Thames Harbor Board.

Thames Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 8323, 14 April 1896, Page 2

Thames Harbor Board.

The adjourned monthly mesttog of the Harb/r'3oard, which lapsed for want of a qucrum on Tuesday last, was held at the Borough Chambers at noon to-lay. Present—Messrs Wood (Chairman), Gillespie, McDonnell, Deeble, and Scott.

The miuutes were read and confirmed, and the usual correspondence dealt with.

Kopu.—A petition was read from a cumber of residents of Kopu piajiog that a goods shed be erected on the wharf there. The petition was held over pending the report of the Harbor Master.

Bakricading ihb Whabf.—The Harbormaster reported :—

" Nothing more than ordinary routine work wa3 done during March except giving the pilot boat a thorough overhaul. I hare done nothing yet towardsiflans and specifications for repairs to Kopu Wharf, as I hare had no time. At last meeting I urged that a barrier should be erected across the wharf at excursion times to prevent crowding about the wharf on the arrival or departure of steamers on such occasions. I ca/i only again urge some step in that direction, as it is simply impossible to do anything or get near the vessels, as people crowd down in numbers and block up every approach. I am advocating this as a preventative against accident not to, interfere with anyone's right to come upon the wharf, for though a crowd may be ever so dense yet no complaint can; be 'made as to behaviour, as the utmost good nature so far has prevailed; but that an accident may happen is likely, and with such a crowd it would hardly be confined to one alone. Monday (Eastsr Monday) was an instance in point, and on the return journey Monday night, a dark night, matters were much worse, and it was simply a miracle that people could be so densely packed at the wharf end without an accident, and but for the efforts of Sergeant Gillies and his men an accident was unavoidable."

—Mr Gilleapie was id favor: of a barricade being erected, Jiut «rg«d that there was no immediate necessity, at the excursion season was over. Ha questioned whether it could be done without special Act of Parliament.— Mr McDonnell thought the" only thing the Board could do would be to levy a toll of 6d or 18 at the Customshouse.— Mr Scott opposed any toll being levied, as uDJust.—The matter was referred to the General Purposes Committee. France.—The report of the Finance Committee was received and adopted, and the accounts passed for payment.