HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 399, 25 April 1902, Page 1

HARBOR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Board took place yesterday, there being present : Messrs Townley (Chairman), Macfarlaue, Cooper, Matthewson, Whinray, Sievwright, and Captain Tucker. It was agreed that the buoy, as gazetted, should be put in place to-day. The Borough Council wrote seeking the co-operation of the Board in the Coronation celebrations and the opening of the first section of the Gisborno-Karaka railway. On tho motion of Cr Whinray, seconded by Cr Coopery it was resolved that the Board- co-operate with the other local bodies in the matter. Mr Whinray said that it would bo a pity if thero was only the one Minister present.

Captain Tucker said be thought it would almost*have been as woll to have chosen another day so as to get the Ministers here. The Chairman said that they'fcould got tho Ministers on some other occasion. Captain Tucker said that it would be difficult to get them after the ceremony. Mr Macfarlaue: What do they do for us when they do come ? The motion was carried. It was agreed, on the motion of Mr Sievwright, seconded by Mr Macfarlaue, to allow Mrs Thomson, widow of the late Harbormaster, to remain in her old home for another month, there being a difficulty in getting houses. Messrs Humphreys and Son wrote asking for a share of ironwork outside of the contract. The Engineer said that there had so far been nothing done outside of the contract. There were many things that could not be specified in a contract. Mr Whinray said they might write to say that thoy were not having any work done outside of tho contract.

The Engineer said that for the groyne the ironwork was being divided between three firms at a like price. It was resolved to reply that there would be an opportunity of tendering when the next contract was called for, the time being up in September. The Harbormaster reported as follows : “ I have to report that the channel is keeping good. We had a fresh on the 13th inst., but it did not affect the channel much. The lowest soundings at low water on the 14th were : 150 ft up from end of breakwater, 6ft 6in ; big crane, 6ft Bin ; top end of groyne, 6ft Sin ; mouth of Waikanae, 6ft 4in; stockyard, Bft. I beg to call your attention to the way the tide is washing away the bank near Mr Sheridan's coal yard and railway line. I am afraid that during the bad weather this winter much more of it will get washed away. I find the flagstaff very shaky, and it should be seen to, it being a mark for shipping and a support for one of the lights of the port. It should be in as good order as possible. The mishap to the dredge has delayed the shifting of the red buoy, to-day being fixed by the Marine Board for doing it. I hope to be able to get it done to morrow. Shipping: Stoamers, arrivals 21, departures 21; sailing vessels, arrivals 4, departures 4. Soundings this day at low water: End of breakwater, no bottom ajt,lßft; -150 ft up, 7ft; big crane, 7ft 6in; end of groyne and Snark’s landing, 7ft 6in ; Waikanae, 6ft 6in ; stockyard, Bft lin ; old wharf, 7ft; middle of wharf, 6ft 6in; top of wharf, 4ft 6in ; soundings varying from 7ft to lift along the wharf. Several bits of rock in the channel with 7ft on them."

The Chairman stated that the flagstaff' work was not considered to be urgent. Mr E. J. Chrisp, solicitor to the Board, attended with the transfer of lease from F. J. Shelton to the Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Freezing Company, Ltd., and stated that he would see that the Board’s interests would be safeguarded. He asked the Board to formally agree to it.—Mr Macfarlane moved that the Board consents to transfer, subject to the solicitor's approval of the form in which it is done. —Mr Siovwright seconded.—Carried. The Engineer reported as follows: 11 1 have to report on the Gisborne harbor works for the month ending April 23. Small dredger: After a careful examination of the small dredger, I decided to patch the barge in a temporary manner and get it at work again as soon as possible, so that the urgent woik in the harbor might be completed at an early date. The more substantial repairs authorised can stand over until the large dredger is at work on the loosened rock in the channel, when the asssistance of the small dredger will not be so much required as at present. During the monlh a considerable amount of repairs have been done to the planking of the viaduct, the liaiti wharf, and also the Gisborne wharf. The dredger John Townley was working fairly well until the 22nd inst., when an accident to one of the hopper doors occurred. While the dredger was out in the bay discharging spoil, the doors being open, one of them touched a rock, causing a considerable amount of damage to the hinges. The dredge-master will report to you on the amount of work done during the month, and also on the condition of the vessel. The majority of the general hands have been employed during the month in putting in piles for the coffer dam to be constructed around the site of the slip. The material used for this work is part of the material required for the training wall, but as it will not be cut or damaged in aoy svay, it will be available for that work later on. I propose during the ensuing month to continue the dredging in the harbor and the work at the slip. Gisborne wharf extension contract: About 74,000 feet of timber for this contract has yet to be delivered. The contracter, Mr McLeod, has not yet mado a start with the works.”

The Valuation Depart men ttvrote to the effect that new rolls would be issued for Gisborne Borough and Waiapu County soon after the sitting of the Assessment Court. —Received. The Public Trustee wrote, stating that he would remit the 115000 asked for on the Ist proximo.—Mr Cooper asked if they would havo sufficient money to carry on until the session after next. It would be as well not to let the session slip by and then find themselves tied up.—The Chairman said the Finance Committee should inquire into the matter. They had HIO,OOO to receive from the Public Trustee yet.