HARBOR BOARD.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8341, 2 December 1893, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

Tho usual monthly meeting of the Board was held yosterday (Friday) afternoon when there wore preseDt — Messrs T. Thatoher (chair), P. B. Jackson, T. Wixoey, J. TJ^ Sommerville, J. Stevsneon, and A. Hatriok.^ Mr Sommerville having been elected chairman of the Wanganui County Council vice Mr Higgle took hii seat at the_ Board's table in that, capacity, resigning his seat as an elective member for the Wanganni County. Tho vacancy thus caus3d will be duly notified. Tho minutes of the previous meeting having been raad and confirmed the b»nk book showing a credit balance of £1576 7s 93, was laid on the table.

Accounts amounting to £1076 9jßl wer& passed for payment — iocluding^£9so interest on Government and other loan?.

In reference to the application of the Assistant Pilot for an increase of pay the Pilot wrote saying he had no recommendation to make either way, but if the Board could see its way to make an increase he had no doubt it would be acceptable. Mr Sommerville said that the Pilot'e answer was beside tho point. It vas for him to say whether the man was a good oue, and i£ good he should receive a rite as other men. He -would 1.-'ove that an increase of fid per day be granted. After a little discussion the motion was put; and carried.

The Secretary said on Oofcober he wrote re consulting Engineer, and received an official reply after last meeting, stating thafc tho Government was prepsred to send Mr Reynolds to Wanganui, providing thefBoard pay his salary and the wages of men undor him on bis own work daring his absence. Mr Willis teleeraphed, asking that Mr Reynolds be sent on termi of Premier's promise as conditions imposed in memo lasb sent were prohibitory. The Hon. Mr Ward, in reply to thia, said the matter would have to be reforred to the Cabinet, and that was how the matter now stood. The Chairman, said the terms imposed by the Secretary of tho Marino Department were prohibitory, as the Board was called od, not only to pay his salary but the loss sustained by m«a under him during his absence. Mr Reynolds wou d be required at least two spring tides and not as the Government gay 5 or t> days • at a cost of £20. There were other things hanging on this.and under the circumstances he (Mr Thatcher), could not see his,iray to engaging Mr Reynolds, and therqfofMk got Mr Willis to send a telegram pointing out the difference of terms offered. After discussion Mr Soinmerville moved that Mr Willis be requested to telegraph to the Minister of Marine, asking him to bring the matter undor the consideration of the Cabinet at tho earliest opportunity re Mr Reynolds' engagement, and asking that he be sent on the original ternu at a cost not exceeding £20. Mr Jackson seconded tho motion, which was carried. JSe c ittle wharf. — A letter was read from. Mr Lawson, of the Railway Department, in reference to the subsidence of the stone pitching .at the Cattle Wharf, pointing ont that the removal of, the stone in front of the Wharf was responsible for this subsidence, and the Department was of opinion that tha Harbour Board was liable for it. He hoped tho Board would work in auoh a mannor »« not to cause nny further subsidence, ani to extend the wharf so as throw the berth further out in tho stream. Mr Jackson was of opinion that tbia was tho only thing to be done. It was resolved after discussion that a Committoe consisting of the Chairman, Messrs Stevenson and Ha f rick h3 appointod to wait on tho proper railwajk^authoritv and endeavour to arrange nbou.s an extension of the Cattle Wharf, as suggested by Mi- Laweon's letter. Tho Pilot's report was read and rccoived. The ohannol over the bar, he said, was the samo as last month, Fiftj -three vessels had crossed tho bar, 17 of which crossed in the night. The Stormbird had stuck in tho channel for two lidos.

The Foreman of Works' report on work dono during the month ■was read. In deal' ing with this report the cjueatioa ot the advisability of dispensing with the Board's staff was considered. The Chairman said it was a question as to whether the staff should be retained to repair Hassall's dam. Mr Sommorvitle said ho was in tayour of doing work of any magnitude by contract. The Ohairman advised the Board to put this work in tho hands of practical, competent men, such as two of the staff were, and have the work done efficiently. Mr Sommorville said the staff must be retained in any case till the engineer came, and if they could be well employed till than, so fa» and good. Mr Jackson said there was nothing to prevent the Board oalling for tendors for any work which Mr Reynolds may advise, but'he was not in favor of taking £. any steps with regard to the staff pending tho engineer's report. Mr Wixeey moved in that direction, namely, That the staff bn kept on in the meantime, the Foreman. h.%v ing instructions to discharge men under him during the month ir thoy w*&" l sqs< wquirod. Seconded by Mr Stovenaon and carried. This concluded tho business and tha mooting thon adjourned.