HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 479, 12 July 1890, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

Ax ordinary meeting of the above was held on Thursday afternoon. Present: The Chairman (Mr Bennett) and Messrs Johnston, Clark, Townley, Sievwright, and Shelton. In the outward correspondence there was a letter to Government enclosing a copy of Harbor Bill, but though b telegram in connection with it had been sent to Mr Arthur, there had been no answer received.—The Chairman said he had received b private letter from Mr Arthur, expressing a fear that there was no chance of getting the Harbor Bill passed this session. The lav/ officers reported againet the proposed suspension of the 1 per cent, sinking fund, and Government proposed that the rate should be increased. The- had communicated with the Agentwho had replied that he could not bondholders. He (Chairman) had telegraphed back that the bondholders could easily be found on application at the London office of the Union Bank, but Government had refused to trouble further in the matter. He pointed out that the colonial Government itself had been granted by the Imperial Government a suspension of sinking fund, on a loan that would be more than provided for when the time of payment arrived—an exactly parallel case with the Board’s, only that the letter’s loan was net such a large one.— Mr Sievwright thought it might be wiser just to withdraw the Bill. Every time they eent a Bill they were rewarded with a smack of some

kind. —Mr Shelton agreed with that view. The Board had given every possible explanalion and done all it could in the matter, and now they should just let things take their course.—Mr Sievwright said of course they must take into consideration the possibility of a receiver being appointed.—Mr Townley agreed with the Chairman, that the vote on the £40.000 pledged them to pay the interest on it.—Mr Claik said the general run of ratepayers never thought they were voting for increased rates. —Mr Johnston said rather than increase the rate there was a large revenue to be got at the wharves. From £2OO to £3OO could be made out of the large shed for storage purposes.—Mr Clark considered that if they could be shown any means cf deriving revenue in this way they should avail themselves of it.— The Chairman thought Mr Johnston’s figures were far too sanguine.—Mr Johnstone did not think so. Some of the wharfages might be increased, and they should have compulsory pilotage. If they had to raise this money it was by such means they should get it.—Mr Townley believed the Act empowered them now to strike the required rate, and quoted c lauses 4 and 6 in support of this view. He considered if tfapy did not get the remission—which they were justified in asking for, and f' hould receive—thsy must put the Act into force. They did not want any increased rates if they could avoid it—if they could > get sufficient revenue without rates. Bather J than have any more impracticable Acts ? Xthey should do nothing further that way, ■ and make use of what they had.—The Chairman said Mr Townley’s view was op posed to Mr DeLautour’s. Supposing the thing were contested? —Mr Townley had not mentioned that gentleman’s name, nor would that necessarily apply. Legal opinion could be got on the special point, about which he thought there could be no doubt.—Mr Clark was certain 4 if they tried to impose the higher rate they would meet with great diffi eulties, and should not attempt anything of the kind unless they were very clear about it —Mr Sievwright agreed that there was ample power to increase the rate, but they might try to get some relief by the Bill.—Mr Shelton said even if they struck the rate, the interest could not be met in time.—Mr Townley said the point raised as to the equalisation of the district was one which they would gladly agree to, but their agreeing to it would not get them out of the difficulty.—Mr Shelton said if the Bill before Parliament were passed, and the remission granted, they would be in the position that no higher rate would be required, and it would not matter about the f special district question.—Mr Townley said that if they made default it, in his opinion, would simply mean that a receiver would be put in, and the rate would be increased, and they would have to pay the piper for it.— Mr Shelton did not think they could be put in any worse position. No matter what they did now, they could not meet the next instalment of interest.—Mr Sievwright thought they should oppose any addition as to rating power—the Bill should simply be pres?;,i through as put in. They could not h® worse position.—Messrs Shelton the Chairman thought they ■hou instruct Mr Arthur to try and get the Bill threugh as it is; otherwise they must make default. Mr Clark said he considered the passive attitude was far the Ta best.—lt was decided on the motion of Mr r Clark, seconded by Mr Shelton, that Mr Arthur be instructed to try and get the Bill passed in toto •> otherwise withdraw it.—-Mr Johnston dissented. In regard to the suggestion re buying up the debentures with the £CO,OOO, the Chairman eaid he would very much like to • do it himself, but they could hardly move in the matter. Communications were received from the County Council and Whataupoko Road Board, the former approving of and the latter objecting to the leasing of the foreshore above the bridges. The opinion of Messrs Finn and I Chriap, solicitors, was read, advising the Board not to sign the lease to Messrs Common, Shelton and Co., as drawn up.—The Chairman said the lease had not been signed, on account of the informality in advertising. There was, he supposed, no uze of opening up the general question, and he would simply move that that the Secretary advertise the thing in proper form.—Mr Clark seconded.— Mr Sievwright moved that before anything further was done the Board should deal with the report of the committee first appointed to go into the whole matter.—The Chairman considered the appointment of the more recent committee was an amendment on the first report.—Mr Clark said they had already agreed to the lease, and should get the simple informality rectified.—Mr Sievwright was anxions ihat the lease should be ratified, but there would probably be strong opposition to it when it was sene to the Marine Department and the Beard ought to be prepaxed with a proper scheme; otherwise the Department would probably ref use to sanction the lease.— The Chairman said the reason, he thought, why the first report bad not been adopted was because the Board did not wish to go to any great expense in surveying the foreshore, etc., without any chance cf adequate return.— Mr Clark said they had not wanted to go to any expense, because they aniicipated no rush for them.—Mr Sievwright thought the expense Awould not be great, and Mr Johnston considered the foreshore should be submitted to auction in a proper manner.—Mr Clark contended they were bound to try and get the lease ratified.—Mr Sievwright said he wanted to have the whole thing done in a proper manner.— The Chairman considered Mr Sievwright should not now take exception to what had been dona,—Mr Clark ridiculed the idea *? W expense in the matter.— for the protection Umv cut MaaU formal Hope to

I Ret the lease which they agreed to carried into I effect. The only way tbt-y could be released I from the agreement would be by the Govern- I ment refusing its permission to the lease.— I Mr Sievwright put hi? suggestion in the form 1 of an amendment, which was seconded by Mxw Johnston.—The Chairman ruled that Mrl Shelton could vote on the amendment, but! not on the resolution.—Messrs Clark andl Shelton contended that the proposed amend J ment was an entirely dist ; nct matter.— Odl the amendment being put Mr Shelton decliner™ to vote on it. There were for—Messrs Siev-® wright and Johnston ; against—Messrs Clark® Townley, and the Chairman. The resolution® was then put and lost: For—The Chairman® am) Mr Clark; against—Messrs Townley,® Seivwright, and Johnston. The latter repeated® that he objected to this special lease, though I not to the principle. The Chairman said ■ rejecting the motion meant involving the I Board in a lawsuit. The Harbormaster made a general report, I in which he notified that the beacon carried I , away by Messrs Kennedy and Evan’s vessel H had not been replaced*. He said he had I been iufo.nned that the rocks of which the I bearings had been given by Mr Thomson B had not been correctly placed. A warningß should be conveyed that floating timber down B the river was dangerous to shipping. The® poundings showed the river to be in a bad I condition. In regard to the beacon it was B decided to replace it and make a claim ouß Messrs Kennedy and Evans for the cost. Itß was resolved that the Harbormaster be® instructed to try and ascertain the exact B bearing of the rocks. Concerning floating B wood down the river members had no desire B interfere with an individual earning a B livelihood, so long as no inconvenience was B

caused to anyone. Dr Pollen, a Government nominee, wrote tendering his resignation as a member of the I Board— -The letter had been acknowledged I and Government communicated with. The Wharfinger made a general report,! recommending one or two little repairs, and I urging that the sand pump be attended to as I soon as possible —Mr Townley said the thing I was going to destruction and ought to be] attended to.—Toe Chairman and Mr Townley ‘ were authorised to take the ueecssary steps to protect the property. At the suggestion of Mr Shelton it was resolved that a committee meeting of the whole Board be held every Thursday afternoon at 2, during the session of Parliament, three members to form a quorum. The following accounts were passed :—A. Muir £6 4s 3d, T. Adams £3 4s, J. Somervell £3los, Stationery £llos, Wilsons and Horton £5, Petty Cash £5, Sundry accounts £1 12s 3i.