HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 422, 27 February 1890, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

An ordinary meeting of the above was held on Tuesday evening. Present i—The Chairman (Mr Bennett), and Messrs Sievwright, Shelton, Arthur, Chambers, DeLautour, Clark, and Dr Pollen. It being necessary to elect a Chairman for the ensuing year Mr Sievwright proposed that Mr Bennett bo again elected. He did not think it necessary to make any remarks, as Mr Bennett was so well known. Mr Arthur seconded. He considered they could not get a better Chairman than Mr Bennett.

The motion was carried unanimously. On the reading of the minute with regard to the claim for Raniera’s share in the block yard, Mr Chambers said he understood that when the B ard paid £3OO to Captain Tucker for the blockyard the whole thing had been cleared off. The Chairman said all the members had understood that.

The Marine Department wrote stating that there was no authority to expend more than £l5O for the survey of the bay and hoping that the Board would make sudi arrangements so that the Parliamentary grant should not be exceeded.

The Chairman said the Engineer had stated the survey could not be completed under £l5OO.

Mr Arthur suggested a reply be given that a survey would be made such as would be satisfactory for the £l5O. Mr Shelton considered they should writs stating that the Board had agreed to allow the stnff to give their services and understood that beyond that the work would be done at the public expense. The Engineer road a letter he had sent to a simil”- effect.

M bhelton said the Government asemad to ignore that. In reply to Mr Clark tbe Engineer said the whole cost so far would be under £5O.

Mr Chambers aaid unfortunately Poverty Bay Boomed to be the prey of the Governments, who always expected the Bay to pay for what the Government should undertake. All the Board had agreed to do was to give the services ot the Engineer and Harbormaster and not to spend a single penny of the ratepayers’ money. Mr Sievwright moved that a rpplji be sent stating that the Board had only agreed to find labor and official assistance, Mr Shelton did not think that tbe Board should pay tor tbe boat’s crew. On tbe letter being read Mr Sia-gvarigHt said it was clear the Board had undertaken to provide a boat’s crew. Mr Shelton thought there should not be another penny spent an the work by the Board, Dr Pollen also took the view that the Board only assisted with tbe services of its paid officers. Mr dark would like to take the same view, bat the letters seemed to stipulate itje contrary. Mr Sievwright moved that s reply be sent stating distinctly that the Board agreed to co-operate with the Government by providing Engineer and labor free during the expenditure of £l5O and nothing more; further, it is not in a position financially to make a survey of the bay, nor should it be asked to do so.

Mr Arthur seconded. Mr Shelton moved aean amendment—That a reply be eent stating that the Board had agreed to cooperate with the Government in the expenditure of £l5O by giving tbe services of the Engineer and but is not in a posjtiou to spend any money of its own on the survey ; the Board has no boat's crew in its service; the services of the Engineer and Harbormaster can be given free. Mr Chambers seconded. Mr Sievwright considered the Board had made an agreement to which they should adhere.

Mr Clark said it seemed to him tbe Board had simply given itself away, and had undertaken to pay for everything except the Snark, In reply to Mr Arthur the Engineer said the boat labor would probably coat 16a tor each day the Snark went out, Mr Arthur reckoned that the Board would thus have to pay £5O. The amendment was carried by four to three. Mr Deliautonr, arriving at the conclusion of the discussion, did not vote. The following accounts were passed for payment:—lnterest on loan £5,106 9s sd, Wilsons and Horton £4 2a6d, J Drummond £3 3s, Secretary £8 6a fid. Harbormaster £l6 13's id. Wharfinger £l6 13a 41, Weighbridge keeper £l, Gi-bornx Standard £3 19a, Union Company £l2 10s, Wingate, Burns and Co. £lB 13s 6d, Brown and Smaill £42 Is, Gas Company 18s 6d, Olsen and Co. £l4, D. McLeod £3, J. Hicks £3 12s, P. McLoughlin £2B 6* sd, wages account £31415s lOd.