HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 544, 13 December 1890, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

An ordinary meeting of the above took place on Thursday afternoon. Present: Messrs Townley (in the chair), DeLautonr, Johnston, Chriep. Shelton, Arthur, and Chambers. Some discussion took place in regard to the anchorage of the ship Waitangi, and the question of compulsory pilotage was again raised, but the subject was dropped without anything definite being done. A letter from received in reference to the Waitangi was considered tn be undignified and triflmy considering the responsibility which rested on the Board when their officers reported that a vessel was not anchored in a safe position. The Napier Harbor Board wrote stating that 604 yards of jute sacking (£25 worth) had been damaged and was unfit for use; the damage, it was urged, must have been caused either on the passage or before the material left Gisborne, and a reduction or replacement was asked fur. The Secretary said he had heard nothing about the damage until two months after the bagging had been sent, when they had opened the hales. He had seen lhe stuff in Napier and there was no doubt it was damaged, but on returning he had got two remaining bales opened and they were perfectly good, so that it could hardly have been damaged here, Mr Johnston said the Captain of the Opotiki had informed him that he had got permission from the Napier Board to open the bales so as to get them out of the vessel. Mr DeLautour thought they need not attach any importance to bow the bagging was used so long as it was shipped in good order. It was decided to leave the matter over until the Captain of lhe Opotiki could be communicated with. Mr James Knox asked whether the endowment was still open to selectors, and requesting the terms at which be could get 2000 to 3000 acres for grazing purposes. It wss resolved to inform Mr Knox that the Mock was still open for selection, and could be obtained at not less than 2Ji. It was also decided to advertise that the land was still open for selection. Mr O'Neill wrote supporting Mr Murphy's application in regard to a line of road through the endowment. Mr Hindmarsh asked to have his spent in a different direction, but 'hat did not affect the other matter. The County Council declioed te take any responsibility io regard to the control of the road, but would allow their Engineer to supervise the work. Mr Chambers said the County Council could not deny their duty to contribute towards a road formed in an outlying district, The Chairman suggested that when the Board paid the rates (next year it would be £34, due at the end of March) they should ask them to take the matter of roads into consideration. Mr Murphy suggested that it tha Board so desired ha would pay sight years' rear in advance, and they could capitalise it. It was considered this could not de done.

The Svorotary said, seeing that the training wall was getting damaged, he had written to Mr O'Connor, Marine Engineer, asking whether the training wall would be uillieeil in his scheme. Ha replied in the negative. It was decided to again write to the Department in regard to the report that has been so long waited for. Mr DeLautour said it seemed clear, from the reply, that Mr O'Connor had made up his mind, and that the delay in regard to the report was a departmental matter. The Harbormaster reported that during the past 201 days there were 172 on which veaaela could have safely worked alongside tbs breakwater.

It being necessary to elect a Chairman until the end of the term, Captain Chrisp said, now that Mr Townley had been reelected Mayor, and would therefore continue to be a member of the Board, ha weald propose that gentleman aa chairman. Mr Arthur seconded, and Mr DeLautour supported the motion. He was glad that Mr Townley had at last consented to oome forward for the office of Mayor, and S(id he considered that gentleman's buaineos oipicity specially qualified him for attention to the duties of Chairman of the Board, which had now chiefly to deal with matters of detail The motion was carried unanimously. In returning thanks Mr Townley said he should give his best attention to all matters of detail, but expressed the hope that Mr O'Connor's report would recommend some way in which the works might be turned to profitable account.

It was decided to hold the Board's future meetings on Tuesday evenings, at 7 80. Messrs Chambers and Johnston opposed the motion on account of the long distances country members had to travel, but it was pointed out that the afternoon meetings had failed to secure a better attendance.

The following accounts were passed for payment Legal expenses £2B 3., water supply £lO 10s, Street and Co. £1 0s 6d, Gas Company £2O 5s 3d, wages account £2 19s. A. Thomson £l7 14s 101, Wharfinger £l6 13s 44, Secretary £8 6s 3d, sundries 18s, petty cash £2 8s 7d, Borough Couuoil £l7 10s, J. Thompson £5 16s Id.