GREY HARBOR BOARD

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 4 December 1901, Page 4

GREY HARBOR BOARD

The regular monthly meeting of the above Board was held last night. Preset.t Messrs Petrie (chairman), M'Kechnie, Russell, Sheedy, Campbell, Guinness, an/1 Matheson. FINANCE. 'ln) Finance Coumiutce reported £1641 3. 7d receipts smco last meeting. The Harbor Board Account was in credit lis Id. Accounts amounting to £333 16 j 4d wee passed for payment. \ previous resolution asking the Union Company to make good the north tr nning wall was rescinded the matter having been settled before. UIiUNNBR BORE. The chairman reported that at a cornmi'tvo moJting held last evening at which Mc Allison was present, it was deaided to p,i, the bore hole at- Brunner down K ti Jther 100 ft. Mr Allison thought there w-w a good chance of meeting coal at thisdoptb. Committees report adopted. engineer's report. Tho engineer's report was read as follows :

' Wo have commenced driving piles in «bo opening in the stigiag at the north breakwater.

"A drive for another blast is being prepared in the quarry, and we will in about a fortnight bo in a position to open up another face near tho road. This will requite three chains of rails. "To company with the County Engineer I \ isited the sections at Cobden where sol is being deposited. Mr O'Donnoll shifting the buildings and will move the iriu-:r fence out of tho way this week. "The store and Bmith's shop is being painted. "L-.vels, its, have been taken in conwith the proposed new wharf, and wo svre now ready for the soundings to be made.

•'The harbor master informed me there i; shoal water at the hydraulic cranes. 'i'ha soundings show thot the bottom is vei-v uneven and lumpy. It-would cost £BSO to get everything ready for dredging aud p.-obably above £I,OOO to do the work.

" Regarding the owners of the sections in Cobden, I found that some time ago tho matter had been referred to the Burd'a solicitors, who I understand ha* tli ■ information."

i'he Chairman said tha Harbor Master hll waited upon him in regard to the condition of berthing, and from what he was told it seemed evident dredging or tho use of a sand pump would be required. Mr Matheson thought that dredging should ba commenoed at once, as it was highly necessary to deepen tho water at tho berthage. He moved that stpps be taktn to have the dredge put in order. Mr WcKeohnie seconded, aud thought the work was one of necessity.

Mr Sheedy thought they should await the report of the engineer. There might be some other inventions that could be adopted—such as sand-pipes. Mr Campbell did not favor dredging, it did not effect any permanent improvement.

The Chairman called in Captain Connor who stated that the river had been shoaling for some years. He thought dredging imperative; There would be about 1703 ft needed to be dredged. At pres -nt at low tide steamers go aground. Mr Guinness said dredging was recommended by the Harbor Master, and he was the proper person to judge, but in order to allow more information on the subject he moved that consideration be adjourned, the Chairman in the mean time to get any further information. Sjconded by Mr Campbell and carried^

HARBOR MASTER'S REPORT.

The Harbor- Master reported as follows :

" I have the honor to inform you thai the bar at this port ha 9 continued in fair condition during the past month. The average depth of water on the bar has been 21 feet 5 inches, and in the river 10 feet 8 inches. The depth of water at the loading berths has shoaled with every fresh, and abreast the cranes the least water is 11 feet. All the large steamers lay aground at low water, and the whole wharf requires dredging. A travelling crnne is urgently required, as it will en ab'c steamers to load when unable to shift. The tug's boilers required some necessary repairs." The Chairman stated that he hid ordered the repairs to be done. Action approved of. ' DOBSON DOUE. Mr Guinness asked the Chairman if he would supply the following information re Dobson bore hole: —Whether the work was going on P What was the result ? What was the cost P And was it true that the bore hole would have to be abandonedP

The Chairman gave a detailed account oE past proceedings stating that the Board was thoroughly disgusted with the manner in which the work had been c ivried. The cost when all was balanced would probably be a JEI.OOO. The depth was 368 feet. Foreign material had got into the bore, but it was believed it was now all clear. The old plant had been S3iu back. New and up-to-date diamond drill was now on its way out from New York. A boiler was being built at the Foundry. It was intended to proceed with the work as soon as the plant arrived, and put other bore holes down and thoroughly test Dobson Flat.

Mr Eussell explained that he thought the present hole could be used and no obstruction existed in the hole. He was perfectly satisfied that work could go on again. / UNION SHIPPING COMPANY.

From manager Union Storm Ship Company, stating that they regretted that the Wainui was compelled to miss Greymouth. He assured the Board that it was against the interests of the Company to miss calling at Greymouth. Mr Matheson was of opinion that the Company considered too much their time-table to tho inconvenience of the travelling publie and business people of the town. The last miss was owing to loss o£ time between Nelson and Westport. Mr Guinness said he regretted the inconvenience caused by the boats not calling at this port. He thought that a telephone connection would be a great a 1 vantage, and he had every reason to believe that the Union Steam Ship Company would contribute towards the cost if tho Westport and Grey Boards ulso contributed. By these means the harbor master would be in direct communication, -and get the latest news of tho state of both bars. He moved that tho Government be asked what would be the cost to have the telephone laid on between Greymouth and Beefton. Mr Campbell seconded. Carried. COAL CBEEK COAL MINE.

Mr Guinness reported that the Premier was ashed on several occasions to lay the report on the table of the Coal Commission on the Point Elizbaeth property, but it has been delayed for some re i on. A syndicate at Home was quite willing to work the leases provided the Government gave them a new lease, also a reduction in the terminal charges, which were excessive. The Government have refused both concessions, and have not resumed the leases. It was clear tc his mind that the Government were clearing the way to proceed with a State coal mine. The amount spent on the railway and bridges was about £io,ooo.

Mr Mathieson was not averse to any immediate action in the matter. The Government were making use of them to do what should have been'done long ago. He knew nothing about the £5,000 railway bond, and could not say whether it was just or not. The Chairman bad no wish to refer to the past, nor did he desire to see any injustice done to the Company, but it was plain that a great iujury was being done to the district through the mine remaining tied up, and it was their duty to get this remedied. He moved " that in the interests of tho coal industry, and in order to protect the Board's revenue, this Board urge upon the Government to cancel tie leases of the Point Elizabeth Company, and resume the mine and railway, and work the same 'in lor the State Coal Mines' Act, 1901," the Company having failed to comply with the conditions,

Mr. Sheedy seconded, and sa : d it was a shame the way our coal measures had been locked up. He was pleased to see the Government taking such a stand.

Mr. Eussell said the Board had bean trying to get the Company to push on the work for years. He thought the Board were neglecting their duty if they did not urge upon the Government to cancel the leases and to work t'ie mines.

Mr. Campbell said they would not be doing their duty if they threw obstacles in the way. The movement to have the leases worked had his hearty approval. Mr. Matheson said that the resolution in its present form would have his support. Resolution was then put and carried unanimously. INCREASED WHARFAGE. The Works' Committee reported as follows: "3eeing that the subsidence in the quay wall needs to be arrested, and that the present wharf accommodation is inadequate for the increased trade of the port, and that there is ample water for a distance of 600 feet up stream from the present wharf, along side the quarry wall, your committee recommends that the engineer be instructed to prepare plans and estimates for same, to be considered at the next meeting of the Board with intent to Ret the approval of Government for its construction." Mr Mathieson moved the adoption of the report, which was agreed to. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr Sheedy moved that the parts of the front street occupied by the Board be cleaned at a cost of jGIO and asked the Chairman to see that the old men about town ba employed. Mr Guinness seconded. Carried. Mr Sheedy drew attention that the waggons being taken to the tip head with stone, are often detained by carts at the goods shed, and he would like this attended to.

The Chairman said he would see to the necessary notice being given. From Mr McPhewon, jnr, asking for 3ome consideration, as he had met with an accident. Keferred to the overseer for report. From the County Council asking that fie culvert in Cobden be attended to. Agreed to.