HARBOUR BOARD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3882, 4 November 1881, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD.

The Harbour Board met on Wednesday. Present: Messrs. T. King (chairman), Carrington, Dingle, Kelly, McLauchlan, Bundle, and Yorke.

Sinking Fund. — The Chairman stated that the balance to the credit of the Sinking Fund Commissioners on the Ist instant, after paying £2000 sinking fund and £6000 interest, was £30,837 7s. The sinking fund for reduction of bonds consists of £2000 of Board's bonds and balance at Bank of £2128 Us. Id.

Superintendent's Report. — The following report by the Superintendent of Works was read : — I have the honor to report on the work in hand during the past four weeks as follows : — Breakwater : 349 cubic yards rubble hearting have been placed in the breakwater. Blocks have been made containing 518 cubic yards of concrete, and 35 blocks have been stacked. All the timber moulds that were in hand at the date of last report are completed. The sea wall to block yard is now completed as far as it is at present intended to carry ir, but it will require to be protected at its base when convenient. The cutting for roal to Fishing Rock is completed, and the permanent way laid. The Titan road is laid to end of breakwater, and the Titan would have been removed out of its present position but that I find a brake is wauting for its side lifting gear ; this is being made on the works. On account of the limited space for blockmaking in the block-yard, I find that one mixer constantly working is sufficient to give a supply of concrete for block-making. The late prevailing southerly winds have caused great quantities of sand to accumulate on the tramways : its removal has hindered the work and has been expensive. Several accidents having occurred to the men during the past fortnight, I would suggest to tha Board that some provision be made to relieve them. I may state that in both Harbour Boards in Scotlaud under which I was employed, the rule with them was to allow full pay to men during the time they were laid up through accidents on the works, although I know of other Harbour Boards who allowed them only half-pay in the case of single men. I have to

ask the Board's authority to purchase 25 casks of Roman cement.

Cement.— Mr. Kelly moved, "That the Superintendent of Works be authorised to purchase 25 casks of Roman cement." Mr. Kuv'DLE seconded the motion, which was carried .

Shifting Sand — A letter was read from the Town Clerk requesting permission to place some earth on Mount McCormick reserve to stop a gap through which sand finds its way into Molesworth-street.— The application was granted.

Accident Fund. — Some discussion arose in connection with the establishment of an accident fund for the workmen engaged at the Harbour Works.— The Secretary stated that none of the Harbour Boards in the Colony had established au accident fund, but the men under their employ had doae so themselvs. Some time ago a fund was in existence here, which was created by the contribution of Is. per week from each man on the works. That had, however, been discontinued, as the men did not wish to contribute. — Mr. Kelly thought that if a man was injured while in the service of the Board, and had not received his injuries through his own carelessness, he should receive half-pay for some time at least.— Mr. Yorkb said he had looked up the law on the subject the last time the matter was brought up, and he found that the Board was liable for injuries resulting to workmen through defective machinery, &c — The Secretary reported that there were three cases of accidents under treatment at the present time.— After further discussion, Mr. Kelly moved, and Mr. Carbington seconded, " That until some proper regulation be made by the Board in cases of accident, that each case be judged ] on its merits, the application of the workman i injured to come through the officer in charge of the werks."— Carried.— The question of the Board defraying the cost of medical attendance in case of an accident at the works wa3 also considered, and it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Kelly, "That the Superintendent of Works or his representative be authorised to send for a doctor in the event of an accident occurring at the works." Secretaryship.— The Chirman stated that the Finance Committee recommended to the Board that Mr. Baachope should be appointed Secretary. The reasons for so doing were that Mr. Bauchope was thoroughly efficient, and had the advantage of being conversant with all the important business which the Board had transacted. Speaking as Chairman of the Board, he might state that he would prefer that the Board should have an experienced Secretary like Mr. Bauchope instead of one who was totally unacquainted with the business of the Board. Mr. Bauchope had rendered valnable assistance when the Harbour Works were in danger of being stopped, and he (the Chairman) kad appointed Mr. Bauchope to act temporarily as Secretary until the Board had decided the matter. —Mr. Yorke moved, " That Mr. Bauchope's provisional appointment be made permanent, the engagement to be terminated by a month's notice from either side."— Mr. Kelly thought it was unfortunate that the applications for the office of Secretary should have been asked for and then ignored, but after the explanation given to him in Committee he was ia favour of Mr. Bauchope being appointed. — The motion was then put and carried. Overtime. — Mr. Yorke drew the attention of the Board to the unusual amount of overtime for which some of the men were allowed in the pay-sheet. Some men had aade as much as fifteen days in a week. He objected to the system as being a pernicious one.— An animated discussion ensued upon the question, the majority of the members agreeing that the system of overtime should be discontinued as much as possible. — The matter was ultimately referred to the Chairman.

Making Bags.— Mr. Yorke also referred to the fact that the bags for depositing the concrete in situ were made by hand labour. He understood that Mr. Rees kad purchased sewing machines for making bacrs. — Mr. CarRINGTON stated that the sewing machines were found to be useless, and the men engaged sewing the bags were thoroughly experienced men.

Contract Work. — Mr. Rundle received permission to hold over the notice of motion standing in his name, re letting the works by contract, until the next meeting of the Board. Notice of Motion. — Mr. Yorke gave notice of motion to the effect that the meetings of the Board be held monthly. Accounts.— Accounts were passed for naymeut amounting to £815 12s. 9d. On the motion of Mr. Kelly, the Board then resolved itself into Committee, with the view of considering the present condition of the works, and the advisability of making alterations in the organisation. This concluded the business.