GREY HARBOR BOARD.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 21 February 1901, Page 4

GREY HARBOR BOARD.

The Harbor Board held its usual meeting last night. Present: Messrs Kettle (chairman), Kerr, Shcedy and Matheson. The Engineer’s report was read and adopted a's follows : “Regarding the coal boring —I telegraphed to the chairman of directors of the Kaitaugata Coal Company. He informs mo that they have a diamond drill, which might be obtained on the terms mentioned in his reply. ’ “ The Under-Secretary of Mines says the Government has no drill for going down the distance required. He advised me to apply to Mr Job Osborne as a man of experience. Mr Osborne says lie has suitable plant. He is prepared to hire it or take a contract. Mr Brett arranged to go with the chairman to see the site of the proposed bore this week.

“The acting 3). E. Railway Department has written stating that the workshops are to bo enlarged, and asking if the Board has any objection to removing certain sidings that are in the way. Unfortunately I have not had time to go fully into the matter yet. I may, however, state that if wo used the same lines from the Cobden bridge on this side of the river as formerly then the sidings in question can be done without. It may, however, be possible to make alterations and improvements such that they would not be required, “Cobden Bridge—-An estimate was made for the necessary repairs, amounting to £3OO. The kauri will have to be obtained in Auckland. We can go on with the repairs to the approach on the Groymouth side at will. “We are ready to go on with the repairs to the Lagoon Bridge as soon as the timber is delivered.

“ The Railway Department has commenced work removing the large crane from the wharf to the Greymouth quarry. “ The locomotive under repairs will be ready next week, and it is estimated that the one brought down from Stillwater pan be repaired tor about £IOO. “ The railway bridges on the north side of the river are being repaired, and good progress has been made with the construction of the stone wagons. The men are erecting stands for the watertanks at Cobden quarry.

“We require a man to look after quarry work at once. Mr Chapman has had long experience, and is a suitable man.

“The boundaries of the Board’s property at Cobden quarry require to bo set out. An authorised surveyor will be needed.

“ I wish to again point out that I cannot carry out the Board’s work without proper office accommodation. The amount of time wasted and uncertainty about plans and papers is very great.” From Secretary of Mines, Wellington, relative to boring for coal at Dobson. Mr Kettle moved that the matter be held over for consideration till next meeting, and that the engineer be instructed to make further enquiries Seconded by Mr Kerr and carried unanimously. In reference to the railway and diamond crossing at Cobden bridge it was resolved to leave the matter in the hands of the engineer.

In regard to the repairs to Cobden bridge it w-as resolved that the engineer be instructed to procure the necessary kauri and proceed with the work at once.

Mr Kettle moved.that the Timber Trading Coy., be informed that no timber had been received and that unless the contracts are adhered to. the penalties will be enforced.—Carried.

The engineer was instructed to have the engines repaired as speedily as possible.

Mr Shecdy expressed disapproval at the way the work was dragging. He thought more men should be employed. Mr Kettle spoke in similar terms. Mr Matheson objected to the Board taking good men already employed by the Borough. Chapman was employed at present with the Borough. He would move that applications be called for the position.

It was resolved to call for applications for the position of foreman at the quarry. The salary to be 11/- per diem.

Mr Kettle moved that Mr Thompson he instructed to employ Mr Young to do the necessary surveying.—Carried.

Mr Kettle brought up the matter of the Borough Council offices. Mr Sheedy intimated that the Council were making arrangements to move on March Ist.

Mr Kerr said that Councillors ought not to occupy seats on the Harbor Board. It led to complications and was a monopoly. The Board had given a large sum to the Borough over Cobden bridge which was not right. Mr Sheedy had never found any clashing before and the present incident was nothing. He did’nt know what Mr Kerr’s motive was in being so bostild to the Borough and determined to get the Council out of the building, but he could tell him that in past years the Board had squandered its money. The chief expenditure on Cobden bridge was not for the benefit of the Board, but for th e Board and the contractors.

Mr Kerr warmly replied that he did’nt care for what Mr Sheedy said. He meant what he had said.

Mr Slieedy said there had not been any complications; neither need there be; the interest were identical. Mr Matheson said it looked very bad for Mr Kerr to make such remarks. What right, upon such ground, had Mr Kerr, a Legislative Councillor, and absent lor months, to occupy seats on various local bodies. If there was a monopoly at all, it was Mr Kerr who was the monopolist, occupying positions for months which he could not fill. The breeze then subsided. The Harbor Master’s report was road as follows: — “ I have the honor to inform you that the bar of this port has continued in good condition during the past fortnight. The average depth on the bar has been 21 feet 3 inches and in the river 18 feet 3 inches. “ The tug Westland’s machinery and boilers has been inspected and necessary repairs ordered by the Inspector are being effected. «X forward an application from Mr Collins about some necessary repairs, etc., to Signal Man’s Cottage, and would respectfully recommend them to be attended to ; also the necessity of shifting the flagstaff about 1,200 further out. The sand from the beach has completely filled up level with the breakwater, and in south-west gales blocks the approach, filling the house with sand damaging flags, etc. The proposed site would enable vessels to distinguish the signals by day and the light by night better. The flagstaff has been erected about 21 years; the mast and rigging are old, and would require both to bo new.” Mr Kettle moved that consideration be deferred till next meeting. Mr Petrie here took his seat. Prom Messrs Guinness and Kitchingh*m relative to a residence site applied for at Brunner, and objecting to it on behalf of John Kennedy. Resolved on the motion of Mr. Kettle that the Warden bo Instructed to refuse such app’icationa, but to grant leasee in lieu thereof,

From the Clerk of the County Council asking the Board to have a lamp erected at the engines sheds, Cobden. Mr. Petrie moved that the request be granted. Seconded by Mr. Matheson. Messrs Sheedy and Kettle also speaking in favor. Carried.

From Under-Secrotary of Mines. Relative to the appointment of Mr Thomson as Harbor Board engineer. Board to pay half salary. Received. From Mr. Seddon in regard to subsidy for boring for coal at Dobson stating that he had forwarded the telegram on to the Mines Department to be dealt with. Mr. Petrie moved that the Board wait upon the Coals Commission _ to-morrow relative to the coal industry in the distr ct. Seconded by Mr. Kerr and carried.

Mr. Kettle brought up a report relative to Cobden bridge The Borough had reduced the rent to £l2 per month. Report adopted, rent to start on March Ist. The tenner of Murray- Arnold and Co , for iron bark timber was accepted, the price being 2/9 for piles of 40 feet and 8/3 tor longer lengths. Mr. .viatheson gave notice of motion for altering night of meeting. BRUNNER ADVISORY BOARD. A meeting of the above was held in the Public Trust Office yesterday afternoon. Present Messrs Mathieson (chair), Guinness, Campbell, M'Lean, M'Kechnic, Russell, Yarworth, and Kerr. The chief business was to deal with a continuance of allowances to widows who had married again, the matter having been taken into Court. A letter was read from the Public Trustee, asking the Board to consider the eases of all those widows who have re-married, and to advise whether their allowances should cease, continue, or that a special allowance of a lump sum should be made. After considerable discussion it was agreed to recommend the Public Trustee to continue the allowance of 12s per week to all those widows who may re-marry, deducting therefrom any sums that may have been paid to them since their marriage. Application to build or purchase houses by Mrs Masters and Mrs Moonio were sanctioned subject to usual security and rate of re-payment.

A further application by Mrs Moonie for assistance on account of ill-health was postponed. Mrs. Pattinson applied for a sum sufficient to send her daughter to relatives in the Old Country, which was granted. An application by Mrs Parsons for an allowance of 10s per week for 12 mouths similar to that allowed others for the loss of sons was granted. Mrs McLuskio applied to have her allowance increased to £1 per week on account of ill-health of herself and son preventing them from working. Granted.

Resolved that Public Trustee be recommended to continue payment to R. TV hite for another year.