HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 851, 27 March 1903, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Board was held yesterday. Present: —Messrs Townley (chairman), Cooper, Harding, Sievwright, Matthcwson, Whinray, and Capt. Tucker. The Public Works Department wrote suggesting the strengthening of any extension of the wharf so that it might carry a locomotive. —Preferred to Engineer. The Borough Council wrote asking

the Board’s promised contribution of £SO towards the Kaiti esplanade road was available. —It was agreed, on Mr Harding’s motion, to give the amount as promised, and also to supply broken metal at cost price. Tho Harbormaster (Captain Cumming) reported on shipping and soundings, and enclosed a letter from Messrs Kennedy and Evans, complaining of the narrow channel and the want of berthage accommodation on tho Kaiti side. The Engineer reported at length on the work done during the month, and mentioned that he had written to Mr Trounson, of Auckland, asking him to quote price, and say within what time he would deliver at Gisborne about 6s,oooft of timber for the proposed 200 ft addition to the Kaiti wharf. Mr Trounsen had replied asking how long the Board could give him to fill the order, as he had several on hand. He was in communication with another firm on the subject. 'The Chairman said it was evident that they could not get totara timber in the longths they required without waiting some time for tho order. The Engineer said tho work could not be commenced until the timber was obtained. A communication was received from another firm, mentioning that a quotation would probably be given. Mr Whinray referred to a totara bush which Mr Parker had told him of in tho Arai Valley ; it was Government or Nativo land, and members considered it would take too long to obtain right to take tho bush if it was there as represented, but later on they agreed to advertise asking for a supply of totara, in case anyone thought it worth while to try and get it out from the bush referred to.

Ml' Harding again voiced bis opinion that they should not go on with the wharf piecemeal. Tho town was growing, they required tho wharfage, and they should have an extension of at least double what was proposed. The Chairman : I had a fight to get even the 200 ft agreed to. That would be a great improvement. Mr Harding : Of course it will—l'm not disputing that. Tho Chairman : It will bo much better if we can have 400 ft.

Mr Cooper said be would second a motion by Mr Harding, and was very glad to see they had another progressive member on the Board. “ I shall do my best to back him up,” he added. “We are all progressive,” said Mr Siovwright. “ Oh no,” replied Mr Cooper, “ we have a few non progressionists.” The Engineer said that two years ago ho had suggested an extension of 200ft—if they could extend it 500 ft it would be a good thing. Captain Tucker favored the extension. He said tho more they improved the town side of the river tho more he contrasted it with the Haiti side, and wondered when they would begin to improve the wharf there. By taking the mud out on the other side they would get more water down. He proposed that the extension total 500 ft altogether, that 300 ft be added to tho already authorised 200 ft. Mr Harding: I will second that. Mr Sievwright: It is only a question of money. Captain Tucker: Money is no object. (Laughter,) Here you have another body coming on bended knees asking us for £25,000; if we can afford to give that we can surely afford to do our own duty. It was resolved to have the 500 ft extension carried out.

It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Harding, to pay an increased premium of £3 10s to take advantage of an extension of liability under tho Workers’ Compensation Act.

Application was reeoived from the Borough Council for a loan of £25,000 at the rate of 4 per cent, from the Harbor Board’s funds, in terms of a resolution

passed by the Council, who required the money by way of a temporary loan to commence tho water supply scheme as decided upon by the ratepayers, the loan to be repaid out of the £75,000 when raised.

The Chairman referred to the borough’s satisfactory financial position, and the advantage it would be to get the money with which to start the water supply scheme.

After discussion the matter was referred to the Finance Committee, who were blbo instructed, on Captain Tucker’s suggestion, to enquire why so largo a sum as j£28,000 was held in the Public Trustee’s hands at 34 when it could readily be lent at 4 or 44 per cent. Messrs Dalgoty and Co., Common, Shelton and Co., Ivennody and Evans, and tbe Gisborno Sboepfarmers’ Co., wrote jointly drawing the Board’s attention to the inadequate wharf accommodation on the Kaiti side, and urging that the work approved of bo pushed on. Tho letter referred to some of the delays occasioned by tho present system. * Members sympathised with the request which was being complied with. | The Master and Engineer of the dredge submitted the following report: — ll Since last Board day the dredger John Townley has taken out and deposited on tho usual dumping ground, from the lower end of the channel, 1100yds of rock and sand, from along new wharf 640yds of papa clay. Total, 1740 cubic yards. Seven days’ dredging spoil on to the wharf, 14 day 3 engaging lifting and overhauling the moorings in the bay ; vessels towed out, 3 ; one day grab under repairs. Our crane chain has carried away no less than eight times in one week, causing a great deal of delay, and it is time it was replaced by a new chain.” The Secretary of the Marine Department wrote acknowledging receipt of letter with reference to a magisterial inquiry not having heen held into the stranding of the bßrque Gladys in Poverty Bay on the 31st January last, and in reply stating that the letter was received too late to arrange for any further inquiry had it been considered necessary to do so, as the vessel had already sailed from Auckland for London. The writer added : “ I however enclose, for the information of your Board, a copy of the cvidenco taken at the preliminary I inquiry held before the Collector of Customs, at which inquiry a representative of the Board could have been present had it been desired.”

The evidence was the statement of the captain and oflicers. Considerable discussion ensued, Mr Harding considering that as the Department was satisfied with the explanation it did not concern the Board. Captain Tucker considered the position was made to appear worse than it was before, and Mr Sievwright said they should hold to their protest against no proper enquiry being made in such cases. The Board’s solicitor wrote stating that the owners refused to recognise the Board’s claim for salvage. On the facts ho thought the Board was entitled to salvage; in case they desired to prosecute a claim, he would like leave to take counsel’s opinion upon certain points of procedure. During a discussion which ensued, Capt. Tucker said if they did not contemplate another lawsuit they should drop the thing altogether; he considered that the Board had done no more than they should have done, and if the owners refused to pay anything they should let the matter stand at that. Both matters were referred to the Finance Committee to report on. Mr Cooper said it was false economy to have these chains always carrying away. They should have suitable chains and also duplicates. Another thing was the hauling machinery, which nearly killed a man the other day, and there was always risk. Then as to the handling of the stuff on the wharf there should be some improved means. They should also have some better supervision. At the slip there seemed to be an enormous sum being spent without proper return. The whole harbor work being done by day labor was costing them an enormous sum. Captain Tucker agreed that there should be some bettor means of clearing the mud oft' the wharf. Ho thought a horse, scoop, I and block and wheel should be used. The dredge was equal to more than the men could do, no mattor how hard they slaved. Ho was no engineer, but ho thought they could apply the principle used in discharging vessels by tho aid of a horse. The prcsont systom should not go on a day longer. In reply £tho Enginoer said as to the chain thoy had got the best Admiralty tested chains, but links would get broken. There was abundance of chains here if they would look after them. It had caused him a great deal of trouble looking after these things after alterations were made. In addition, last week he had written away for a special chain. As to the stuff from the rivor it must all be put in carefully, so that tho breast work would not be damaged. It was intended, as before, to use a horso, but until they got the first layer against the wharf they could not use a horse or trucks. When thoy got the front portion consolidated thoy could uso scoops. As to supervision it was impossible for him to be preparing plans, attending to other work and supervising. Supervision was mainly needed on tho dredgo. As to tho slip good work was being done, and thoy got good value for their money. The Engineer said as to the dredge he hoped that when the men there were not doing much they would give a hand to shift the mud from tho wharf. They refused to do so. It was not fair that thoy should be looking on at the other men doing the hard work. Mr Cooper: Then sack them. The Enginoer: That is a matter for the Board. The Chairman said that he and the Engineer had talked over the subject. The men on the dredge refused to assist in the shovelling of the mud off the wharf.. They were always reminded that such and such a thing was done in Napier, which was thought to be sufficient reply. As to a duplicate grab, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Cooper, to order a new grab. Mr Cooper, as to the Engineer, said they could not expect him to supervise everything ; the time had arrived when there should bo a smart man as overseer.

The Chairman said that tho big dredge was the difficulty ; they could not put an overseer over the captain or engineer of that. He would not take orders from an overseer. Mr Cooper said then they should put on others who would do as the Board desired.

The Engineer saicl that the captain was hemmed in by all sorts of regulations; the men were entirely under his control, and they claimed that such work as shovelling mud was not part of their work. He (the Engineer) considered that it would be better to have the deck hands paid by the hour to do what work was required. Mr Harding said he was surprised there was no overseer, and that the engineer had to look after such things as chains. They could surely easily get a reliable man to look after each work. As for the dredge they could make the captain responsible for such things as chains. The Engineer said they had an excellent oversoer in Mr HeThierry, but whero there was so much work going on he could not be everywhere. As to the mud, Mr King said that he considered that while the mud had only to bo shifted a few feet shovols were as quick as a scoop. Captain Tucker contended that the scoop would be much quicker, tho comparison being as a shovel to a toaspoon. It was agreed to ask tho Govornmont to eomplcto survey of the harbor reservations to bring tho foroshoro uuder tho control of the Board.

A detailed report was given of tho repairs ordered by the Inspector to bo done to the dredgo John Townloy. “ Here,” said the Chairman, “ is a bill for Tl2O -Is 2d for work ordered to bo done by the Inspector.” He thought the bill might be sent to tho makers, Messrs Anderson, to show the work required to bo done by the Inspector. Mr Harding commented strongly on there not having been an expert report on the dredge beforo it was taken over from the makers.

Captain Tucker referred to tho cost of links to grab chains. It was stated that links had broken eight times in a week. The Engineer said the chains were Admiralty tested. On tho motion of Captain Tucker, seconded by Mr Harding, it was resolved to pass a progress payment of .£IOO to Messrs Davys and Third, a certificate to be obtained from the dredge engineer prior to passing the balance of £2O. Mr Harding was elected as a member of the Finance Committee.

Mr Harding moved that the Harbormaster’s salary be increased by' £52, with which Mr Cooper agreed. Captain Tucker agreed that there should be an increase, but he thought tne increase should not be nearly a third in one jump He thought T2OO would be a fair salary now, making a further increase later on. It was agreed, on the motion of Mr Harding, seconded by Mr Cooper, to refer the matter to the Finance Committee recommending an increase.

Captain Tucker’s motion as to the purchase of Tuamotu Island came od. He thought they should make the purchase complete, and as to the road he thought they should make an exchange so as to get access by the beach. He moved a resolution to rescind the previous motion, The Chairman seconded the motion, which was carried,