HARBOR MATTERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 322, 24 January 1902, Page 4

HARBOR MATTERS.

APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS. A special meeting of tho Harbor Board was held yesterday to consider the appointment of a harbomiaVar, the position rendered vacant by tho death of Captain Thomson. The Chairman (Mr Townley) and Messrs Hepburn, Sievwright, Matthewsou, Whim-ay, Macfarlane, and Clark were present. Tho Chairman, after referring to tho death of the late Harbormaster, said it was a question for tho Board to consider now whether tho positions of Harbormaster and Dredgemaster could be satisfactorily combined. It seemed to him that it could bo satisfactorily done, tho HavDormaster being relieved of such work as attending to the lights. If members thought the positions should be kept independent then they should advertise for applications, getting Captain Cumming, who had been appointed dredgemaster, to do the work temporarily. Mr Macfarlane raised the question as to whether or nit the duties of tho Dredgemaster would not preveut his satisfactorily carrying out the work of Harbormaster. Tho former duties seemed to require full attention. In reply to a question the Engineer said that the dredgemaster would bo on duty from 7 a.m. to o p.m,, and longer if required. He would have to look after tho dredge generally, excepting tho engineer’s work.

Mr Clark wanted to know how many bosses there were to bo. The Chairman said that tho captain of tho vessel did not go down into the stokohole and see to the working there. Mr Macfarlano said it seemed to him that the duties would require the master constantly on tho dredge, Mr Hepburn was altogether opposed to auy amalgamation. Supposing that the dredge, which had to pull aside, was run into by a vessel coming into tho river, would they blame the Harbormaster as pilot or as master of the dredge? According to what bo knew of shipping, it was not possible for a man to fill the two positions satisfactorily. In reply to Mr Clark, the Chairman said that the Harbormaster’s salary was Tl5O and a free house, and, in addition to that lust year the extra labor paid for was TllO, and the fees received for pilotage were only TOO. There was littlo for a pilot to do now, and there should bo less as the harbor was improved. He assumed that the Harbormaster would be ablo to go straight from tho dredge, which would be better than having to wait about the wharf. Mr Matthewson said they had tho financial aspect of the position to consider. There was very littlo work for a pilot to jdo, and before making new appointments t would be well to go into the matter of economical administration. With an increase on the salary at present arranged for dredgemaster, he believed that Captain Cumming could carry out the whole of the work satisfactorily. Mr Hepburn said they must remember that the trade of the port was increasing. Mr Clark said they had a dredge costing about TBOOO, and the maintenance and working would cost from T4OOO to TSOOO a year ; therefore, they should work it for all it was worth, and not allow any stoppage of work. In reply to a question, the Chairman said that the winehman would see that the work was carried on if the pilot had to go out to attond a vessel. Mr Hepburn said that would practically mean that the dredge would be idle while he was away. The Mayor said, of course, if members made up their mind that the thing could not be done, it would be no use going further with it, but he believed that it was well worthy of their consideration. Mr Sievwright said at any rate they all wanted a little information on the subject. He would propose that Captain Cumming be appointed to the position of harbormaster pro tem., and that the question of permanent appointment be left over until next meeting. Then they could see what the difficulties were, and whether it was necessary to have a separate officer at a separate salary. Mr Whinray : Especially when we can do without it.

After further general remarks, Mr Whinray said that he would second ti e proposition. There was, he said, very little piloting to do, as mest of the small vessels did without one and some of the larger vessels were towed in. He con sidered that Captain Cumming could at tend to the duties, provided the lighting were left to someone else to attend to.

Members said they had no objection to allowing tho matter to stand in the wayproposed, and tho motion was carried unanimously. The Chairman said that tho dredge should bo to hand before next meeting—a fortnight hence. Ho would, if necessary, call a special meeting when she arrived. Mr Clark said he approved of the amalgamation of offices where it could be satisfactorily done, and he thought they might do something of the kind in connection with the clerical work.

The Chairman said that the pilot must be duly certificated. . Mr Clark said he was aware of that, but that should not make him the less able to do clerical work. The Chairman said that nautical men were not usually good at clerical work. Mr Clark said that many of them were.

It was resolved that Captain Cumming should fill the position of Harbormaster temporarily at the salary he would be entitled to when the dredge arrived, Tl 5 per month. It was resolved that the widow of the late Captain Thomson should be allowed the use of the Haibormaster’s house for three months.

The Chairman stated that an application for the position of Harbormaster had been received from Captain Fernandez.