HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 279, 28 March 1889, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

An ordinary meeting of the above was held on Tuesday night. Present: The Chairman, Messrs Chambers, Bennett, Shelton, Matthewson, Clark, Townley, Sievwright, and Murphy. BLOCKS : A REQUEST : DEAD ANIMALS. In reply to a question asked at the previous meeting the Engineer wiote tha there wei»460 blocks in stock. The Timaru Ha«h< B hi ; ushtd tn-co-operation of the Boar s in endeavoring to have Harbor Boards placed on a better footing with regard to the responsibility of the Boards for the act* ’ f their Harhnuniasrpr-. Received.

Mr Faram. Borougl In>pe<t<»r, w»<> , Stating that the contractor for burying <i nd animals declined to bury animals found on the Waikanae beach, at the same rate as he did it for the Borough. The contra* tor offered to do so for 10a per bead for horses and 2s for sheep, which the Inspector considered a reasonable offer.—The terms were agreed to. BATKP, Mr DeLautour, :be Board's solicitor, wrote: — I find that the arrears of rates for 1887 are now reduced to about £350. Of this amount JBI9O is sufficiently certain not to require any summary process for its recovery. Judgments have been obtained for the balance, those persons being sued who either refused to pay, or who would give the Treasurer no satisfactory assurance of payment, and sufficient excuse for their delay. Of the amounts so protected by judgments, £57 10s 7d is temporarily lost by bankruptcy. The bankrupt estates are those of Mr J. G. Kinross, Mr J. Bailey and Mr T. Gregson. In other cases judgment sum mouses have been taken out and immediate orders obtained, but I have to acknowledge that as yet I have not placed any judgment debtor under arrest. In some other cases the inability to pay is so obvious that no steps have been taken. In others, from firna to time, either to my office, or to your own hands, small payments are made. On the whole very little of this money will be lost. Bates follow the land, and as a rule are easily collected by change of occupancy. In regard to the several cases represented as dependent upon the case of McKenrie v. Harbor Board which went into the Supreme Court. All persons (with the exception of Mr McKenzie) who were in a position to pay have done so, and I have men no reason to commence litigation which the Board was urged to force on when no substantial payments were being withheld except Mr McKenzie’s. The rates for 1888 unpaid amount to .£3,946 17s 4d, representing both instalments due respectively on the 30th June and the 31st December. I think these should now be collected in the Court in the ordinary way. If the Board agrees with me in this opinion, be so good as to see that a resolution is passed authorising you, in terms of section 26 of the Bates Act, to collectthe rate for 1888. This must

be under seal. Mr McKenzie will be sued for all arrears in one action. I see no reason for the Board being in any hurry to commence actions which, if defended, are so defended in order to set up vexatious and wholly unnecessary litigation. I shall, unless otherwise instructed, treat Mr McKenzie in the same manner as any other ratepayer in arrears. As I have stated there appears to be no one worth suing owing any portion of the 1877 rate, so that Mr McKenzies case is in ne sense a test case,—Yours, Ac.. 0. A. DeLautour. Mr Clark asked whether there had not been particular instructions given to Mr DeLautour With regard to McKenzie’s case ? On the minutes being looked up it was found that only general instructions had been given. Mr Clark thought it was unfair to sue for the present instalment of rates and not take any notice of the case which han been left as a test.

Mr Matthewson said it was very easv to make the test —the gauntlet had 'hrown down and they should have the matter settled.

Mr Chambers moved that the Secretary be instructed to collect the rates for the ensuing year. Mr Sievwright seconded. He did not see why they should enter upon litigation f r the purpose of making “ tests ” for which there might be no necessity. Mr Bennett took it that it was not right to be suing persons for the 1888 rate when some had not been made pay for the 1887. Mr Clark said Mr McKenzie was a substantial man who wished to be sued, so that his case might be made a test one. The ball ought to be opened by suing that person, and be moved an amendment to the effect that Mr McKenzie be sued forthwith for the balance Of the 1887 rates and for the rates of 1888. The Chairman pointed out that it would be Ifteessary in any case to give the Secretary power to collect the rates. Both propositions were then put in the form of different motions, and were carried unanimously. Mr Clark expressed disappointment that Mr McKenzie had not previously been sued for the balance of the rates due so as to have the matter tested before the other cases came on at all.

Mr Chambers said there was no uncertainty about the matter, but their not having sued gave an impression that it paid best not to meet the rates when they became due. Mr Bennett said that was not the case io tar as Mr McKenzie was concerned. Mr Chambers said he had been running hie bead against a atone wall all the time. engwieb’s bbpobt. Mr Thomson reported We have finished the foundation of sections On hand, which when completed will extend pier to 682 feet. It is necesoary to prepare plans for the Marine Department, to obtain permission to continue the work, as pur present permit only extends to 800 feet. Four ground wheels are required for the Hercules. We have been obliged to put on two since beginning work. Black birch fenders are required for the pier from 400 foot out. At a former meeting it was decided to use white pine for the inner end. On Saturday the 23rd we received 400 casks of cement from Mr Duthie, Wellington. The heavy southerly weather the week before last trashed the sand spit np on the beach as I indicated it would do in my last report, and the channel is good. The Waiapu loaded barley at the breakwater on 22nd inst. On the Slat the diver got 6 feet at low water 100 feet square off the pier at 000 feet out. There was a depth of 11 feet 6 inches at the pier end at same time to the sand. This morning ths contractor bad only three trucks of stone ready: consequently we had to stop blockmaking, PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE. The Pablic Works Committee reported:— Mr McLeod's claim for compensation.—The Committee recommend that a small commit* tee be appointed to go into the matter of McLeod's claim, and if considered necessary to obtain expert evidence and report to the Board. Engineer’s report—Extension of works—-Recommend that plans be prepared for sanction of Marine Department. Wheels for Hercules—Recommend that they be Ordered from Messrs McEwen and Co.

Both reports were adopted, |t was rt»eolved, upon rhe motion nf Mr Bennett, that Messrs Chambers. Tn v : P y a . i Matthewson be a Committee with -rd to McLeod’s contract. Mr Chambers propn e-l th co fir in , ; >n of of the Engineer’s recommnn lation wi’h regard to the use of black birch for sheathing the piles from 400 feet out. Mr Sievwright seconded. Mr Matthewson thought the black birch fenders would not be required. Mr Chambers said Mr Matthewson was giving his opinion in direct opposition to that of the Engineer. Mr Matthewson said be certainly did so, as no vessel would lie alongside within the first 800 feet of the work. Ha suggested that the Opinion of the Harbormaster be asked on the matter. Mr Sievwright objected to any such thing being done as attempting to get one officer to put his opinion against that of another. The Chairman did not see why they should not ask the Harbormaster’s opinion. Mr Chambers said it was not a fair way to ***** iSSm onght 10 ** tbli *°

consider himself justified in mooring vessels within the space 400 feet from the beginning of the concrete work,

The Harbormaster would rather not answer the question.

The Chairman said he should do so. The Harbormaster at first said he would not for more than one tide, and then he said it depended on the draught of the vessel. He had taken the Waiapu alongside the other day, but theie was no? sufficient dipih at low water.

Mr Townley thought they should agree with the suggestion of the Engineer. Mr Matthewson moved as an amendment that fenders be not used within 300 feet of the bn f th. work.

O Io ki gup the previous n->olu ion f he Boa'd it appeared that it stipulated whi e pine should be used until further instructions from the Board. Mr Chambers then moved that from 400 feet out black birch be used. Mr Sievwright seconded. Mr Shelton moved as an amendment : “ That from 400 to 800 feet of the work, white pine be used this being carried. THE ENGINEER’S POSITION.

Mr Sievwright said it would be very un fortunate if they allowed matters with regard to the Engineer to drift into the course they appeared to be doing. If the first Committee were not going to bring up a further report he would move that a Committee consisting of Messrs Chambers, Townley, Matthewson, and the Chairman be appointed to bring up a report on the subject. He regretted that the Board should have to go to Court over a matter of this nature

Mr Chambers expressed his dissent at the motion giving the Engineer notice of dismissal being brought up and carried without notice of it having first been given, especially when two members were absent. The action of the Board he considered utterly wrong, it was neither fair to the Board or the ratepayers and was a deliberate insult to Mr Thomson. He was afraid the action of the Board would land them in a very serious position, fie would go further than Mr Sievwright and move that the previous resolution be rescinded. He would not move for any more Committees, as they only did mischief. There was no reason given and no necessity for the action they had taken. They should do the right thing and reinstate Mr Thomson in his position. He move-1 that the resolution to discharge Mr Thomson be rescinded.

Mr Shelton would second the motion. It was always contemplated that some arrangement would become to with Mr Thomson, He did not see why some satisfactory agreement should not be come to. Mr Matthewson declined to act on the Committee suggested —it was distinctly understood when the motion was passed that the Board would be glad to confer with Mr Thomson.

Mr Sievwright said it was not the Engineer’s place to meet the Board—they had given him notice of dismissal without any reason, and had not even the grace to give him as a reason that a reduction of his salary was proposed. Mr Clark said he would have done the same thing as the Engineer under similar circumstances.

Mr Sievwright thought they ought to try and come to some agreement with Mr Thomson.

Mr Bennett said the Committee had made a report on the mutter and the Board had come to a decision upon it. In the discussion upon the matter it was plainly stated that the object was simply to get the Engineer’s position defined. There was not even a suggestion as to a reduction of salary. What they wanted to obviate was having an officer who considered his position a permanency, and when asked a question told them to go to a warm place, and that they could not do anything with him. The Chnirman: Was such unparliamentary language use 1 ? Mr Bennett said the Engineer had done worse than use it.

Mr Townley asked what they could do under the proposal of Mr Sievwright—a bald notice ha i been given to the Engineer to quit. He would decline to acton a Committee. Mr Matthewson also declined, the Chair man objected to Committees, and Mr Chambers had not the time.

Mr Sievwright said it did not follow because the Engineer had expressed a certain view that he was not open to some agreement. The Chairman said the Engineer had been unapproachable.

After further discussion, Mr Sievwright’s motion was withdrawn, as members would not act on the Committee, and Mr Chambers gave notice to move that the resolution giving the Engineer notice of dismissal be rescinded.

TAUWHAREPARAE BLOCK. Sir G. Whitmore wrote, stating that he did not know of the conditions under which the Board proposed to offer the land for sale, and he would for the present leave his offer as a tender on the understanding that later on he could amend it or withdraw it. Mr DeLautour wrote in connection with the same matter :— I think there is no doubt as to the proper course to be taken in dealing with any portion of the Board’s endowments Section 14 of the Act 1884 gives the Board large power as to the terms and conditions it may offer or impose to or upon its tennants but it in no sense overrules the 138th section of the Har. hours Act 1877 as to the mode of offering land under lease to the pablic. These directions are mandatory and the Board must I think comply with them, Yours <fcc O, A. DeLauTOUR. A motion by Mr Sievwright renewed the old debate on the Tauwhareparae Block. After a long discussion an amendment by Mr Clark was carried to the effect that the block be let in two section! of about 22,000 acres each, for thirty years, Messrs Bennett, Chambers, and the mover to be a committee to draw up terms and conditions. Mr Sievwright strongly protested against what he considered a sacrifice of the Board's property, and Mr Townlev thought the land should be cut up in more than two sections, THE CONTRACT PROPOSAL. At Mr Bennett’s suggestion it was agreed that his motion stand over until next meeting, owing to the lateness of the hour at which it would have to be brought on that night.

PAYMENTS. Borough Council £7 10 0 Secretary .. 8 6 8 Wharfinger 16 13 4 Harbor Master .. 16 18 4 Weighbridge keeper 1 0 0 Petty cash 10 0 0 A, R. Muir .. Standard Company 8 7 6 2 1 0 J. Nicholas 7 9 10 J. A. Harding .. 1 7 3 Kennedy and Evans 35 1 8 J. Duthie 440 0 0 Wingate, Burns and Co. 16 15 4 H. Partington .. 0 16 3 H. E. Johnston 40 0 0 J. Mullane 4 13 5 P. McLoughlin .. 21 3 6 D. A. McLeod .. 88 12 3 Wages account.. 233 8 11 £910 0 3