Late Shipping.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 73, 29 March 1901, Page 3

Late Shipping.

By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright Thursday Island, March 28. Arrived, H.AI.S. AVallaroo, from China. Alelbourne, Alarch 28. Sailed, steamer Alonowai.

Continued from third page, tract, to pass a minute that the clause would not be enforced if, through any unfortunate circumstance not under his control (such as a vessel laden with his timber being wrecked, or a sudden fresh carrying away booms) the delivery of the whole of the timber was not completed by Jauuary Ist, 1902 ; but that a reasonable extension of time in that case would be granted by the Board. Mr Trounson deposited a cheque for .£3OO as a guarantee for the due fulfilment of the contract. In reply to Mr Clark, the Chairman said that the bond had been signed, the only allowance for contingency being a minute that in the event of something unforeseen, such as a wreck, the Board could on being satisfied make a rebate of the penalty, which was £5 per week. He expected to have the timber supplied long before the contract time had expired. Mr Clark said that the question of the dredge had made him anxious to have this clear. In regard to the deposit of .£3OO. it was resolved to place that in the Savings Bank, or where the finance committee thought desirable to get the best interest with security. The report was adopted. harbormaster’s report. The Harbormaster reported : I have the honor to report to you that it will be seen by soundings taken this day at high-water that the navigable channel up to the wharf is as good as it was when I reported to you at last meeting. These soundings are taken from the bottom of the river up to the surface, and it has always been so done in all reports that I have laid before the Board. Shipping: Sailing vessels, arrivals, .12, departures 10; steamers, arrivals 35, departures 85. Soundings: 300 ft out from end of breakwater, 25ft; 200 ft out, 24ft; 100 ft out, 24ft; end of breakwater, 24ft; halfway up breakwater, 30ft off, lift; large crane, 30ft off, lift 6in, mouth of Wakanae, lift; stockyard, 40ft off, lift Gin; halfway up wharf, 40ft off, 9ft lOin ; top end of wharf, 30ft off, Oft. Mr Hepburn asked if the harbor was not silting by the new wharf. It was this month 9ft, and last 10ft. The Chairman : The tide might vary a i little. Mr Hepburn : The tides have been very high. The "Chairman said a little silt might 1 have washed in from the new wharf.

The report was adopted. engineer’s report. The Engineer reported : I have the honor to report on the works executed unper my supervision for the Gisborne Harbor Board for the month ended March 27th, 1901. . Agreeably with your instructions, the necessary repairs to the stockyard have been effected. The piles have been put upright, and securely tied back with a strong wrought-iron tie-rod, anchor piece, etc. The defective part of the fioor was excavated to the bottom, fresh fascines put in, and the floor made good. Surveys and plans for the proposed extension of the Gisborne wharf to within a few feet of the abutment of the Kaiti bridge are being prepared. Herewith please find an estimate of the cost of the proposed works. [As complete schedules' of quantities are now being prepared for these works, tenders may be-invited for the supply of the timber required, if you decide on adopting that course. The borings over the site of the proposed slip are now completed. Forty-two holes were put down to the papa rock, varying in depth from 7ft to 25ft. No report on the progress made with the new dredge has been received this month from Messrs Anderson and Son. Early in the month the lifting and discharging plant was moved from the recently constructed wharf to the Snark’s landing-place on the breakwater. The machinery of the dredger has been thoroughly cleaned, and some urgentlyneeded repairs made. The barge on which the dredging machinery is erected is badly damaged at places, and is troublesome to keep from leaking. It has been built of comparatively slight material, and now requires strengthening and sheathing with heart of totara planking. This I propose having done as soon as it can be laid up for a short time. Blasting aiid removing rock from the channel between the root of the breakwater and the Snark’s landing has been steadily proceeded with since the 7th inst. I propose still further improving this part of the channel by widening and deepening. the dredge. There was again a discussion about the dredge, which Messrs Anderson and Son have been so long in constructing. The firm advised that Mr King should not come down during the holidays, but, as Mr Hepburn said, “ there is not a line about how the dredge is progressing.” Mr Cooper thought the penalty should be imposed if the delay continued. It was after discussion agreed that Mr King should go down next Wednesday, and if necessary stay for some weeks to see that the work was expedited, Messrs Clar-k and Macfarlane saying that the firm should be pressed to have the work done. It was also agreed that the Engineer should telegraph as to the position of affairs. WHARF EXTENSION. Mr Clark asked if it had been definitely decided to go on with the work of wharf •extension. The Chairman : It is before us now to decide. Mr Clark said he was not opposed to the work, but would like the question of finance to be made clear. Mr Macfarlane said that was also his idea, j It was resolved to refer the matter to the Finance Connnittee-for a report. WORKS. It was agreed, on the Chairman’s suggestion, to have repairs effected to the landing stage at the Turahganui bridge, and to have a report from the Engineer as to the cost of replacing decayed posts under the old wharf.

Mr Hepburn pointed out that the new wharf was useless without metal being placed on the reclaimed land, and on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Clark, the Engineer was authorised to call for tenders for a sufficient supply of metal from Kaiti beach. COMMITTEES. Mr Macfarlane’s name was added to the Finance Committee, and Mr Whinray’s name to the Works Committee. TRADE STATISTICS. Mr Macfarlane asked if the Clerk had had any instructions to discontinue the preparation of the returns of the trade of the port. The Secretary said that some members had said the report was useless. Mr Macfarlane : There was no resolution to that effect. I think it should be continued until it is countermanded. Captain Tucker said that some members had said the report was useless. Mr Macfarlane said that the expression of an individual member could not be taken as an expression from the Board. Captain Tucker said the remark had been made by more than one ; his argument was that if the thing was worth having it was worth paying for. A good deal of further discussion ensued on the point. Mr Clark’s contention had been that the work should be part of the ordinary duties of the secretary, Mr Macfarlane also expressing himself strongly-on that point. Finally it was decided, on the Chairman’s motion, seconded by Mr Whinray, to have the statements continued, and it was further resolved that the finance committee decide as to whether or not it should come within the secretary’s ordinary duties. Mr Whinray and other members expressed themselves strongly in favor of the compilation of the reports being continued. Captain Tucker gave notice to move the motion which had lapsed in his absence, that the secretary be recompensed for the work he had done in the past. VOTING ANOMALY. Captain Tucker refereed to the anomaly' in regard to voting, and gave notice to move “ That in the opinion of this Board it is very unfair that harbor ratepayers within the borough, who are rated at double the county rate, should not be permitted to vote as provided by the 20th section of the Gisborne Harbor Board Act 18S4, and that this Board would respectfully represent to the Government that the intention of that Act should be carried out in its entirety.” He said that there was a great deal of doubt on the subject, and it would be well to have attention called to the anomaly.