GREMOUTH HARBOR BOARD.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 31 July 1901, Page 4

GREMOUTH HARBOR BOARD.

A meeting of the board was held last evening at the offices of the board. Pressent—Messrs Matheson, Sheedy, Petrie, Campbell, Bussell.

The Clerk read the notice of the appointment of the new board. Mr Campbell in proposing Mr Petrie as Chairman said he was peculiarly suitable for the position. Mr Matheson seconded the resolution which was carried unanimously.

Mr Petrie in assuming the Chairmanship, thauked the members for the honor which was not one of his seeking, for he had pressed Mr Campbell very hard to accept the chair, but that gentleman was very firm in declining. He realised that, the Board had some difficult and perhaps disagreeable work before it, but relied with confidence upon the support of members in carrying out the duties of office. He deeply regretted the absence of Mr Kettle, a gentleman of capacity, and one who had worked zealously for the welfare of the Harbor, He accorded a welcome to Mr Russell and trusted their relationship would always prove harmonious.

Mr Campbell could assure the Chairman that he would have a genuine support. The large works they now had in'hand required care aud attention in order to crown their effpfts with success. The financial position* of the Board was excellent, and with care they need have no fear of the future.

Mr Sheedy in welcoming Mr Bussell also expressed regret at Mr Kettle’s withdrawal.

Mr Matheson looked on Mr Kettle as one of the best members the Board ever possessed. Mr Russell replied suitably in acknowledging the kindly way in which he was raoeiyed by the members. He regretted Mr Kettle’s absence. The position conferred on him was a complete surprise to him, as such an honor never entered his head.

Mr Campbell moved that the work of insuring the workmen be left in the hands Of a committee to report, which was agreed

The Engineer’s report which is as follows was read and adopted.

“I have the honor to report as follows: —At the Cobden Quarry a service line has been put down over the old spoil bank. A siding can be taken off this and used for depositing material to raise the low part of the line to the tip head. Preparations are nearly made for firing a small blast,

“The foundations for the derrick crane are in progress, and the contractor has the crane itself nearly taken down. The Inspector of Machinery examined the boiler on Saturday and gave instructions for four small stay rods to be put in. “ The. locomotive at Cobden has been finished and handed over by the Railway Department.

“ The weigh bridge has been repaired and will be tested to-morrow.

“ The lagoon bridge has been completed and is now open.

“ The platelayers are repairing the line between the bridge and sawmill. “ The railway line including all sidings required on the south breakwater is finished to the tip-head.

“Two bays of piles have been finished and the road laid and the piles for the third bay driven. This bay is nearly clear of the stone, one of the piles going 12 feet into the bottom. “ For the last 8 or 10 days stone has been tipped at the south lino. Previously it was used strengthening weak places. “ A new hut for the men has been built."

Mr Walton reported upon the cause of the fire at the tip-head as follows: — “According to instructions received I beg to make the following report, concerning the fire at the South Breakwater on the night of June 18th.

“ The day was very wet and cold, the workmen lighted a fire in an oil can with some chips to warm some tea for their dinner. When dinner was over no more wood was put in the oil can. The men knocked off work about 3 o’clock as they were all very wet and cold. There was no visible sign of fire in the oil can or any where else when they went home.

• “Therefore I think it was one of those mysterious accidents that may occur.

*• I might state that nearly every one of tne men working down there lost some clothing. Williams the man in charge lost heavily, a new silver lever watch he paid £7 for arid all his work tools. I estimate his loss at £ls and the loss of the Harbor Board at £2B.

“ I might stats a new building was at once erected with a new iron chimney bricked up with an iron grate and in every way made safe,”

Tho Chairman said the next business before the Board was the boring for coal at Dobson. While most anxious that a thorough test should be made, he expressed great disappointment at the way the boring had eventuated. The Board had spent £1,130 for 330 ft of boring. The secretary then read a long report that he had prepared after visiting the bore-hole and! works and making certain inquiries into the boring operations at the desire of the Board.

Mr. Smith’s series of reports on the condition of the boring accounted for the stoppage of boring through an obstruction in the bore-hole.

According to the reports £9O worth of diamonds were rendered useless after two or three hours’Jboring. They seemed to not possess sufficient hardness or durability to perform the work required. Mr. Campbell moved that the person who supplied the diamonds be telegraphed to to the following effect: informing him that the stones are unsuitable ; that the Board paid the draft; that he protect the Board ; and that the Board would hold him responsible for loss. Carried unanimously. Mr. Matheson thought they should ask the Kaitangata Company to leave the plant here for three months’, which would give them time to reflect on the situation. He moved that the Company be asked to leave the machine for three months’ free of cost, the Board undertaking not to work it. He had no doubt that after hearing the circumstances they would accede to the request. In the event of the boring being resumed they would of course resume paying rent. Carried unanimously.

The Chairman then moved that all labor and operations in connection with boring be suspended till better appliances were available. Carried unanimously.

Mr Thompson then suggested that the b ard wait to see if they could get a supply of proper carbons for boring. Agreed to and left in the hands of the engineer.

On the motion of Mr Russell it was resolved to return the pump that belonged to the Brunner mine.

Resolved that Mr Walton and Mr Clifford go to-morrow to the bore-ho e and make every hing safe aud bring the appliances to town. Th- Piuan.o Committee’s report was read and adopted as follows: —

“ That the following amounts have been received since the date of last meeting

Land Endowments Eevenue £948 12 6 Grey-Brunnor Eailway and Wharf net earnings ... 1666 8 9 Refunded by Mr Sheedy... 30 0 0 Towage 65 4 6 Refund by J.M. Clifford ... 0 0 6 Total £2710 6 3 “ That the Harbor fund account has a debit balance of £635 11s Bd. Your committee recommend the accounts as per lists attached amounting to £7OB 14s od, be passed for payment.” A communication from the contractor of the Hesketh was left in the hands of the Engineer and the Chairman.