HARBOUR BOARD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8878, 11 September 1890, Page 3

HARBOUR BOARD.

The Harbor Board met on Wednesday. Present: —Messrs T. King (chairman), Shuttleworth, Paul, Connett, Kyngdon, and Corkill. Scrap Iron. —Mr F. Oldfield wrote stating he was willing to give 15s per ton for scrap iron lying at the works, the price to include wharfage and use of Board's plant in getting it together. It was stated that the foreman at the works was of opinion that certain scrap iron he would indicate should be sold, as it was useles-. —The Board decided to accept Mr Oldfield's offer. Hawea Wreck. —Mr Oldfield also wrote offering to smash the wreck of the s.s. Hawea up, for his own purposes, as he understood the parties interested had abandoned it, provided he could get the use of diving plant, and other plant of the Board. —The consideration of the same was held over till next meeting in order to obtain the Board's solicitor's opinion, as to certain legal points connected with the ownership of the wreck. The members were of opinion that it was a good offer to clear the wreck away, and if their solicitor's opinion was favorable they could decide the offer at once. Work at Breakwater. —The chairman stated that the Works Committee had visited the works on Monday, when the foreman told them that block making would be finished that day, and that more cement would be required for repairs to the mole. This cement had been ordered, and was expected by the Penguin on Thursday. Stone. —Mr Hankey, Resident Engineer of Railvays, wrote, asking the Board to quote pi.cc fpr 100 cubic yards of stone in pieces weighing half a ton to a ton. —Mr Corkjxl moved, "That the quarries are not in work, and the Board is unwilling to supply the stone." He said they would need the stone in the future.—Seconded by Mr Shuttleworth. —Mr Papl moved as an amendment, "That the Railway Department be supplied with the stone asked at 7s 6d per cubic yard, and that an intimation be given that the Board will not be prepared to sell any after that." He considered this was better meeting the Department. —Seconded by Mr Kyngdon. —The amendment was put, and lost, and the original motion was carried. Crown and Native Land Rates. —Mr Sperrey, Commissioner, wroie, " I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your demands for rates for the year t 1890-91, on lands rateable to the Crown and natives respectively, and I take this early opportunity to notify to the Board that I cannot entertain the claim." The Crown and Native Lands Rating Acts Repeal Act, 1888," being in force prevents me from certifying to any payments of rates beyond the year 1889 90. —The Secretary exp'ained that there had been a great deal of correspondence over the subject, tbe Board's full claim being £2,657. — A discussion ensued as to whether the Repeal Act, which came into force in 1890, affected them. —lt was finally decided to leave the matter to the Board's solicitor. Meeting Coupons. —The Chairman informed the meeting that he and the treasuier, Mr Shuttleworth, had remitted £1,800 to England to meet coupone. They did not know whether this money should go to meet balance due on last coupons, or whether it should be paid on account of the coupons coming due. They had wired to Mr Samuel for his opinion, and he wired a reply. —The Chairman stated that they had remitted the money in accordance with advice from their solicitor. —A resolution was then passed confirming the action of tbe Chairman and Treasurer. Foreman's Rtport. —The Foreman reported on the work , in hand during August. He said nine blocks had been made containing 137 cubic yards; and 42 blocks were in stock; and he asked for 50 casks more of cement, which the Board had ordered. He also stated that the dredger would be ready for work at the end of the present weeu. Hotel Siti. —The question of adopting a plan for a new site for the Moturoa Hotel was deferred. Ad-ountß. —The ordinary accounts were passed for payment. The Board adjourned. -