HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 143, 28 June 1901, Page 4

HARBOR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Board was held yesterday afternoon, there being present : Messrs Townlcy (Chairman), Hepburn, Sievwright, Matthewson, Clark, Macfarlanc, Yv hinray. and Captain Tucker. The Timaru Board’s secretary wrote, asking the support of the Board in the direction of allowing trust funds to be invested in securities of harbor boards, as well as in municipal, water-works funds, etc. ill- Sievwright quoted the Act and said that what was wanted was authority for harbor boards to borrow from private trustees, with which suggestion he cordially agreed. He moved a resolution to that effect, which was seconded by Mr Cooper, and carried, the member for tbe district to have his attention directed to the matter. The Harbormaster (Captain Thomson) reported:— “I have the honor to report to you that bv your instructions the dredgo was taken up the Tarulieru river to the Freezing Works on the 3rd inst., and returned on Tuesdav, 18th inst., bringing along with her the snags which were at the time actually blocking the navigation of the river, but there are still some left that time and tide would not permit the removal of. As those remaining are threatening the navigation of the Taruhcru, I have given the Secretary of the Board the names of the owners of the properties where these dangers exist. •• From time to time I have had several complaints about the insufficiency of the lighting of the wharf, and my own practical knowledge in bringing in vessels at dark of night compels me to say that an improvement in the lighting of the wharf is an absolute necessity, and when the approach to the new wharf is completed, I hope tho Board will give their consideration to this. “ Soundings : In going out for tho s.s. Kahu on Wednesday I took soundings—- • neap tides, and very poor tides. The least water I got in the navigable channel was 10ft 2in, which is very good with such tides. Shipping: Steamers, arrivals ‘23, departures '22 ; sailing vessels, arrivals 3, departures o.” In regard to additional lighting on tho xvharf, the Chairman said it would be better to refer it to the Works Committee to report on. Mr Macfarlanc : Why not leave it to • them to take action. I move that it be 1 referred to them, with power to act. , The Mayor seconded the motion, which was carried. p Mr Matthewson said lie hoped that the Committee would also look into the matter of providing berthage for the ’ Waihi. When the wharf was extended, he hoped that u place would be kept near the bridge. It was agreed that the Committee , should also look into that matter, and the report was adopted. The Engineer (Mr King) reported as " follows: —

“ I have the honor to report on the works being executed under my supervision for the Gisborne Harbor Board lor tho month ended June 26th, 1901. Boring and blasting on the bar rock between the root of tho breakwater and Snark’s landing have been carried on from time to time during the month, and part of the material loosened or broken up lias been deposited in the usual way on the eastern side of the breakwater. The small grab used for this work was designed for lifting rock, especially when there is a considerably depth of water, as is tho case now at the bar. I would recommend the Board to buy or have made a suitable rock-lifting grab for the small crane. It will bo found to bo very useful, even after tho large crane and grabs are here and at work. A number of the men have been employed during the month in adjusting the formation, breaking stones, and metalling the reclamation at tho Gisborne wharf. Out of the 400 cubic yards of stone and gravel which was to bo delivered by Mr Sawyer, 2815 cubic yards are delivered, and wo expect the balance to bo delivered and tho whole of the work completed within tho next eight or ten days. The lamp at tho junction of the old wharf with the new reclamation is a bar to traflie in its present position, and it should bo removed to a more suitable place. Agreeably with your instructions, the dredger, ore punt, and four men were lent to the Taruhcru Freezing Company for work to be done in the Taruhcru river. These were away a fortnight. Specifications and schedules of quantities for the timber required for the proposed addition to tho Gisborne wharf have been prepared, and offers for the supply of same advertised. For this offers will be submitted for your consideration to-day. Agreeably with your instructions, I haye surveyed the site and prepared plans and estimates, etc., for a 200 ft extension of the Kaiti wharf, Please find estimate herewith, “ As directed, an estimate of the cost of two second-order port-lights, with suitable tofvers, lamp-room, etc., has been prepared. The height of the towers is proportionated to tho distance at which the lights are required to be seen, but as I have not been able to ascertain the candlepower of the lamps when burning kerosene, I cannot say if red lights will be sufficiently powerful for the stipulated distance, that is, seven miles. White lights arc visible at more than twice the distance of red ones, the proportion being as 9 to 21,”

Mr Macfarlanc doubted whether it was worth whi'e tinkering any longer with the old dredge. With the new one in view they should sell it. She could not, he understood, be worked to advantage in deep water. The Engineer said that for odd jobs the old dredge would be found of great use even when the now dredge was bore. Mr Clark : Snroly the new dredge ought to bo sufficient. Do we want two dredges? The Chairman said that it was only a new grab wanted ; the old dredge would be of move use to them than to any other harbor in the colony. Mr Cooper said if they could put it' to use they ought to have the grab. Captain Tucker said that if they were going to havo two dredges they would need a large staff of hands. Mr Clark said that he understood the new dredge would be capable of doing all the work required, and he desired to know what there was the new dredge could not’ do.

The Chairman : It will work in shallow water and take corners off. Mr Macfarlanc said that he understood that the new dredge would cut its way through anything like that. In reply to Captain Tucker, tho Chairman said that the new dredge was to take out rock as well as sand. Captain Tucker: AVby ? So as to get down to twelve feet ? The Chairman : Yes. Mr Sievwright said they might get information as to tho cost. In reply to Mr Hepburn, the Engineer said that the new dredge had a grab for rock as well as one for clay. It was resolved that the cost of a new grab for the old dredge ho obtained. In regard to tho new lights suggested, the Chairman said that he had learned that the red chimneys would take 25 per cent, radiation from the light as against a white light. The Engineer said that experiments made by the British Government, at an expense of £9OOO, had given tho difference as 9 to 21. Tho Chairman said that he was going on what tho men had told him ; no doubt they were beautiful lights. The Engineer, in reply to a question, said he was doubtful whether the Marine Department could give the information. It was agreed that further information in regard to the power of tho lights be

sought. The Chairman, after the plana Had been inspected, moved that the Engineer be given authority to have the new towers erected as soon as possible, which he considered a most important matter. There was a question as to whether or not they should have red funnels or red shades, but the Marine Department had promised all information. Mr Sicvwright seconded the motion. Mr Mucfarlano moved, and Mr Cooper seconded, that tenders be called for the erection of the towers, tenders to be in by next meeting. The amendment was talten as the motion, and was unanimously agreed to.