NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 189, 20 August 1901, Page 2

NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR BOARD.

The Harbour Board met on Fridaj Present: Messrs Maxwell (chairman) Oonnett, McLein, King, Price, Ward Sarten, Hignett, and Ralfe. Mr. Newton King wds heartily wel corned back, and congratul ited by al the membars on his safe return fron bis trip to the Old Oouotry. A letter was read from the Unioi Shipping Company, asking for specifi information as to time for bertbinj vesse's, and on the subject of the pas senger tax. The agent of the Northern S.S Company (Mr, W. D. Webster) noti fied that he had forwarded a copy o the water analysis obtained by thi Board to the head office. He «]« wrote, by instructions, protestinj against the proposed changes in thi working of the port, and also as to thi chairman's propoeal to alt'r berthag charges, and forwarded a copy of tb< manager's letter on these matters The lat'er communication poiutod ou that the charges were now much highei than elsewhlre, and by further increaa the trade of the district would be in jured. He considered that the pi c posed minimum charge of £5 woulc seriously effect small vessel?, and woulc prevent tbe Company's ntoamers cal in; for a few passengers, as was sometimei done at present. Ha also st'ongly pro tested against th? injustice of refusng to allow vessels to be berthed before I a.m., as such a rule inflicted hardship* on the passengers and crews. It wa simply preposterous and inhuman tx keep vessels rolling abut outside f*i the convenience of eome official, anc the idea was too ridiculous for him t> imagine for one moment that it woulbe carried out. With regard to th( proposal to substitute extra tonnagi for the present passenger tax, passen gers would still have to pay the chargi if the tonnage rates were increased. The Manager of the Northern Com pany forwaritd a copy of a letter re ueited from Captain Norbury of th( Ngapuhi. This letter stated that 01 July 18th the steamer arrived at tbi breakwater at 3.55, the morning beioj lark and dirty, heavy raio and stroaj breeze, and not only was there no guid ing light at the wharf but not asiog|< person was there to take tbe lines oi is?ist in berthing which had to bi iffeoted by the chitf officer and some «>: jbe crew who had to jump on to thi wharf for the purpose Hi also met' rioned other occasions sub* q'leotlj when similar experiences were eucoun ;ered. If assistance wa* cot given th< company would have *o employ a n'gh watchman at the breikwater. He alsi strongly protested agains l ; not beioj ible to before 5 a.m. The Harbourmvter (Captain Hood wrote stating that ,tbe fault, if any,l»; with Captain Norbury, as the usua iime of the Ngapuhi's arrival was be ;ween 4 and 5 a.m. He had previoii 1; ipoken te Capain Norhury on act and had bien held by hira tha ;hare was no need to berth befor.t i.re. and instructions had been givei :o the at the breakwater to coroi >n duty at 3 30. Had Captain N r jury waited for five minutes to eoablc signal lights to have been shown and riven time for the men to get down he would have received the usual at'eoion. Captain Hood pointed out that t was not prudent for any shipmaster o enter the harbour at any time unless he proper signals we-e otherriso it was entirely at the captain's iek,

It was decided to deal forthwith with Mr. Price's motion, of which he had given notice,, to rescind the resolution passed at the lust meeting of the Board that ships should not be berthed before 5 a.m.

Mr. Price contended that the resolution waa adverse to the interests of the port. It meant that vessels of large tonnage that were unable to enter at low water would have to lie outside for six or night hours before being berthed. Not only would this be very inconvenient but exp u nsiv<>, and the port would (jet a bad name. In the interests thereforn of the pisseug'r-, the ve-ss's and the Board, he deem d it nee R j ary that the resolution should he resciodtd, and he moved to that effect.

In seconding the motion Mr. Sut n said that one of the greatest mistuk-o the Bo*rJ rould m-ike was to alter arrangements that had hi herto work d well.

Mr. McLean stated he had vo'ed for the resolution without knowing the foil hewing* of the case, bu'< he w s convinced that it was a mistake to alter the old arrangements. In reply to Mr. Ralfe, Captain Hood stated that lately the speed of the Ngapuhi had been increased, the vessel arriving at 3a m. If he ware notified of the time of arrival he could arrange for berthing the vessel, The Chairman contended there w*s more in the matter than appeared in the letters before the Board. In view nf a proposed daily service, it was n it right th it the B >ard should drive i t servants to the length of having t<complain. It was now 11.30 btfoie the staff could get to b"d, and to expdo them to turn out at any hour between one and six was unreisonablp. From the way in which Captain Norbury was acting, the men would have to ba o duty at 1 o'clock, so that the s aft would only get about two hours sleep. It was quite clear the Hirbour Mas er could not be on duty at all hours, and it was not necessary that ships should b b rth'. Dat all hours. There was nothing to prevent the strainers leaving Au'kland very much U'et thin »t present, in fact there would be a di< tinet advantage in th&ir so doin?, as under present conditions the Eas Coast steamers mi-sed conn«cting. In the alternative, he fugges'od the voss<ls being brought down uoder easy steim. Another way out of the difficu'ty would be for the shipping companies to provide their own w-itchmon on the wharf as was done elsewhere, only or.e of the Board's staff being oq duty. Mr Hignett said the question was one of mutual c invenionce between the shipping cimpuiies and the Board He took it that C iptain Hood was in a better position to guide the Board on this mwter than any of the members. Mr King pointed out that the Bjar.i seemed to b? discussing the question only as it affected *be Ngapuhi, but He understood the Union Company was. just as much opposed to the restriction

as the .Northern Company. There! were only two lines working the port, and it was very desirable to work smoothly. He would vote dead against any restrictions, aud he wss convinced that if the matter was exphined to the companies, they would let the Harbour Blaster know tho expected time of arrival of vessels. Mr Connett thought the Board had acted rashly in passing the resolution. It was very nece=s*ry that there should be no restrictions, rather should their efforts he directed to popularising the pert. He saw no reason why a daily service should not be worked, but at

thi last meeting the Board m told that to carry tbu out a double et»ff would be required, though it appeared now that the employment of ataper* numerary would suffice. I Mr Ward considered there was bo [ difficulty in continuing the old arrangement, | Mr Ralfe thought the Board had been hasty, and that if the captain were satisfied with leas than the full the difficulty as to keeping the staft continuously employed could be ' overcome.

The motion to rtcind wa» then carried nem con. The Chairman then moved that the Harbour Master'fi s'ufl bi available for vessels berthed after 4.30 ajn., .but that vessel* beribtd before that hour must provide their own labour, only one of the Board's staff being neosmrifr present. Mr King urged that the motion should not be voted on without dm consideration, and suggested notice of motion should be given. Mr Rtlfe moved that Messrs Oonnett, King, and the chairman be a oooamittee to interview the shipping oojbpinies with a view to at at amicable arrangement us to time of berthage of vessels. Mr Pi ice seconded the motion, which wa« carried. The Treasurer notified that £IOOB 16» 7d had been pieced to the Board'* credit.

A quotation for rockets waa received, but the Board did not require any. A letter was read stating that Mr Nap<er Bell was unable, through illhe, lth, to come to New Plymouth at present. Mr. 0. 0. Hawke applied far a lease of section 23 Mount £lliot Beserve at 26s per foot. Granted on the sun* conditions as were impoeed by auotion. The Board's solicitor advised aa to the right of the Board to remove tbe stone wall on tbe reclaimed land on the town side of the railway works. It wis decided to leave the matter in the hands of Messrs Maxwell and Oonnett with power to deal therewith on the terms of the solicitor's opinioe. The solicitor reported that proceedings bad been taken against W. 0. Kyngden for removing gravel The secretary reported the result After some discussion in which it wen pointed out that thousands of loads of gravel were removed without permission, Mr. Partes moved that toe eeore ary be authorised to employ ' a nan to watch the beich and report all removals of gravels, and that the sec ret*ry institute proceedings against all person* removing g-avel without ft permit.—Carried. A deputation from the Tnranaki County Oounoil (Messrs Okey and Tate) waited on tne Board relative to the position of affairs in respect of the Bre tk water road. Mr. Okey suggested that the Board should appoint a committee to confer with the deputation with a view to coming to an arrargement bs to time of removal of the grant of stone and as to quarrying. The Chairman considered that ths Board should deal with the matter.

Mr. Okey explained tha* it was quit* impossible for the Oounoil to remove He considered 1000 yards would be required in the first year, but that it would take quite eight year* to um up the remaining 4000 yards, aid heoould see no objeotion to the time being extended. He thought the, Board might arrange to deliver the' metal at the root of the breakwater and this would enable a check to b# kept on thi quantity. * , Mr. late did not think the Bona would be in a position to supply the 5000 yards in three yea>B. A lengthy and argumentative die* mission on the matter was carried on up to the luncheon adjournment, just previous to which tho deputation withdrew.

Subsequently Ur. Higaet f , speaking on & notice of motion given by himself at last mWing, that unlessthso mnoll nocept the Harbour Board's offer by this meeting the o4er be withdrawn, expres«eo dissatisfaction at the wcillat<ng policy of the Council. The Council derive* about £7O a year in rates from lands on the road., Hi thiutht thi Biard shitid urge atnn the Government to gzote the rj<wl ft county raid if the Council did not tike it over on the Bond's offer. • The Chairman seconded.

Mr. Sirteo moved an amendm nt, That Messrs Dennett, King end 'he mover should be appointed a oommttt'e to make definite arrangements dei'inf • with tin road. % Mr. Cunnett raid he wou'd cay at ne had said before that Mr. Higne t ml trying to mislead the public, jler'lM knew as well as anyone that there was not 5000 yards of stone to be got withia one year. If the stud pomp w«r« done away with the Board »6uw have|m ney to do "some qua'rjW , g,aod then the Counoil could be QUHtjied in quantities bs they were obtained. At this point the chairman and Mr. Connett made tome expl mutton* in res?»rd to statsmonts about a former vote on the subject. Mr. Pi ice sud the Board should do all it cu'd to get the road handed te to the Council, but He igreel with Mr. Connett that there wis not 5000 vards of s one available at present. As to the remarks about rates, he pointed out the road had been und'r the control of no particular tody. The rates had h een for garerhl purposes on the n ain c unty roads. Mr. Ward seconded Mr, Brian's amendment. Mr. Kint sud the pr'ncipal trouble spemed to be about the time required for de'ivo y. lie did not see why the Boird could not to a fa r time 'uriag which the Council might be allowed to t>lio the met&l. Mr. it If i agived with Mr. f"oanett and Me. King that tHe rnly s&tisfaofactory way in which the Counoil rould i get the metal would h.< for the Board to deliver it at the fo >t of tie breakwater.

Mr. Hignett replied, and the chtir* man put Mr. Hienett'a no'ioe ot motion, which wa' lost, tbe chairman pointing out that i'. would be better to ako Mr. Sarteu's amerdment separately. It was then, on Ar. King'n sugpe*tion, decided ti se j the Coun'y Couroil deputation and if possible make definite arr»ngem?ntsstraight away. Messrs Okey and late then waited on the Board again, and the ohairmaa submitted a proposal that the Board "hould supply the 5000 yards of atone, the Council to pay cost of procuring and delivery at the root of tbe Breakwater, and at the rate of 1000 yards per annum. Mr. Okoy thought the Council might bp allowed to do the quarrying for itself. After balf-an-hour'a deliberation the Board decided to adopt tbe proposal made, and allow the Council, if it was found practicable and advisable, to [cart Ihe stone away; the Boird to [make application to the Government once for tho £IOO subsidy preniasd,

On division the Ayes were Connett, King, Ward, Price, Sarten, Ralfp; Noes—McLean, Hignett and Maxwell. The Board's solicitor wrote in reference to bye-laws.—Held over. Tbe Riilway Department wrote re lighting tbe wharf. It could not contribute to the cost. The D°partment also wrote regarding removal of spoil. It had r maved 52,000 yards of 8| il, which was more than required by the agreement. —The Chairman moveri that the Department be required 11 remove at le'S* 10,000 yards more of the spoil, as the Board's engineer had es'i-' mated the amount taken at 30,000 yards.—Mr Connett seconded the | motion. The Minister for Railways had promised that at least 20 feet of the street froDtrge (west side of Egmont street) should be removed.— Carried unanimously. The Wellington Harbour Board wrote in reference to Arbitration Court proceedings, as relating to the painting trade. The Wellington Board had been cited by the Wellington Industrial Union of Workers to appear as a party to a dispute, although it did not employ professional painters, but only h»d some of its labourers at work rc ■asionally on tarring, etc. —The New Plymouth Beard will heartily approve of the action taken by the Wel'ington Bo*rd. I

The Railway Department wrote that a<> it wished to improve facilities at the B'eikwater it desired permission to tract a small office at the re.r of the harbourmaster's office.

The Chairman sai l this was the only portion on the wharf cleir of rails, and offered a little safety to the public. Therefore, it could bardly be fair to band it over to tbe Railway Dibwtmeot.

Mr. King said the "dead end" would have to be altered. It was not business-like to spend jG3OOO as had been done. He (Mr. King) had been waited on by the stationmaster, who mid the inner berth was useless, as the Department could not nee the lines there fer discharging vessels. Finally, it was decided to inform the Department that it may erect an office on the west side of the wharf.' . The Vainer-General wrote in reference to section# of the Board, which could not be allowed at present te be placed on the valuation roll. The Ohairman's action in authorising new pipes being installed from the windmill to the reservoir was confirmed. A counts were passed amounting to X6ll Is 7d. Mr. McLean faid he would like to move a mo! ion that to facilitate the working of the after-hatches of the Bteimer, that Messrs Maxwell, Connect King be appointed a committee to meet the resident engineer and report as to the b»st mearg of working the after-hatch cf vessels on the inner berth. Seconded by Mr. Balfe, and carried. The Board adjourned at 5 p.m. till 7 p.m. On re:-umiog the Board considered applications for the position of foreman »t the works. Those received were, H. Frethey, J. Purdie, 6. fonnett, E. Rogers, A. G. Fraser, J. Penwanlen, J, Lcmridgp, P.- Georpp, J. DuncaD, A. R. Pediie.—The arpiintment was held over till the arrival of the engineer. The Board then went into the consideratibn of the amended bye-laws, as recommended by the committee set up some time since.—The amended bye-laws were adopted. Mr. Hignett reported that he had found out some particulars of the tablet procured tome years ago to commemorate the laying of the foundation stone of the Breakwater. The tablet was at the sheds, and after some alteration* should be put in pnsiticn in a spo 1 . which he indicated. —The suggestion was adopted. The Board adjourned at a quarter to nine o'clock.