GREY HARBOR BOARD.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 20 November 1901, Page 2

GREY HARBOR BOARD.

The regular meeting of the Greymouth Harbor Board was held last night. Present : Messrs Petrie (chairman) Campbell, M'Kechnie, Matheson, Sheedy and llussell.

The Finance Committee reported the receipts since last meeting to have been £165 6s. That the Board's current account was in credit £1,496 15s lOd, and that accounts amounting to £576 19s were passed for payment.

The Chairman stated that Mr Allison assisted by Mr Miller had had all the timber removed from round the piles of Cobden Kailway bridge and had the piles cut off level with the bed of the river. The work had been done so expediously and economically that he intended to consult with Captain Connor as to getting Messrs Allison and Miller to clear the Cobden bridge. The Engineer's report was read as follows:

"North breakwater—The platelayers will have finished the railway line to the opening made for the Mapourika by the end of this week. A large quantity of shingle comes through this opening into the river. It should be made up when we commence work.

" The quarry is in good working order and enough stone in sight for eight weeks. The drive for another blast has been commenced.

" The closet ordered by the Board at last meeting has'been built. "The diamond rock drill has been packed up and is ready for shipment. "Lifting the railway line opposite Stratford and Blair's mill will be commeaced on Monday. " On south breakwater the fifth bay of piles will be completed this week, after which the men will go to the other side. " I saw Mr O'Donnell, of Cobden, and gathered from him that if the Board would shift his fence he did not want the £6.

" Regarding section 44 Cobden, there are five sections in the block. No 40 is the one at this end and 45 the lowest one. Consequently No. 44 would be of no value to the Board unless the intermediate ones were obtained. " Several offers have been made for supplying a boiler for the diamond drill." In regard to filling up the gap on the North Training Wall, Mr Matheson moved that the Union Company be applied to for cost of same in conformity with agreement.

Mr M'Kechnie, in seconding, sajd it was a question whether it would not be better to leave the opening there by bridging it.

The Chairman remarked that it was a recommendation from their engineer. Resolution carried.

The Chairman moved and Mr Sheedy seconded that the Engineer report at next meeting as to cost of removing Mr O'Donneli's fencing. Carried. Mr Matheson moved and Mr Campbell

seconded that the engineer ascertain from sec lion-holders atC'obden what they were willing to sell their sections for. Carried.

Upon tho question, a boiler for the _ diamond-rock boring machine coming up, " Mr Matheson moved and Mr Russell seconded that no second-hand boiler be bought. Carried. The engineer then said that the Dispatch Foundry Company's offer was the best.

The Chairman moved that an engine be purchased from the Dispatch Foundry for the sum of J 6165, and that the work must be completed within two montbs. Mr Sheedy seconded. Carried. The Engineer's report was as a whole adopted

The Overseer reported that he saw nothing to cause the accident .to Mr Martin s horse. Galloping across the bridge would have to be stopped. On the motion of Mr Sheedy, seconded by Mr Bussell, it was agreed to pay Mr Martin the sum of £7.—Carried. The Harbor Master reported as follows : " I have the honor to inform j r ou that the bar at this port has continued in fair condition during the past fortnight. The average depth of water on the bar has been 21 feet, and in the river 19 feet 5 inches. "A new set of signals for the tug has been received in good order. The snags have been removed from the Coal Creek, bridge, also the piles cut down to the shingle by Mr Allison in a satisfactory manner. " In answer to a letter from the Board whether an oil launch is required for this port, in my opinion it is not; as the tug answers our requirements.

"I would respectfully bring under your notice the need for more wharfage accommodation. The timber trade is increasing, and larger vessels are coming here, which take nearly a week to load, and occupy berthage formerly available. Two timber berths could be made ahead of the tug's berth, as the water is as deep as at the lower.end of the wharf, and the range at the end is too heavy for sailing Vessels.

" Large quantities of shingle are still washing through the gap in north breakwater."

Mr Matheson said the question of more wharfage required careful consideration. He would move that the Works Committee go into the matter and see what would be the best course to be adopted and report at next meeting. Mr M'Kechnie seconded and said he did not see why the wharf could not be extended up towards Cobden bridge.— Carried. The following letter was read from Mr Eonayne, General Manager of Railways: " I have the honor to inform that the two cranes at present in use at Greymouth are being altered from single Uhain to double-rope lifting gear. The effect of the alterations will greatly improve the cranes in the matter of efficiency and safety, and the alterations have been recommended by Messrs Sir W. G. Armstrong, Whithworth and Co as the most efficient arrangement for hydraulic coaling cranes and the designs and fittings have been recently supplied by the firm named. Two mild-steel wire ropes work side by side instead of a single chain, and as each of" the wire ropes is amply strong enough to sustain the full load under all conditions of working, the failure of one rope would not therefore result in an accident. "By the use of this double r»pe arrangement, it will be practicable to increase the capacity and load of the coal hopper wagons by two tons each, thus very'materially increasing the efficiency and. work of the cranes. "This alteration will be a very important addition to the cranes, and I shall be glad if your Board will give authority for the cost of the alterations, which are estimated at £275 for gear and ropes landed at Greymouth (exclusive of the cost of fitting up) to be deducted from the revenue payable to the Board," The Chairman moved that the necessary authority be given. It was essential that every facility for the safety of the workmen and speedy loading should be given. Mr Campbell, in seconding, held a like opinion. The money Mould be well invested.—Carried. The chairman moved that the Eailway Department be approached re getting a steam moveable crane on the wharf to faciliate the work of discharging vessels. Mr. Sheedy seconded and said such a crane was urgently required, as the working on the wharf was greatly hampered. Carried. The following letter from the Minister for Public Works was read and a copy ordered to be sent on to Mr. Sneddon of Blackball : "I have the honor by the direction of the Minister for Public Works to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of 6th instant urging the necessity of putting in hand the erection of the above mentioned bridge, and in reply to state that your representations will receive the careful consideration of the Government. " I may mention that an appropriation of £IOOO has been passed on current year's estimates for the Ngahere-Black-ball. railway, and the construction of the line has also been authorised in the Eailways Authorisation Act." Prom MrCrombie, District Manager, stating that he had recommended a five ton steam movable crane being placed on the wharf. From Messrs Stratford and Blair asking the Board to repair their railway crossings when they were raising the tiphead line. They were willing to bear the cost.

Resolved that the engineer get the work done.

From the Public Trustee forwarding accounts for rents for sections held by the Board. Eesolved that the Public Trustee be informed that the Board recognise no liability in the matter.