GREYMOUTH HARBOR BOARD.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 5 June 1901, Page 4

GREYMOUTH HARBOR BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the Greymouth Harbor Board was held last night. Present, Messrs Kettle (chairman) Camp/bell, Kerr, i'elrie, Mathcson and Oruinhoss.

The Finance Committee reported £l'Ji)2 7.s receipts since last meeting; accounts amounting to £1551 15s were passed for payment.' The Harbor Board account has a credit of £1,097 19s (3d. in addition to £9,000 on fixed deposit. When accounts are passed the current account will be overdrawn about £92.

The Engineer reported that good progress was being made with north breakwater : two cranes were at work in the quarry, and other, preliminary work was well advanced. A cargo of iron fonrk piles hacl arrived. Report adopted.

In regard to removal of derrick the ■engineer reported that the question of removal should be given to Foundry, but if the Board thought otherwise he said Messrs Jtoso and M'Pherson could be entrusted with the work.

Mr. Kerr moved that the work be placed in the hands of the Foundry. Mr. Matheson seconded the resolution. Mr. Guinness moved that consideration be held over till next meeting to enable Mr. Thompson to bring up a report stating whether the men could do the work with safety and what was the ■estimated cost.

Seconded by Mr. Petrie who wanted a definite recommendation on the matter.

Mr. Campbell said the Board was not dealing fairly with the engineer, he certainly said the foundry was the only safe party to do the work.

Mr. Kerr wanted to know when next jneeting wculd be held.

The Chairman said he was quite prepared to call a special meeting.

Amendment carried,

In regard to Dobson borc-holc Mr Smith says =—" After boring to 170 feet a layer of sand was struck, which necessitated" the clearing of the rods. On Saturday night the bore was down 180 feet." Tinder report of June 4th he further says :—" Boring was commenced at midnight on Sunday and continued on ever since. The depth of bore at midnight on Monday was 220 feet. I forward samples of bores from the depths of 200 feet and 210 feet. When the rods wore lifted this morning the bore box (220 ft depth) was found empty. Therefore the bore was either lost, or the stuff met with would not bore. I think the latter, as the spring in bore box for holding bore is in first-class order. But the next lift should prove." . Report adopted, members expressing themselves satisfied with progress made.

The Harbor Master reported bar in food order, the depth being 22 feet, 'he inward traffic was 6<t steamers and four sailing vessels, and outward 57 steamers and one sailing ship. From ; Secretary Harbor Board, Westport, offering seats on Board stand at Wellington during the visit of the Duke and Duchess to' Wellington. Mr Guinness moved that a reply be sent thanking the Board and intimating that a reply will be sent prior to the 10th instant. Seconded by Mr Matheson and carried. Application of Michael Bourke to be allowed to occupy cottage in quarry. Eesolved that Mr Bourke be informed that cottage is now occupied. Prom Mr Lord asking Board to give third cost of address —some £6—to be presented to the Duke of York.—Agreed to.

In regard to the application of the Borough to contribute £25 to a memorial cluster of lights in Greymouth to commemorate the visit of the Duke of York, Mr Matheson explained what was to be clone in the matter. Mr Guinness moved that the Board join with the Borough and County Council in the matter, the three bodies >to agree to the design. Seconded by Mr Matheson. Mr Campbell wfis not sure if the Board had the power to grant the amount although it had his undivided support. Resolution carried.

Mr Guinness brought under the notice of the Board tlio propriety of some of the members of the Board taking part at Wellington at the reception of the Duke of York. Besides it would be necessary to consult the Government on various matters of Finance. They were at present spending their savings. They would very soon have to do something about a loan.

Mr Matheson quite concurred- with Mr Guinness's views.

Mr Guinness then moved that a deputation of the Board wait on the Government asking them to sanction the works already proposed, and with the view of raising the loan sanctioned by Act of Parliament last session ; and that a meeting of the Board be held at Wellington. Mr Campbell thought that there would be some difficulty in getting a meeting as Ministers would be likely to be busy in escorting the Koyal party through the colony, but possibly Mr Guinness could arrange matters. Resolution agreed to.