HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 296, 9 May 1889, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

Au ordinary meeting of the above was held on Tuesday evening. Present: The Chairman and Messrs Chambers, Bennett, Shelton, Sievwright, Matthewson, Clark, and Townley. Christopher Grey wrote complaining that single men were engaged on the works in preference to steady married men who had previously applied, and who had to pay a large share of the taxes. Mr Bennett thought the matter should be left to the Engineer. Mr Sievwright considered it was simply a Suestioo of fitness of applicants, whether ley were single or married. The Chairman said the writer’s argument was sound; all things being equal as to fitness, those who bad to pay the taxes should have the preference. It was resolved that the propriety, where all things were equal, of giving married men the preference, be suggested to the Engineer. Messrs McEwan a-.d Co. wrote, conceding to the Board a sum charged by the Bank, for the establishment of a credit.

It was decided that £1 per day, clear of Other expenses, be the charge for the use of the sand pump in the work of floating the Clansman (stranded on the beach). TAUWKAKBPABAE BLOCK. The Committee reported aa to the advertisement they had drafted, and the papers in which it was proposed to insert it. The Chairman thought it would be well to reconsider the matter, so that they could let the land in say half a dozen blocks—by patting it at 22,000 acres they shnt out all buyers except those who could buy to that extent, while with smaller blocks it would be within the reach of both classes of buyers. Mr Matthewson said the beat portions would then ba taken and the rest left. Mr Clark said the matter had been discussed at a full meeting of the Board, and should now be gone on with aa decided. Mr Sievwright said ho had a notice of motion to give in the matter. The Chairmen said he was only ascertaining whether it would be possible to obtain the unanimous content of the meeting. Messrs Bennett and Clark said they would be against it. Mr Townley had previously opposed the the cutting up of the block into only two sections; they were going to advertise the sale now and they ahould be decided upon the form before doing so, There was no reason Why the form should not ba reconsidered it they thought advisable; they should try and give general satisfaction, and be thought thia could be belter done by cutting up the block into six sections. As the members were nut unanimous nothing further could bs done than go through the proposed advertisement, and make alterations suggested, coming within the terms of Haoluiion.

SABBOaMASTCB’S BBPOBT, Captain Bennett reported I have to report that during the month the (teamen Maitai and Australia came alongside the breakwater. The captain of the latter naked me had I a spring r I explained that I had not, and that the vessel came alongside at her own risk. I should not advise the Board to supply springs until inch time as we can moor safely, the ropes being always obtainable in the Colony. I have endeavored to get quotations for chain for the red bnoy, and enclose some of those obtained. Information given me from Capt. Davidson, Marine Surveyor, of Napier, is to the effect that the size of chain necessary is difficult to obtain I should suggest that tenders be called for 30] fathoms If or Sin chain. The fence in front of the cottage has been completed, and one extra gate post put in, for which Mr Sheet has charged 10s. This work Was necessary, as the post removed was rotten. The arrivals for the month Were 21, and the departures 21. Captain Bonnett said he thought that if they got the springs they would charge for mooring vessels and they would then take the .risk. Messrs Chambers and Sievwright did not see how it could increase the risk by affording the vessels better facilities. Mr Townley said they intended to use the work as soon aa possible, and they ahould get the mooring springs which they would have to sooner or later.

It was decided to procure 30 fathoms of r2in chain from the contractors, Messrs Wingate, Barns and Co, engineer's report. Mr Thomson reported aa follows: — The breakwater is now finished tor a length of 721 feet, and the foundation for a new section is now on hand. On 18th April the Union Company's steamer Maitai, and on the 36th the same Company's Australia, drawing from 9ft to 9tt 6in, came alongside the break water shortly after half tide, with cement for the harbor works. These are the first two steamers we had. They remained three hours. It will be necessary to provide coir hawsers to moor vessels using the pier. This should be dona at onoe aa another cargo of cement is shortly due. , . . Three sheets of drawings and report, all in duplicate, have been prepared, and soundings taken for the Marine Department, asking permission to continue the pier in a straight line for 1000 ft further, ft will be necessary to have an official letter from the Board to send to Wellington with them. The specification for letting the breakwater by contract is not finished yet. It will take another fortnight at least to complete it and prepare drawings, provided I can get constantly at work on it. The first part, containing twenty pagas, relating to the general construction is, however, ready ’ for inspection of the Board. Mr McLeod's account for stone delivered on 13th March might be paid. It would not interfere with the compensation for railway lines. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Townley, seconded by Mr Sievwright, that the Engineer be authorised to get the hawsers, the dissentients being Messrs Shelton and Matthewson. Mr Shelton expressed his regret that the specifications for contract work had not been prepared ; there hsd been a mouth for their preparation, and it was a pity they were not V, ready. " The Engineer said that he had to prepare plans for the Marine Department. Mr Chambers expressed his regret at their going to the expense oi preparing the specifications, etc. Mr Townley suggested that a month be allowed for the preparation. Mr Chambers : Make it six months. Mr Sievwright said they could do nothing (n the matter until it came up again. accounts. The following accounts wore passed for payment• Weighbridge Keeper. £1; W. O. Skeet, £4 ) Borough Council, £lO ; Court fees, £2O; Cement account. £l99s 2d; Wingate Burna and Co., £l2l9elld; P. McLoughlin, £32 Ils 4d; G. Humphreys, £7 7s; Gas Company, £3 3s; J. Mullane, £4 9s lOd; Brown and Bmaill, £29 • H. Partington, 13a 6d; Wages account, £2OB 8s 2d. Total i £349 16s lid. In reply to Mr Shelton the Engineer said they were supplying a small quantity of shingle to the Borough Council at 4d a yard, about the pries which it cost the Beard. Notices or Monox.

Mr Chambers, to hero an amending Bill prepared to restore tb« rating powers to that given by the Act of 1884, and also «o empower further expenditure; by Mr Sievwright, to rescind resolution re Tauwhareparae block, and endeavor to get proclaimed under the Public Bodies Powers Act, also to lot the block In six lota of about 7000 aores.