HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 429, 30 May 1902, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Board was hold yesterday afternoon, there being present : Messrs Townley (chairman), Hepburn, Sievwright, Whinray, Cooper, and Captain Tucker. The first business was to adopt the balance-sheet, in special meeting. It was

duly adopted, on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Captain Tucker ; the balance-sheet to bo printed and fifty extra copies struck off. Mr F. Knowles wrote asking for com-

pensation in regard to the position of dredgeraaster. He had, ho stated, lost his position with the Union Company through taking that of dredgeinaster, which ho bad lost through a paltry accident that should not have taken moro than a couple of hours to fix up. Captain Tucker : How long did it take to rectify the accident '/ Tho Chairman : A fortnight. Captain Tucker : Then why was it not rectified in two days ? The Chairman said because it was impossible. Mr Davys bad thought it might bo done in much less time, but he found that it would tako ft good deal longer. It was fortunate the accident had not been worse. It was no doubt hard upon Mr Knowles, who had been appointed on account of his local knowledge, but that had not prevented the accidont. Mr Fisher took caro to sound for the depths boforo dropping tho doors. Captain Tucker said it was no doubt unfortunate for Mr Knowles, but it had been moro unfortunate for tho Board, for whom the accident would be very costly. Mr Hepburn said that if it could be shown that the vessel had struck on an uncharted rock, or such reason as that, Mr Knowles would bo entitled to consideration.

Mr Sioi wright said they ought to have more info: mation on tho subject. Captain Tucker said Mr Knowles had ios'. his billet through no fault of the Bo u'd ; it was unfortunate, but that must bo in end to it. It is decided that tho letter bo laid on the table, which means that tho application was declined. Messrs Anderson and Son wrote enclosing tho certificate for the dredge : 11 Thanks for your telegram. We are sorry you could not give us permission to draw upon your Board for the balance of «ur contract. We had hoped that Messrs Davys and Third would haio completed thoir work sorno time age. Wo would, however, remind you that the principal part of their work is in connection with the crane, which was specified to come from Messrs Bose, Do.vnes, and Thompson, and was not supplied by us. It is really their omission that Messrs Davys and Third are makes good. We know that you will not tcep the money back from us any longer than you can help, and wo shall be pleased to get a telegram from you authorising us to draw.” Tho Chairman said that Mr Davys had not even commenced the work yet authorised. With reference to the crane he assumed tho contractors were responsible ; there had been several break-downs.

In reply to Mr Whinray, the Chairman said it had been specified that the machine was to eome from Bose and Co. That was for tho Engineer to explain. Mr Sievwright thought in that case Anderson’s were not responsible. Mr Coopor: Surely the contractors have some responsibility for work put through their hands. The Engineer said he thought tho eastings were good, but the erection did not appear to have been carried out in a proper manner. Thoir men had recently discovered that tho adjustments had not been properly made. The Chairman said it was only by actual working the position could be discovered. Mr Mitchell was dissatisfied with the working of one of the lovers, and instead of improving the adjustment it came out in his hand. The other one had been triedin his (tho Chairman’s) presence, and had done the same. The Chairman with tho aid of a sketch, showed that sorows that should tighten had been so put in that they came out instead of tightening. The faulty adjustment was probably the cause of the breaking of the cogwheel, which had cost £26 to repair. After further discussion it was resolved that the balance should not bo paid until Air Davys had finished the work. In tho course of the discussion the Chairman said that ho thought Mr Anderson would be very much surprise! when he heard how the crane had been erected.

A “ corrected ” chart was received from tho Marine Department. Tho chart showed tho red buoy in the old placo. Tho Union Company wrote asking that a light bo placed on the groyne for the working of the Waihi at night. The Railway Department wrote asking the terms on which the Board would dispose of or hire tho locomotivo. The Engineer said that they wove thinking of using tho locomotive as a stonoorusher, making it stationary. Tho Chairman said that they had obtained the locomotive 15 years ago from tho Government. It was set down in tho assets as worth £4OO. It was decided to leave the matter in abeyance until noxt meeting. The letter from the Borough Council in regard to tho Coronation celebrations was considered.

In reply to Mr Cooper, tho Chairman said the aim was to spend tho money mainly on a permanent memento; as little as possible would be spont on tho day. Mr Sievwrigbt said he supposed the Council could bo trusted to spend it aright. 110 thought no one would object to a permanent memento. Captain Tucker said they would have the control by not giving tho money until they saw that it was being spent properly. He would object to a penny being spent on show ; he did not think it would be right for them to take money out of the rates for such a purposo, but approved of some permanent structure. Ho moved that £oo bo given, on condition that the £4OO be spent for a permanent improvement. The Chairman said that would bo tying up the £4OO. , Captain Tucker agreed to restrict the matter in regard to the £SO, but said that if the people wantel to spend money in fal-lals and mako asses of themselves let them pay for it themselves. The motion was seconded by Mr bievwright and carried. Mr M. McLeod asked for tho use of a was stated it would he awkward to allow tho use of tho punt just now. It was resolved, on Captain Tucker s motion, that tho Engineer give every facility to the contractor. In regard to a letter from the Health Department, the Chairman said that when there had been a cleaning up of the rubbish of an individual on tho Haiti, he had pointed to the rubbish on the Board s property as being worse than that _ complained" of. The rubbish, the Chairman said, had been loft on the Boards property; they should have it cleared away, and put up a notice warning people I not to deposit any more rubbish there. The suggestion was agreed to. The Board gave its sanction to the mortgage on tho Gisborne Freezing Works’ lease. Mr J. Trounson forwarded specifications for the shipment of timber by the scow Ngaru, together with draft for £1159 18s. Mr Whinrny said he had heard that some of the timber was faulty. The matter was deferred until the Engineer’s report came up. ifhe Harbormaster (Captain Cutpming]

reported :—“ I beg to call your attention to tho benefit a light on tho groin near the mouth of the Waikanao would bo to vesseH using the river at night. At present on dark nights they have great difficulty iu keeping the channel. The

cost of putting up a good light would bo about £*l;j. It could be called a wharf

light, and need not be gazetted. The channel is getting narrow in places, and there are several pieces of rock in the channel that should be removed as soon as possible. The necessity for wharf extension has been shown this week, as every part of the wharf has been in use. Soundings taken at low-water, May 27, were: Near end of breakwater, 9ft 6in ; Snark’s landing, Bft ; big crane, 7ft Gin ; mouth of Waikanae, 7ft; end of stockyard, Bft Gin ; abreast of shed, 7ft 2in ; middle of wharf, sft 6in; top-end of wharf, 4ft. Steamer arrivals, 85; departures, 35 ; sailing ship arrivals, 7 ; departures, 8.” Captain Cumming also mentioned that Mrs Thomson was willing to dispose of a compass that was owned by her late husband, the price being £2. which was fair. The question of the light was referred to the Engineer and Harbormaster. In regard to the compass, the Engineer said that a good deal of confusion would result from the use of a compass in a small space. A sextant should be used. Compasses varied considerably where there were local attractions, and also from the variableness of the magnetic needle. Out at sea the difference would not matter, but it would be dangerous in the harbor, where all the points were now specially fixed by sextant. It was decided not to purchase the compass. Mr .J. M. Fisher, dredgemaster, reported :— 41 I took charge of the diedget -John Townley on May Ist. On the 2nd, hauled dredger to Haiti wharf, and got ready to go on the hard to repair damaged door. On the 7th, hauled dredger on the hard, and got door off and repaired. On the 9th, got door back in its place, and two bolts in each hinge, and on the 10th finished bolting door on, hauled dredger off, and moored at Ivaiti wharf. On the loth, started dredging, and ever since the crane has been working well, and to all appearances will continue to do so. The dredger has taken out and deposited on the dumping 880 yards of sand and mud. On the 28th, no dredging was done, owing to the heavy south-east sea in the bay.”

The Chairman said that the report was

not cheerful as far as work was concerned. While the dredge was laid up the men had been doing valuable work that would have required the laying up of the vessel. As far as Mr Davys was concerned, they could not see the end of the work yet, and the work to be done for Mr Anderson was still to be started.

In reply to questions, the Chairman said that all that could bo done bad been done. On Wednesday the dredge had gone out, but it was found to be too rough to empty the stuff. Mr J. King, Engineer, reported : — 11 The damage done to one of the hopper doors of the dredger (referred to in my last report) was made good, after a considerable amount of delay and trouble. Subsequently a large cogwheel of the 10 ton erano broke, causing further delay. A new wheel was made and fitted at Napier as speedily as possible. The dredger and its appurtenances are now in good working order, and a fair amount of work is being done. On the 23rd iust., the scow Hawk arrived at Gisborne with 106,571 ft of timber for the wharf extension and the training wall. The kauri portion of this timber appears to bo sound and good throughout, but it is not yet all examined. Tho totara is practically all heart wood, but a quantity of it is badly shaken and honey-combed, which, of course, will be rejected. Any other portions of this cargo, and of those which have been previously delivered, if found to be unsuitable for tho works, or not in accordance with tho specifications, will not be accepted. Rendering assistance to get repairs affected to the dredger and carting and delivering timber, etc., has delayed somewhat tho works on the coffer-dam for tho slip. Tho temporary piles are nearly all placed, and the lining up and filling with puddle will be at onca proceeded with. Cement for tho concrete foundations of the slipways will probably be required before the expiration of tho contract time for supplies, and as tho quantity required will be considerable, I would suggest that tho matter be dealt with by the Works Committee. The dredger is at work in the harbor making better accommodation for the berthing and working of tho shipping. I propose continuing this work for some time yet. Subsequently the loosened rock in the channel about the beacon and between that and the crane will be attended to.”

In reply to Mr Cooper the Engineersaid that the slip would be completed in about a month. The Chairman said be would urge the prosecution o£ the slip, as the Waihi would require to be put on a slip in three months’ time, and it the local slip was ready in time she would not be sent to Napier. In regard to the timber, Mr Whinray said that from what he had learned it was highly desirable that an overhaul of such cargoes should be made, oven if the Engineer had to call in experts in timber. Home competent man should be appointed to assist him. The Chairman said that he was not sure that they could bring iu the public to decide. The timber was bought on a specification providing that the Engineer should judge. That gentleman had worked among timber for 40 years, and if they could not trust him to that they should get rid of him. " Mr Whinray said that ho meant no disparagement of the Engineer, but ho thought it would assist. In any case the timber should be examined. In reply to the Chairman the Engineer said that he was examining the timber as quickly as ho could, but was trying to muke it fit in with other work. Mr Whinray said that two lots had been paid for. They had been told that there was i£Boo iu hand, but that would not cover it. The Chairman said that all the timber was examined, and correspondence had ensued and rejections been made. The Engineer said that tbo limber was examined before being used, and rejects placed aside. A. long discussion ensued, Mr Whinray strongly condemning the making of payments until the timber had been passed. The Engineer’s explanation was that when a vessel came in there was a rush to get the wharf clear, and he tried to fit in the examination with his other work. There had been a good deal of correspondence in regard to the timber. There wa9 a verbal arrangement with Mr Trounson that all rejected timber should be put aside and would be replacod. The ordtr had been sent to replace some of the timber rejected. Mr Whinray still held that payments should not be made on account until the timber was examined. A motion by Mr Whinray that the stacked timber be examined was not seconded, the Engineer stating that it was done as he got the opportunity. Mr Whinray asked whether any marine advice had been taken in regard to the slip.

The Chairman said that the Engineer had selected what he believed to be the best site.

The Engineer said that borings had

been made and other sites tested, and they found that allowing for size of vessels the best site available had been adopted. He considered it a matter of mechanical knowledge in which he could best judge without reference to shipmasters. The best site had been chosen, and it would do good service. Mr Whinray said that the site at the junction of the two rivers would be better.

The Chairman said in the first place

the dredge would not go through the bridge. A largely-signed petition in favor of increased storage accommodation at the wharf was presented.

The Chairman said that the matter was of great importance, and they should have the most suitable work reported on. Mr Sievwrigbt and Captain Tucker favored the work being done, the farmer suggesting that it should be referred to the Public Works Committee to deal with.

It was agreed on Mr Sievwrigkt’s motion, seconded by the Chairman, that the Works Committee report as to the work and that plans be laid before next meeting. The appointments of Captain Cumtning as Harbormaster and Mr Fisher as Dredgemaster were made permanent, on tho motion of Captain Tucker, seconded by Mr Cooper,