A meeting of the Limerick Harbour Board was held on Monday, chaired by the Mayor, and attended by several members, including Alderman M. Joyce, Alderman John O’Brien, and Messrs. James Quin, John F. Power, James H. Roche, and John Boyd, the Secretary. Mr Moroney, the Engineer, and Mr Fitzmmurice, the Harbour Master, were also present.
The meeting commenced with a letter from Mr C. Downey of the Limerick Steamship Company, addressing the proposed lighting of the docks by electricity. The matter was referred to Mr Moroney for further evaluation.
The Secretary then read a letter from the Marine Department in London, which stated that service performed within partially smooth water limits, such as piloting on the River Shannon, could not be accepted as qualifying service for a master’s home trade certificate. The letter was marked as read and inserted into the minutes.
Alderman Joyce raised the issue of the St. Michael’s Rowing Club, which had rented a piece of ground from the Board. He expressed concerns about the club’s financial limitations and their inability to purchase the necessary stones for constructing a wall and filling it up inside. He proposed that any stones collected from the foul ground below Spulaoe’s Tower should be provided for the club’s use. The board, upon the suggestion of Mr Power and with the seconding of Mr Quin, made an order to that effect.
Mr Michael Gough, the contractor responsible for building a house for the Harbour Master, wrote a letter expressing concerns about the quality of bricks supplied by him. Mr Gough requested the matter to be brought before the board. Mr Moroney clarified that the specification required pressed brick, while Mr Gough wished to supply cheaper perforated brick. An order was made to adhere to the specification.
A letter from the Waterford Steamship Company requesting the board to arrange an examination for John Mahony for a pilot’s license for their river passage steamers was referred to the Pilots’ Committee.
Mr Moroney provided an update on his efforts to identify the party responsible for depositing refuse near Mrs. McGrath’s public house in Arthur’s Quay. Despite further complaints, including one from Mr McGuire about the unsanitary conditions, Mr Moroney reported that he was unable to obtain the name of the party involved. Mr Power suggested that the City Authority should take action to address this nuisance. The Secretary mentioned that he had already written to Mr Peacocke on the matter, but Mr Peacocke claimed he could do nothing. The issue was once again referred to the City Surveyor.
Mr Moroney also reported on the removal of a wreck at Mathew Bridge. He informed the board that the wreck had been cleared and was now situated behind the Customhouse. A watchman was assigned to guard the wreck until further instructions were received. Mr Power humorously suggested that they inform Mr Twyford that his wreck was located where the Russian fleet was at the bottom of the river, and that they should send Mr Twyford the bill for the expenses incurred in removing the wreck. The board approved an order reflecting Mr Power’s suggestion.
During the meeting, Mr Power moved a notice of motion to rescind the resolutions that changed the day and hour of the meetings and to revert to holding meetings at the previous time of 12 o’clock on Mondays. He argued that Thursday meetings had proven inconvenient and that it was difficult to secure a quorum. Alderman Joyce seconded the motion. However, Mr Roche and Mr Quin, who were in favor of the changed schedule, jokingly left the room, interrupting Mr Power’s speech. Further discussions and business were conducted before the board adjourned.
Limerick Echo – Tuesday 23 August 1904
