GREY HARBOR BOARD.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 31 January 1901, Page 2

GREY HARBOR BOARD.

The regular meeting of the Greymouth Harbor Board was held last night. Present: —Messrs Kettle, (chairman), Hlicedy, Kerr, Petrie, Campbell and Guinness. The Finance Committee passed accounts amounting to £‘s2B Bis 2d. The receipts since last meeting were £2,6(17 10s lOd and the credit balance at general account in bank £2,8-16 9s 2d. EKGINIiEE's eefoet.

The Engineer reported as follows: Good progress has been made in altering the grade on railway between Colxlen Quarry and the bridge. The rails and points and crossings formerly in use by the Point Elizabeth Railway Coy., are being lifted and relaid at the expense of the Company, A survey of this railway lines on the town side of the bridge has been made so that an improved approach may he made.

The foundry Coy., has got the rails from the Railway Department to make the diamond crossing and we hope to have it by the beginning of the week. The Boards locomotive now at Stillwater will be brought down to the Railway workshops this week for examinato see if it is worth repairing. As instructed by the Board I saw the District Railway Engineer in connection with the removal of the big crane to the Cohdeu Quarry, He is unable to undertake the work. The Foundry was fo give me a price for the work to-night but it has not come to hand yet, The 5 ton crane requires to ho taken over as soon as the large crane is dismantled. I have not made enquiries yet about a second large crane as the possibility of using the steam derrick now in the Quarry on this side, is under consideration.

I have an offer for Mr M’-Kay's locomotive, engine shed and trucks which I enclose. The prices are reasonable. The locomotive was examined some time ago, and was in good order, it has done little work since. Wo will require to order two dozen steel axles for the stone wage ;is as (ho large stones arc very severe on them. A windmill on the town side of the river is wanted, and piping to lake the water across the bridge for the engines. I enclose an offer for birch sleepers at” a reasonable rate. Wo can take 500 and four sots of crossing sleepers —the latter will be supplied at the same rate per foot as the ordinary sleepers. Ironbark timber.— We require the following piles : —SO sixty feet long, 12 forty, 12 forty-five, 12 fifty for the two breakwaters, and 110 thirty-six foots for sheet-piling the lower portion of the wharf. If the Board decides on a new bridge at the lagoon, 52 thirty-feet piles will also be wanted. I have spent a considerable amount of lime in connection with getting the best method of dealing with the lagoon bridge and have had an estimate made. I find I can get a six chain curve in instead of the present five-chain, and make the bridge suitable for cart traffic for £4BO. The estimates for repairing the bridge and keeping everything as at present was £206, so that this is only £IBO additional.

I may point out that the estimate of £7BB for what is called iho straight bridge did not include the price of the •stringers, it being thought at the time that they wSukl not be wanted for breakwater staging; neither did it include abou||iool) yards of earthwork, etc., which Wigs it up to nearly £llOO. I wish agafSto point out that i( is impossible to cifljry on the work without proper offices and furniture for same. We also require drawing and other materials.

The Foundry offered to take over 20ton crane and place it in repair in Cohden quarry for £loo.—Offer accepted. The question of removing large derrick was held over for further enquiry. Mr M‘Kay offered, to sell locomotive, sheds and trucks us requested for £712. Mr Thompson reported the price to lie a reasonable one. The oiler was accepted. Ecsolved that Government be applied to for 24: steel axles for trucks, and price of same.

Uosolvcd that windmill and pipes bo purchased for supply of water to locomotives in Cohdcn quarry. Messrs Baxter Brothers offered black birch sleepers at 2s Gd. The engineer was empowered to procure 500. Unsolved that tenders he called for iron bark piles mpnred. Lcsolved on the motion of Mr Guinness seconded by Mr Shecdy that the bridge over lagoon be widened to eleven feet, repaired and made available for dray 1 rafile, and that work be put in hand at once and pushed on with all speed, Unsolved that Mr Thompson engage Mr dices to do necessary surveying at £5 5s per week and (hat up to present lie receive £0 for past services.

harbor master's report. The Harbour master reported (bo bar in good order, but owing to dry weather only 18 feet was on Die bar.’ He forwarded a letter from Captain of Ifaupiri complaining of conduct ol luggage porters which was characterised as 'disgraceful, their language being at times very had. Resolved that Captain Connor take the necessary action to stop such conduct,

The Harbor Master reported 48 steamers and 2 sailing vessels arriving in November and 47 steamers and 3 sailers departed. In December the arrivals were 40 and 5, and departures 40 and 3.

From Government stating that an dditional lamp would, be erected opicsitc Tanmi Street. 1

ilAEiidU T. COUNCIL BREEZE. Prom .Borough Council asking if the Board could see its way to let the Council remain for say six months. Mr Thompson said it was imperative that he should have the offices. There Was no place to work 4>t his plans. Mr Campbell thought that a temporary arrangement could be come to by giving up, the Committee room and he moved in that direction. Mr Kerr said the Council had agreed to go out when required. He didn’t see that they should study the Borough. They could go back to their own premises or get others. He knew they could get other and better premises if they liked. In reply to the .Chairman* Mr Kerr .said he Would not support Mr Campbell’s resolution. If they gave up the committee room, it would inconvenience them, and he was not going to have the Board inconvenienced for the sake of (he Borough.

Mr Petrie recognised that (he Council was bound to comply with the Board’s request, but be thought that a.littlc forbearance might be exercised and a mutual agreement come to.

Mr Sheedy was not altogether surprised at Mr Kerr’s antagonism to the Couucil. Both interests were identical, and they should endeavour to work harmoniously. He thought there would be no difficulty in getting along together for a month or two. Mr Kerr denied that he had any antagonism to the Borough. Mr Sheedy was a councillor now, but he didn’t know how long that would last. He; the speaker, might have as much to say on that matter as Mr Sheedy. The Chairman seconded Mr Campbell’s resolution, urging mutual concessions, The resolution was tben carried. From the Borough Council stating that the Board could have the use of the Bridge for £l7 per month. Messrs Guinness and Kerr thought the charge was exorbitant; Messrs Sheedy and Petrie pointed out that the cost of the structure was £22,000 and the rent was certainly very small for such an expenditure.

On the motion of Mr Guinness it was resolved that the Chairman, M-ssrs Kerr and Guinness wait upon the Council in regard to the matter; aiiscELtiASEors. A petition from the residents of Mawhera Quay relative to platform was, on tile motion of Mr Kerr, referred to the Railway Department, the Chairman to endeavor to get the matter adjusted. Resolved on the motion of Mr Petrie that Saturday be observed as a close day of mourning, all the Board’s employees to be paid for day. Mr, Guinness moved that the Board take immediate steps to proceed with the prospecting bore for coal at Dobson, and that before the work be started the Premier be asked if he would grant a £ for £ subsidy as promised ; Mr Petrie seconded.—Carried.

Mr Campbell moved that Government be requested to make no transfer of the Coal Creek leases till all arrears of rents had been paid; Mr Shccdy seconded.— Curried.