HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 316, 17 January 1902, Page 4

HARBOR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Harbor Board was held yesterday afternoon, there being present .Messrs Townley (Chairman), Hepburn, Matthewson, V,. Sievwright, Cooper, Whinray, and J.

The Marine Departnienl forwarded a chart of the Bay with corrections therein made in red. A telegram was received from Mr Trotinson that the scow had left with limber for the Board. In reply to Mr Cooper, the Chairman said that the timber for the wharf was practically not due until March ; it would not he so dillicult as the timber for the groyne. Mr ,J. Brown, engineer, wrote asking that tenders he called for the ironwork of such a large work as the groyne. He had been given to understand that when tenders were called for the Board's ironwork, it was only for the jobbing work from month to

month. The Chairman said he did not think the existing contract would apply to such a work as the training wall, which was not contemplated at that time.

The Engineer said that Messrs Humphreys and Davy.s’ contract was to supply the class of ironwork at 2j.d. The contract was for twelve months. Mr Sievwright : Better call for fresh tenders for this work. Mr Clark thought they should first ascertain their position in the matter, and the letter was referred to the Engineer to report on. The Harbormaster, Captain Thomson, reported rII.M.S. Penguin arrived in the Bay at 5.30 p.m. on the Bth inst., for the purpose of taking soundings in our harbour, and at 0.30 a.m. on the oth a start was made, and is being carried out in a most, ,■•„.■! •-•. • manner. It will be seen by soundings taken this day that the depth of water I reported to you on the 38th November is still as good as then. Arrivals: Steamers 8, sailing vessels -1 ; departures, steamers 16, sailing vessels 3. Soundings taken this day at highwater : 100 ft. out in line of breakwater 24 ft., 200 ft. ditto 24 ft., .100 ft. do. 23 ft., end of breakwater 22 ft. 100 ft. up and 30 ft. out 12 ft., 200 fL. do. 12 ft., Snark’s landing 12 ft. 3 in., large crane 11 ft. 8 in., mouth of Waikauae 11 ft. 0 in., stockyard 10 ft. off 11 ft. 10 in., top end of old wharf 20ft. off 10 ft. 0 in., half-wav up new wharf 20 ft, off 10 ft. 3 in’, top end of now wharf 20 ft. off 6 T„ 11 in. Mr Cooper : Why, there is enough water there to bring the Itotomahana

'Hie Chairman said the soundings were very satisfactory, and they should soon see the Omapere alongside the wharf. The Engineer, Mr King, reported : Dredging in the Taruhcru river near the freezing works was completed on the 10th inst. so far as it was deemed expedient to prosecute it for the present. Tiie total cost of the work is £177 18s Bd. Boring and blasting in the channel between the lower beacon and the big crane lias been continued during the month. The contract for the construction of towers for the leading lights is now completed. The new lamp was placed in the lamproom on the back tower and used for the first time on the 13th inst. In the meantime it is a red light, but will be changed to a white liglit after it has been advertised in the Government Gazette for the prescribed time. Timber for training wall : No further instalment of tills timber has vet come to baud, but I understand that the scow Hawke is loading the timber and should be here in a fortnight. I have prepared a list of the materials necessary for the construction of the plant required for carrying out the extension of the training wall, and shall be prepared at an early date to commence the execution of the works. New dredge : The Engineer reported on the telegrams received from the contractors, and already published. Continuing, the Engineer mentioned that there had been a slight subsidence in the hearting of the training wall. The defects had been made good. New walings and fender pieces arc being put on part of the old wharf ; nothing more than is absolutely necessary will be done, as part of the old work will shortly have to be renewed. Herewith please find rough plans and estimates of a slip proposed to be built near the mouth of the Waikauae. Dredging at the Gjsborne wharf is being proceeded with,

As to the slip the Chairman said the site chosen was near the railway line at the corner of the Waikauae. At first it had been thought that a site on the Waikauae would be the best, but considering the matter of expense the other site had been chosen. The estimate, making use of all the machinery that would be taken from the big crane, also rails, was £2OOO. They would require a slip for their own dredge, which would have to be cleaned about three times a year ; the s.s. Waihi would make use of it twice a year, and other vessels might use it. The slip would pay interest for itself in the use of their own dredge. Mr Clark : What is the value of (he machinery to he taken from the dredge ? The Chairman : We have tried to sell it for £IOOO, and have not been successful. Mr Clark : Would it he necessary to put the dredge on the slip twice a year ?

The Chairman said iic thoughl so ; it must be kept clean. Continuing, he said the work was necessary. He proposed that the work be carried out. Mr Sievwright seconded the motion, which was carried, the Engineer being instructed to push on with the work at his earliest convenience.