WANGANUI HARBOUR BOARD.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12386, 6 December 1909, Page 3

WANGANUI HARBOUR BOARD.

Tho usual monthly meeting of the Wanganm Harbour Board was held on. Friday evening, when there were present Messrs J. B. Murray (chairman) W. G. Bassett, A. G. * Bignell, W. i Ritchie, N. Meuli, D. Mason, T. B. i Williams and W. F. Dickey (Collector •of Customs. An apology 'for absence I was received from Mr Mackay. MINUTES.—The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed FINANCE.—The Bank-book showed —Loan account cr £32,500, general account dr £22,805 Os 2d, current account cr £1034 19s lOd. Accounts to the value of £2,022 7s 4d were passed for payment.

SEDGEBROOK RESERVE. —Mr Howorth reported on the drainage matter at Sedgebrook complained of by Mr B. Willis, and advised that two short drains be opened un—The Secretary .stated that under the conditions of the leases the tenants should keep the drains clear. It was decided to notify tho tenants to do so.

BEACH SECTIONS—Mr D. Jones, m replying to the request of a committee, said he was willing to surrender tiie lease of his section at the Castlceiiff Beach conditionally that he was allowed to retain -| acre with house at a proportional rental to that which ho is paying for th e whole and £250 for the remainder surrendered. All expenses to be borne'by the Board. The offer, Mr Jones stated, was made very low ia the interests of the public, to wljom the land would make a fine recreation ground.—Considerable discussion took place on the subject. Mr Bassett strongly recommended the Board to acquire the land, and lie moved that Mr Jones be offered £200 and that he be allowed *to retain the 4,-acre at a rental of 50s. Mr Meulie supported Mr Bassett, but Messrs Bignell, Williams and Ritchie and the Chairman thought the offer was too high. An amendment by Mr Bignell, "that' an offer of £150. and that the rent for the section be £2, was carried.

GRANT.—The Pohaiigina School Committee wrotai asking the Board for a grant of £10 to complete the amount required for erecting a Technical School —Tho Board decided that it could not legally devote any funds to that purpose.

BY-LAWS.-The Hon J. A. Millar acknowledged receipt of by-laws passed by the Board.—Received.

EMPLOYMENT—Mr D. W. Edward at Auckland applied for employment by tho Board. Application from Captain H. H. Cossentme, asking thq Board to keep his name before it in case of employment was also received.—The applications were referred to the Engineer-

WHARF LABOURERS' SHED—The Secretary of the Wanganm Waterside Workers' Union requested the Board to supply a table, stationary seats, a notice case, a cupboard and a notice "For Wharf Labourers Only" for the wharf labourers' shed.—The application was granted.

PILOT'S REPORT.—The Pilot's report stated that the channel over the bar was still in the same position— S.N. half S. The bar was sounded

on the loth and 12ft 6in was obtained. Rough weather r.r;vented further soundings beinir taken during tl\e month. On December Ist soundings were taken from ths Togo and equal to 13ft Gin at high-water spring tides was obtained, and 10ft Gin at neaps. During the latter half of the month there had been very litt'e sea on the bar and tho wind for the most part had been blowing fairi" down the channel and to these facts the pilot attributed the increase in the depth. The river is very satisfactory. 95 vessels crossed during the month 30 of which during the night. A number of vessels were detained in port during the month. The '-<ilct reported that t'-ere was no vacancy on the staff for Mr C. B. Norton, who had applied. COMMITTEE REPORT.—The Works Committee reported that various^ leases had been renewed, the rents being increased. The Committee had waited on Mi- D. Jones and the Chairman reported on what had taken place. CASTLECLIFF ROADS.—Messrs Cresswell, Glenn and Swan waited on the Board regarding improvements which the Castle-cliff Town Board was making. Thes3 improvements were •naip.ly rojuling, which intersected some c-i the Board'n section?. As there would bo greatly enhanced in value, the depu-tntio-n lequested some assistance from the Board. The streets proposed to ha metalled w<3re< Abbot*-; Street, Watt Street Extension 'about 14 chains)- ana Poison Street.—The Board considered that p, definite proposal as to what was to bo done and the cost should be submitted. The Works Committee would then discuss the matter.

PUTIKI ROAD.—The Chairman reported having," in company with the solicitor and the Engineer, been over the district. He. said there was but a short piece of road for which compensation wonld have to*be given Full information was being obtained by the solicitors.

LEASES. —Several formal resolutions relating to the extension of leases were carried.

CASTLECLIFF—The Engineer was instructed to prepare a topographical map of tho drift sand area.