HARBOUR BOARD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9030, 12 March 1891, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD.

The Harbor Board met on Wednesday, j Preient : — Messrs King (chairman), Coridll Shuttteworth, Connett, Smith, Kyugdon, and Bowloy. Chairman. — Mr Corkill was voted to Hie chair in the absence of Mr King, who was unavoidably absent till half-pvsl 11 o'clock. Stonecrushv. — A letter was received from the Stratford County Council asking for particulars of stonecrushers, which they understood the Board had for sale, as the Council wanted to purchase one.— rMr Sjiitu objected to the sale of any plant, as there weio people always looking out for plant like this, and private tiade was therefore interfered with. Besides he considered that the plant would be needed yet for the further extension of the harbor works. — Mr Kyngdon also objected to the saleofi plant as it would bo needed. — The acting Chairman said that the feeling of the Board had always boon against the sale ot harbor plant. — Mr Smith moved, and Mr Kyngdon seconded, in effect, that the Stratford County Council be notified that the Board had no stonecrusher for sale. This was carried. Charges on goods. — A letter was received from the Chamber of Commerce pointing out that goods from the breakwater wore charged by ship's measurement, whereas from Waitara goods were charged by weight. Tho Chamber impressed on the Board the necessity of getting the goods from the breakwater charged by weight as done in all other places. — Mr Smith said that he had a promise from the Railway Commissioners to visit here in connection with the proposed extension of the railway station, and other matters, and then this subject of charges on goods could be brought before them. — Tho acting Chairman said that it was rather blind of the Commssioners not to have secured some of the Kawau Pah sections, in view of: railway station extension. — Mr Smith said he would certainly have objected to the Board disposing of the lease 3if he had been in the Board as they would be required for this purpose. — Mr Bewley said it appeared to him that the Board seemed to have been in a hurry to get rid of these leases in view of the probable rise in value. — Mr Connett said that the members of the Board cou'd not be blamed as the sections were lying unproductive, and tbo Board were paying rates on them. — The matter of weight charge it was then decided to bring before the Commissioners when they visited here. Finance. — Mr Smith stated that the Premier had asked him to get a fiuancial statement of the Board from the chairman (Mr King). He wanted to know if Mr King would supply the statement. — Mr King replied that he had no objection at all. — Mi 1 Rennell, the secretary, stated that ho could supply Mr Smith with any figures he desired. — Mr Smith replied that he would avail himself of the offer. Coupons. — A notification from the Bank of New Zealand was read which gave particulars o£ moneys remitted to London on account of arrears of interest on November last coupons. Foreman's Report. — The foreman reported that on March 3rd he went along the wall and noticed there had been no further damage done to the breakwater by the gales that were experienced recently. — The foreman further reported under date, March 9th tnat for the month of February the dredger had lifted and taken to sea 1275 cubic yards of sand. He had not repaired the damage in the breakwater yet as the weather had been unfavorable. Information for Harbor Committee. — A letter was received from the House of Representatives, under date March 2nd, in which the following information was sought for by instructions of the Chairman of the New Plymouth Harbor Board Committee appointed last session :—": — " The New Plymouth Harbor Board are requested to prepare for the information of the New Plymouth Harbor Board Committee, at the commencement of next session 'full particulars of the various endowments (other than the landed endowments now being administered by the General Government) showing the revenue, actual or available, and probable in the future, with particulars of any leases granted and information as to the compliance or otherwise with the terms of any such leases, also a short statement of the past financial operations and present position of the Board financially.' " — Tho information will be sent. Statements of Accounts. — The Marine Department acknowleged receipt of statements of Board's accounts for tho years ended December 31st 1890 and 1891. Leave. — Mr G. W. Gane wrote asking for leave from the Board meeting as he was laid up. — Leave was granted him. Coal and Iron Syndicate. — Mr Smith wanted some information in respect to the lease of the beach by the English Syndicate who had it for petroleum and iron smelting purposes. He wanted to know if the Syndicate intended to work the iron, because, if not, there was a proposed Coal and Iron Company with a capital of £300,000 who would do so. If this Company could not get this beach then they would have to get a lease of some other part of the sea coast. He had no desire to throw any obstacle in the way of the borers for petroleum, as ho * desired to see it a success, but he wanted to know if they intended to work the ironsand deposits. — Mr King stated that he took it that the ironsand deposits were to bo worked by petroleum, so that the latter would have to be got first. — Mr Smith said that such a thing was against metallurgical science. — Mr Corkill pointed out the conditions of the syndicate's lease, which showed that the syndicate at present had no further obligations to fulfil. — Mr Connect said it was presumption for anyone sitting at the Board to say that the ironsand could not be smelted by petroleum fuel, as he believed that Mr Edison, the inventor, considered ho could find a projess like this to work the sand. There were older aud wiser heads in other parts of the world than were sitting at the Board, and it appeared to him tliat for anyone to say they could not . use petroleum as a fuel to smelt the ironsand would speak with a presumption which only exposed his ignorance. — Mr Smith said that ho had read all scientific books and papers on this question, and never had he seen it asserted that gaseous fuel produced from peti oleum could bo used in smelting iron in a blastfurnace. It could be used for generating steam, ami in other processes in the iron trade. —Mr Connett still took the view that it mis^lit be done by outsiders — Mr Kyngdon also took the same view, and the discussion then ceased. Inquisition for Stores. — A requisition for Btores was sont in by tho foreman, and agreed to. Accounts. — The ordinary accounts wero passed for payment.