HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 825, 25 February 1903, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

Tho annual mooting of tho Board was hold yostorday aftornoon, thoro boing proaout : Messrs Townley (chairman), Harding, Hepburn, Whinray, Sievwright, and Captain Tucker. On tho goneral business boing proceeded with tho Chairman proposed tho adoption of tho now by-law as to port dues, to como into force after 31st March next. Mr Whinray socondod tho motion, which was carried.

Tho Farmers’ Union’s resolution in favor of a separate Land Board for tho district was received.

Tho Chairman said ovory member would agreo with tho proposal and givo it all tho support thoy could. Ho moved accordingly. Tho motion was seconded by Captain Tucker and carriod.

Tho public Works Department wroto doclining to purchase tho weighbridgo offered, as thoy wero replacing tboir smaller weighbridges by largo ones.

DRKDGKMASTEU'S REPORT.

Tho Drodgemastor reported as follows : —“ I havo tho honor to report that since last Board meeting tho dredge John Townley has taken out and deposited on tho usual dumping grouud 390yds rock and 300yds papa, total 690 cubic yards. On Saturday, 31st, the dredge was engaged seven hours rondoring assistance to tho barque Gladys, towing, standing by, and layiug anchor down, which bolongod to tho drodge, and it is so much damagod by tho heavy strain put upon it that wo will require a now ono. Since Fobruary 7th the dredge has boon undergoing alterations and repairs as ordered by Mr McGregor, Inspector of Machinery, which are not completed yet. Particulars of samo will bo laid before you at a future date. She was put on tho hard to havo tho old tail shaft taken out and a new ono put in, also rocoived a good cloaning and two coats of paint as far down as wo could got. Vessels towed by tho dredge, four.” Captain Tucker commented on tho timo takon in repairs, and tho subject was deferred until after the reports had been road.

harbormaster's report

The Harbormaster (Captain Cummings) reported : Tho shipping of tho port is increasing very rapidly, and more wharfago accommodation is needed to meet tho requirements of tho shipping. The now portion of tho wharf should bo got into working ordor as soon as possiblo, and tho ehaunol along tho wharf improved, as it is very narrow in places. Tho barquo Gladys got stranded near Tuamotu Island when getting under way about 10 a.m. on January olst. Tho weather at tho time was squally, tho wind varying from N.W. to S.W. Tho sea was smooth. I can givo no ronson for tho ship getting whero she did. I was not on board. Tho John Townloy rendered all assistance as soon as possiblo, and in tho ovoning at high water, with tho assistance of tho Omapcro and Waibi, was successful in getting tho ship off and to a safe anchorage. Soundings in chonnol this day at low tido gaugo at zero: End of breakwater 14ft, thin! ballanco 7ft Sin, Snark’s landing Bft, mouth of tho Waikanao 7ft Biu, stockyard Bft 2in, halfway along wharf Bft. Arrivals and departures sineo last mooting are as follows: - Steamers: Arrived 30, departures 30. Sailing ships: Arrived 11, departures 11. Having no fresh water for the uso of tho shipping is very bad for tho port, and is causing groat trouble.

engineer’s report.

Mr J. King, Harbor Enginoer, re ported “ I have the honor to roport on tho Gisborne harbor works for tho month ending 93rd February, 1903. Very little dredging has boon done during the month. Tho Government Inspector of Machinery recently inspected tho boat, its machinery, boilers, etc. To admit of this being dono thoroughly and conveniently, tho boilers wore blown down and tho engines taken apart. Alterations and additions to the boilers and machinery wero suggested by tho Inspector, and these have been carried out and are in course of completion, all as directed or suggested. Tho boat has beon thoroughly cleanod and painted, and all its details havo beon examined, altered avid improved to suit the requirements of tho officers in charge. Examination of tho boilors was found to bo inconvenient, owing to a redundancy of tubing ; some of these tubes havo been taken out, and in i'uturo inspecting tho boilers will bo an easy matter. The scuttle leading to the forccabin was deemed by experts to bo badly situated, rendering access to tho cabin somewhat troublesomo and probably dangerous. It has therefore been moved to a place easier of access at all times, and those requiring to use tho forccabin will now bo much less inconvenienced than formerly. Blasting rock in tho channel has been discontinued during the last fortnight (whilo tho dredge is laid up). Unless tho rock is dredged soon after being loosened the interstices get tilled up with sand, and dredging is much more difficult. Tho removal of rock from tho channel will bo pushed forward again as soon as the dredger is available. u Weighbridge : This has been cloaued and reiixed to suit tho now building ; the well has been lined up and covered in a very substantial manner with heart-wood of totara, and the machine is now in good working order. i> The filling in behind the new part of the Gisborne wharf and tho dredging alon" tho front of the wharf I have been obliged to stop, owing to tho difficulty in obtaining water for tho small dredger’s boiler. Tho work will bo resumed as soon as water is available.

11 Slipway: Good progress has been made on this work during the month. The bedding of the slipways in concrete is well advanced towards completion. A sample roller and chair was sent for approval by Jas. J. Niven and Co., of Napier ; the sample is a good substantial job, and is otherwise satisfactory. The number required of these rollers and chairs will bo completed at an early date. The Public Works authorities, in compliance with our application, have kindly offered to supply the necessary rails for the slipways from those in stock at Waikanae. The adjustment and erection of the necessary hauling machinery and boiler-house will be proceeded with shortly. “ Haiti wharf: Agreeubly with your instructions, I havo given this matter very careful consideration, and have arrived at tho conclusion that it would bo unwise to put up a jetty and mooring piles of a temporary character. Tho berth that was dredged out some three or four years ago at Haiti has given very little trouble from silting up, and an extension of this work is urgently required for tho dredger as well as for other purposes. I am of the opinion that in the near future a much larger extension of wharfage on the Haiti side than that proposed will be required, and I would therefore recommend the construction of a permanent wharf. “ Goods sheds : The contractors, Messrs Clayton Bros, are proceeding with the erection of tho goods shod in a satisfactory manner; the framework is erected, and the sashes and doors, etc., are made. The contractors expect to complete tho job within a fortnight from now. —I would direct your attention to the unsatisfactory state of tho water supply for our boilers, ■ etc. Recently this has caused us considerable delay and trouble. I havo not had time during tho month to collect information and report on the Taraheru foreshore surveys, but I will give this matter my early attention.” Mr Whinray said that the shortage ol water was owing to its being monopolised by tho freezing works. It was agreed to accept an offer from Rawiri Karahatoleasokis land at £1 a year for the tank to be located there. 1 The Chairman said that Mr Jones, the ' freezing works engineer, was quite willing ; to liavo the Board’s tank removed ; they ’ wanted the room. Captain Tucker said they must be careful not to have any infringement of tho lease, and the company’s consent should bo obtained in writing. The Engineor said that tho cost of rc- ! moval would be such that a great saving would not be effected. It was agreed that the matter should be dealt with by the Works Committee. After discussion on tho subject of the water supply, Mr Hepburn’s suggestion was adopted to sink tho Borough well ton feet, which ho contended would give ample water for the small dredge. Tho Chairman strongly urged tho necessity of the wharf extension. Mr Hepburn opposed any proposal to construct 2001't of wharf for the dredge, but when the Chairman put it on general commercial ground ho said ho would support that now as ho had always done, and the motion to have tho report adopted being f seconded by Mr Sievwright was oarriod, the Chairman said that the timber would have to bo obtained before anything further was done as to the carrying out of * tho work. 1 Captain Tucker again brought up the • subject of the dredge and the Board’s " ironwork generally. There were three or four firms in the town and it had been , represented to him that the work could be ’ dono much more expoditiously if there were different gangs put on as in larger towns. Tho Engineor explained that it had been arranged to distribute tho ironwork among threo firms at a price fixed, and that was being done after the contract - oxpired. After further remarks Captain Tucker i said ho was satisfied if all were being fairly treated and work was being pushed ■ on. They should not havo a boat like tho dredgo lying idle when by distributing work among different firms it could be put into commission again in much loss time.