HARBOUR BOARD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 10657, 4 July 1896, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD.

A special meeting of the Harbor Board was held on Friday afternoon. Present ; Messrs Maxwell (chairman), Bluck, Bellringer, McLean, Ward, Sarten, and Ralfe. The engineer's report, which was published in the Herald on Friday, was considered . The matters referred to in the report were discussed with the engineer, Mr Marchant. On the question of sand accumulation, iVIr Marchant stated that the shoaling of the water near the wharf was due to the shifting of the sand. He pointed out that the water at the end of the mole was now deep compared to what it used to be, and tbe sand had evidently shifted inwards. Ho said that Captain Holford maintained that the sand came from the north, but this he totally disagreed with, and showed on a tracing of the harbor that . such a shifting of sand, as contended by Captain Holford, was impossible. The sand was shifted by the wave action. — Mr Ward also spoke against the theory 6f the sand coming from the northward. — Mr McLean moved the adaption of the report with the exception of the part referring to the timber for the wharf.— Mr Bluck seconded. —Mr Belh-irrger said he was glad to Bee the recommendation of the engineer for the protection of plant, and now that a start was to be made he hoped all the plant in future would be properly protected when not in use. He deplored the amount of plant that had been allowed to go to waste, and said what they saw that morning plainly showed the amount of stuff that had been allowed to waste in the past. -The report was then adopted, a clause being added that the cylinders of the crane be attended to. The Chairman said that Mr Marchant's term would -.expire in August, and suggested that Mr Marchant should ba asked to postpone his next visit till Mr Hooker's rubble contract was finished. The sand pump by that time would be in full working order. -Mr Marchant said he had arranged with the foreman to inform him aa to the, working of the sand- pump etc. If anything went wrong he would have to come up, out if all went well he could postpone his visit till the rubble contract was finished.— Mr Bellringer : How much did the sand pump cost ?— Mr Marchant said the contract price was £812, but there was a contingency fund created, and as this was not probably entrenched on thecost would be under £800.— Mr Bellringer thought they should accept Mr Marchant's offer to postpone his visit.— Mr Marchant tbanked the Board, stating that he took an interest in the -works from a professional standpoint, and therefore would not like to lose touch with them. It was not a question of pounds, shillings and pence with him in taking an interest in the works, and he would therefore be willing to come up from time to time if his services were required on arrangement with the Board. —Mr Bellringer moved, That Mr Marchant's offer to postpone his next visit till the termination of Mr Hooker's contract, unless circumstances arise whioh will require his services, be accepted ; and that for any subsequent visits, if required, Mr Marchant be paid £35 per visit.— Carried. — The Chairman then pointed out the good that had been done during the eleven months Mr Marchant had had charge of the works. The work had been carried out expeditiously and well, and at the end of the twelve months the Board would not have spent more than £200 or £300 over the sum which they had previously paid annually ; and yet large protective work and repairs had been effected duri«g the time. — Further discussion ensued, and the subject dropped. Consideration of the report of tho Committee to revise the tariff by-lows was postponed till next meeting, and in the meantime each member will be supplied with a copy of the report. The question of metalling Egmontstreet was discussed. —Mr Bellringer said that it was a necessary work, and advocated the Board should do their share. — Mr Bluck moved, that Mr Bellrioger wait on the Borough Council to make arrangements for the formation -and metalling of the Board's portion. - Carried. Mr Ralfe said in view of the revision of the •ariff by-laws, he would suggest that the Board again ask the Government to lower the railway rates at the wharf .—Mr Bellringer asked for a return of revenue from imports for the last 4 years. He said that taking the shilling additional charges into account, the import trade of the port was no better now than it was four years ago, and this was due to prohibitive charges.- The Chairman quoted the returns since 1890, and said taking the Is additional charge into account the import trade at the breakwater was stationery. He contrasted this with the large increase in imports at Patea.— Mr Ralfe finally moved, that tbe Government be asked to reduce the railway charges at least 6d per ton if the Board make a reduction in their charges. — Carried. When the accounts came up the engineer explained one for £14 to Mr J. F. Hooker, contractor for the rubble protection work. He said that when Hooker took over the Board's plant from Cameron, the previous contractor, there were several drills, which were claimed by Cameron as his property, and Hooker had to pay Cameron for them, It appeared that as tha Harbor Board drills wore out Cameron purchased others to replace them. Although Hooker had no legal claim against tho Board, as a matter of equity he thought the Board should allow him something, and £14 was a fair thing. — Mr McLean opposed any concession. He said that Hooker took the plant over with his eyes open, and if he made a mistake then he should put up with it. It was like giving Hooker a present of the money.- Mr Bellringer said he did not hold with the principle of handing over the Board's property, but as the Board had created the system he thought Hooker should not suffer by it. He moved that the £14 be allowed. — Mr Bluck seconded. Tho motion was put and carried, Messrs McLean and Ralfe, voting against it. The Board adjourned.