HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 352, 28 February 1902, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

y ' The monthly meeting of the Board was held yesterday, there being present : j Messrs Townlc-y (Chairman), Clark, Ilepy burn, Sievwright, Whinray, and Captain (J Tuckc-r. e Mr Archie Kirk wrote asking permission to lay a pipe drain in Rutene street to carry off surplus water. Mr Whinray asked that a letter in ref gard to dredging bo read. A letter was received from Mr F. Staf--1 ford, supported by Mr 11. Bull, asking ' that the Board dredge the river near the , bathing shed. j The Chairman said he did not see what . connection there was between the two letters. Mr Whinray said that there was a pestiferous collection of slimy mud on what had previously been a good clay

bottom. It was a big sanitary quest-id that would have to be faced in time. Tlie Chairman said that the silt a the bathing shed had evidently beer caused by the eddy around the punt. Mr Sievwright said he thought thej should be very careful in granting sue! an application ; they should first be cleai as to their rights. Captain Tucker said that if there were sanitary grounds they might state so in refusing. Mr Hepburn said the talk about the bad state of the river was all bunkum. Ho had lived along the bank for 28 years and knew what he was talking about. The Chairman : Is the river as pure and sweet as when you went there 28 years ago?—Yes. The Chairman : And as deep?—Y’es. Mr Whinray said that Mr Graham had informed him that the river was silting up near his place. Mr Hepburn said that soundings taken near his place had shown there was no change in the depth. Mr Clark said lie had bathed at Mr Graham’s place 25 years ago, and his opinion of the sweetness of tho river then was that he would not caro to bathe thero again, and he had not dono so. Captain Tucker: That all goes to support tho raupo root and fern theory. In reply to the Chairman, Mr Hepburn said that tho discoloration of the river was a regular thing that had occurred long before the freezing works were thought of.

It was resolved to defer granting tho request. In regard to the request for dredging, Mr Clark said he thought they should put their energy into the work of providing a channel for shipping instead of frittering away time and money in providing bathing places for school children.

The Chairman said that it was a very small matter.

Captain Tucker reminded Mr Clark that the use of tho little dredge would not interfere with the other dredge. Mr Clark: Where is the money to come from ? We want every farthing for necessary work. Captain Tucker: It will cost a few pounds. Mr Sievwright said it might be said that the matter came within the proviuce of the Borough Council, but the matter was hardly worth raising a question about. Captain Tucker : It will come from the same pockets,

Mr Hepburn said the Board had the appliances, and should do the work, as it was badly required. Mr Sievwright moved that the engineer be instructed to have the work done.

Mr Clark said they ought first to know whether the two dredges were to be kept on. If not, were they going to stop the main dredge for a paltry thing like that proposed ?

The Chairman said it would be for tho Board to consider whether they should keep the two dredges going for a while. He thought it would be necessary to keep the small dredge going for a while until they had got into the working of the other. This small work would not interfere with tho big dredge. This was only a small question. Mr Clark said there would be so many of these small questions, For many years they had been spending money, yet they had to pay three times the wharfage, the same lighterage and rates, and they were still in the position they were ten years ago.

The Chairman said that such a statement was absurd. If it were not for the great convenience given by the works carried out during the past five years the cost ■of handling the increasing trade would be

a good deal more. As to lighterage, a great many goods ibat used to pay lighter- | age were now brought in free cf i lighterage Uy the scini.'imrs. The other day they had schooners dia-. ing Oft coining I in at half tide. It was simply nonsense to talk as Mr Clark had don-. . Mr Sicvwright said he would go further j than the Chairman, and say that without the facilities given the present trade could not be coped with. Mr Clark said that lie was not talking any nonsense. They had still to pay the heavy rates and lighterage and more wharfage. The only thing they bad done was to make a hole in the banking account. "When he had to hand over a cheque for X':?00, and paying the same lighterage and move wharfage, he could not see where the improvement came in. The Chairman said that he wished he had XloO to pay ; iie would be glad to pay it. Persons wiio owned big estates could not expect to hold those big properties and not contribute towards the improvements. He would be very glad to have the amount to pay. Mr Sievwright: That is not the question. The Chairman said that if they were building a house they could not get use from it till it was completed. Mr Clark said if the Chairman took that line ho was with him, hut the Chairman had been talking of what had been done. The Chairman said they must have the walls up before they could put the roof on. Mr Clark said it was taking a long time. The Chairman said be hoped they would yet succeed. Mr Clark : I hope so. The Chairman said that he had not expected such a sir all matter would lead to such a discussion. Mr Sicvwright: The motion has not been seconded. The Chairman said that ho would second it. Nobody could do the work but tho Harbor Hoard; no ono else could interfere with the river. The motion was carried, Mr Clark dissenting. Mr Clark said he held that having got tho new dredge they should work it for all it was worth. The Chairman said that that work would not be interfered with. They would have to keep the small ono on for a while. Mr Clark satirically added that it was a pity they had not a third dredge. MrWhinray: There will be plenty in Dunedin soon.

The Chairman and Mr Sicvwright were appointed a committee to execute n sublease of the freezing works granted two years ago. In regard to an objection to pay rates, the Board’s solicitor, Mr E. J. Chrisp, wrote giving the opinion that if it could be proved that the Bank of New Zealand was an occupier of tho Parcmata block within the meaning of the Hating Act, 1894, it should pay tho rates due on tho property. If the bank was not in occupation, tho Board was entitled to full rates from the Colonial Treasurer under tho Crown and Native Land ltating Act, 1882.

On the motion of the Chairman, it was resolved that failing payment at'tor tho opinion given, a summons be issued for recovery of tho rates.

Tho Finance Committeo were given instructions to insure tho new dredge for about XBOOO, Tho Marine Department wrote that it would notify that from March Ist bright light to be shown from tho now beacons, instead of the tw i red ones.

A suggestion was made by Mr ’Whinruy that information bo obtained as to whether the rooks that had to be buoyed could be blasted. The Chairman said that their extent could only be ascertained by a diver; anyway they should wait for the report of the Penguin survey. Discussion took place as to the now dredge. At Mr Clark’s request Captain Gumming attended to answer any questions as to the dredge. From what the Engineer and Captain Gumming stated, the machinery of the dredge had been very still, but was now getting into good working order, but the captain was not satisfied with the steering powers under present conditions. Captain Gumming, tho Harbormaster, reported as follows “ 1 have tho honor to report to you that the soundings in the channel are keeping good, as attached list taken at the end of January and February 2(1 will show. The survey of tho bay has been completed, and all dangers noted. Tho Waihora rock buoy lias bec-n shifted to clear the rock found by the officers of 11.M.5. Penguin. If the big red buoy was shifted on to tlio 81ft patch it would be a good guide for ships that wish to come inside it. The new dredge having arrived, there should be a wharf for her away from the siiipiug, and the slip got ready as soon as possible. The dredge had a trial under steam yesterday, the patent log showing that she was doing a little under seven knots. I am sorry to say that, she does

not steer at ail well, and must be worked by tho engines in the river. Shipping : Steamers : Arrivals, 80 ; departures, 80. Sailing vessels: Arrivals, i> ; departures, 7. Soundings in mid-channel at low water end of January : Hud of breakwater, loft ; halfway up, Bft bin ; Snarlt’s landing, 7ft Dili ; large crane, 7ft 2in ; end of stockyard, 7ft ; halfway up wharf, 6ft bin. Soundings at low water February 26th : End of breakwater, 14ft Gin ; halfway up, 9ft .‘ Snark's landing, Bft ; large crane, 7ft Jin ; end of stockyard, Bft Bin ; halfway up wharf, 6ft.” The Engineer, Mr John King, reported : I have the honor to report on the Gisborne harbor works for the month ending February 26, 1902. The Board’s dredger has been at work in the channel between the mouth of tho Waikanac and the big crane on the breakwater, getting up rock and silt at the shallowest places. On the 27th ult., the scow Hawk arrived with 184,000 feet of timber for the harbor works, 9500 feet for tho wharf extension, and 89,000 feet for the training wall. The timber has been stacked and examined. The old leading lights, masts, and appurtenances have been taken down and partly removed. Tho other parts will be wanted for the new works, and

they will be removed when required. The back leading light will bo changed from a red to a bright light, agreeably with tho instructions of the Marine Department, on the Ist March next. Tho necessary

timber for a start with tho training wall extension will probably form part of the nc-xt cargo. If so, I propose to commence the works soon after its arrival. Plans, etc., for the construction of a slipway at the mouth of the AVuikanae are almost ready, and tho works will be put in hand shortly. Tenders for the extension of the Gisborne wharf will be submitted for your consideration to day. Ninety five thousand feet of the timber for this "job is delivered at the site; nearly 100,000 ft has yet to be received. Some further

dredging and an extension of the Kaiti wharf is urgently required. Plans and an estimate for this work were prepared and submitted for your approval in June last. The new dredger John Townley arrived at Gisborne on the 19th insh, with Mr Turpin and three assistants in charge. Since the arrival of the boat, the adjustment of the engines and other machinery has been proceeded with, under the able supervision of Mr Turpin, Messrs Andersons’ representative. On

the 2dth iust., the work was sufficiently advanced to enable them to try the boat

in the bay for speed, the result being satisfactory. The crane and hopper doors, etc., arc undergoing adjustment and trial. The Chairman said chat it would be necessary to have some place to moor the dredge, so that sho would not interfere with shipping. After some discussion on the subject, the mat ter was deferred. In reply to Mr Clark, the Chairman said that Captain Gumming would be responsible for the dredge when it was taken over.

The captain, in reply to Mr Clark, said that the fault ho had to find so far was tho steering gear, which Mr Wkinray added was a rather serious matter.

In reply to a question, the Engineer said he did not think it would bo difficult to lengthen the rudder. It was agreed that the meeting be adjourned for a few days, su that the dredge could he given a fair test before being taken over.

Later on the members of the Board went across the river to inspect the dredge,