HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 314, 20 June 1889, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

Tn ordinary meeting of the above took place on Tuesday night, Present: The Chairman, srd Messrs Siavwriqht, Bennett, Shelton, Townley, Chamber*, Clark, Murphy, and Matthewson. In reply to Mr Shelton the Engineer repeated what he had eaid at the previous meeting that approximately the soundings would be the same as shown on the chart taken in 1885 and 1889, when the work had gone out 1210 feet and the money had been BP*nt ZMBNDING BILL. Mr Graham, M.H.R., and Mr DaLautour, the Board’s solicitor, were present to offer any information in regard to the proposed amending Bill. Mr DeLautour said he had in the purport of his Bill carried ont bis instructions, but they had to consider whether it would be wise to leave it that way. The opposition might say they had carried out the additional expenditure Of £40,000, and saddled themselves with the responsibility ; he advised if they could not exactly get what they want they should be prepared to take the next best. It would not be fair to expect Mr Graham to take the Bill in that form, and then if he finds he cannot carry out his instructions to have to communicate with the Board in a hurried way by telegraph—they should furnish him with some alternative. He then explained the provisions of the Bill. Mr Graham was of opinion from his experience, of the two previous sessions, that it would be very difficult to get anything done. It was not likely that Parliament, tfter the great trouble that had been gone to last session, would revert what they had done. He thought they should simply try and make the 1885 Act workable; if there was any opposition to the Bill, be feared under the circumstances attending local Bills, that it would be thrown out altogether. All he believed the Board could get would be to make clear what bad been done—he was perfectly positive the Bill would be thrown out if presented in the form proposed by the Board, He would go further than Mr DeLautour and advise that the extreme proposal be thrown out then. The only seals. tanoe be thought could be looked for was to join in the general attempt that would be made to get the Government to take over these harbors. Mr Chamber* said he thought ii the rating clause were put properly there would be sufficient honorable men in the House to fee the Injustice of it, He thought it was opposed to the common law of England and was ultra viHI. Parliament had stepped in and decreased the value of the property in one portion of the district by altering the burden that was seeep'.ed by all alike. He thought they might get a Committee appointed to enquire into the matter, as Mr Graham had stated that the measure had been hastily passed. It might be well to have an alternative proposal to prevent total rejection, Mr Sievwright proposed that the Chairman, Mr Chambers, and the mover be a Committee to confer with the member as to the clauses of the Bill. Mt Townley would second that, but they wanted relief, and he thought they were justified in asking straight out for what they wanted. They were told by Mr Graham that the Committee had gone exhaustively into the thing, but he did not think such a lot of trash had ever been talked as was the ease before that Committee, It was said the ratepayers were against the work, but that bad bean proved to be wrong. He thought if the member stated their position he would get every assistance. They could not possibly be worse off than now, and he urged that the Bill be presented In its present form. Mr Bennett agreed it would be much better it they could not get the Bill passed as at present, to be prepared with an alternative. They had accepted the burden of expending the further sum of money, and this would be urged against them a* a weighty argument. Mr Matthewson was in favor of letting the bill go as it was. The motion was carried unanimously. GXNXBAL BUSINESS, In the outward correspondence, the Secretary informed the Government that the terms of office of Messrs Sievwright, Matthewson, and Murpby would expire shortly. Mr Lunn, secretary of the Gas Company, asked for permission to unload their shipments of coal at the breakwater, and give them every facility for doing so.—Deferred until next meeting. Mr McLoughlin offered to supply the Board with from 35 to 30 tons of coal, which he had left over from his contract, at same price as that of the tenders received that evening.— Offer accepted. The new engagement between the Engineer and the Board was read, being in accordance with the decision previously arrived at. The Chairman and Mr Townley were deputed to sign the agreement on behalf of the Board. REPORTS. The following report from the Engineer was read :— As reported at last meeting the pier is finished for 750 feet on top; since then the foundation for 30 feet have been laid. The tramway extension is finished and we are getting stone by the crane and some by drays. Six hardwood piles have been ordered for mooring pest*. The rails from the Government from Napier have been received—they are of very good quality. The wharf on town •ide of river has been repaired as directed. We have received 440 casks of cement during the fortnight and there is a third shipment injthe lighter. Tenders for coal will come in to-day, The Harbormaster asked in his report that accounts against his Department be submitted to him before payment.—Decided that this •hould be done, PAYMENTS. The following account* were passed for payment Trustee Eiperata, £4 10*; G. J. Winter, £5 ss; Weighbridge keeper, £1; Secretary, £8 6s 8d ; Harbormaster £l6 13s 4d; Wharfinger, £l6 13s 4d; A. B. Muir, £3 14s; H, M. Customs, £B2 2s 9d ; Public Work* Department. £7 Ils 10d; Wingate, Burns and Co, £l3 15s 8d; P, McLoughlin, £27 13s; Kennedy and Evans, £35 14s 64 ; 3. Mullans, £5 Is 4d; W. King, £2l 5< 6d • Brown and Smaill, £ll 16s Cd; Wages ■Mount, £958 6s Id ; Wharfages, £8 6s 8d -, D, McLeod, £lB 6s 6d. TENDERS JOB COAL. Kennedy and Evans tendered at 35s Gd for Greymonth screened nuts, but would not Undertake to supply it in the time specified. H. E. Johnston tendered at 36s Gd. Captain Tucker said he thought the preference ought to be given to H. E. Johnston. He did not think they should put one tender in competition with another that did not comply with the written specifications. Mr Bennett said time was the essence of the contract. Mr Johnston’s tender was accepted. An offer was received from Messrs Orr and Harding for a supply of 30 tons of coal at 39a. The offer was declined. The Engineer was instructed to make a report at next meeting on the advisableness or otherwise of the construction of a groin.