached and asked to pro-vide a night watchman at the wharf.

It was resolved on Mr Duncan's motion that the tug Gordon be advertised for sale.

It was resolved on Mr Franklyn's motion that a report be obtained from tho dredgemaster as to the feasibility of repairing tho tug Gordon.

It was also resolved that the matter of advertising the tug for sale be postponed pending the receipt of the dredgemaster's report. Mr Franklyn gave notice to move that the question of the acquisition of the wharves be discussed at the next meeting of the Board. The Chairman remarked that in the interest of the harbour the Board should have control of the wharves.

The Chairman gave notice to move that the matter of altering the day of meeting be discussed at the next meeting of the Board.

The Board rose at noon