HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 107, 15 May 1901, Page 4

HARBOR BOARD.

A special meeting of the Harbor Board was held yesterday afternoon, there being present:—Messrs Townley (chairman), Sicvwright, Whinray, Cooper, and Capt. Tucker. It was stated that Messrs Clark and Macfarlane were in town, but had stated that they had not been notified of the meeting. The Chairman said that the meeting had been called so that a fortnight’s time could he saved in dealing with the question of attaching a sand pump to the new dredge. There ought to be a more powerful pump than the one proposed to bo put on by the contractors, and a pump of sufficient power would have to bo cabled for to England. Mr Sievwright said they should have a pump of sufficient power, but he would like to know how far that would interfere with the contract. The Chairman said he did not think it would affect tlie contract at all. He read the interim report as follows : “ Sir, —I have the honor to report, on the condition of new dredger contract, and especially on the necessity of having a better force-pump than that proposed to be put on the boat by the contractors. Their estimate for the pump was £l5O, and the pump which I would recommend will cost £270, exclusive of fitting and suitable pipes, etc. The contractors offer to put in the pump suggested for £2OO extra. This matter should be decided as soon as possible, so that the pump could be fitted to the boat before leaving Lyttelton. lie metalling the wharf approach, I

would recommend that metal be carted at a cost not exceeding 4s 6d per cubic yard, and that our own men should break and spread the gravel.” He said they should have the pump now suggested—the Board had originally had in its mind one of the value of £OOO to £350 —and the smaller pump would onlydo a tenth of the work.

Mr Sievwright: But this pump was not contemplated at the outset'?

The Chairman said it had been in his mind, but there had been so much chopping and changing that the pump had been placed on the contractor’s estimate at £l5O, which was altogether too small. Mr Sievwright repeated that he thought they should have the powerful pump, but he w-as afraid that any alteration now would affect the position of the Board in the matter.

The Engineer said he’ did not think it would do that; the pump would be a complete machine in itself, and the large one proposed was of much greater advantage, One idea of getting the new one was to enable the sand to be cleared from the rock before holes were bored for the piles for the training wall. It would also be useful in case of fire about the wharf. The pump was capable of working 3-ineh nozzles, of throwing water to a height of 190 feet, and of discharging about 650 gallons a minute, and one great advantage would be that the parts would be of brass. The cost, without fittings, would be about £270. The Chairman said that as it was a question of moment, and the time was worth saving, and as there might be doubt as to the penal, clause, it would be better to call a special meeting for Thursday afternoon. It was for them to decide whether they would get the dredge without the £l5O pump, or take that, or have the larger one. He did not think it would affect the contract, but it would be well to satisfy their minds on the legal question. Mr Whinray : Let it be understood, subject to the fact as to whether or not it will vitiate the contract.

The Chairman said they would have that in their own hands. ,

Mr Cooper said that he would be unable to be present at the meetings but he was strongly in favor of the proposal to get the larger dredge. In regard to .tho brass fittings, Chaiiman pointed, out that the fire .brigade’s steamer, which they had had for about 20 years, was of brass parts, which showed no signs of wear,