HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 926, 26 June 1903, Page 4

HARBOR BOARD.

The Board met yesterday, there being present : Messrs Townloy (chairman), Harding, Hepburn, Cooper, Whinray, Sievwright, Clark, Matthewson, and Captain Tucker. THE BATE. The first meeting was a special one to strike the rate. The Chairman said he thought they must'have the same rate as before, and he moved accordingly. Mr Sievwright seconded tho motion, Mr Harding : Is there no c'uanca of reducing the rate ? / The Chairman- said he thought not. They would not get as mu h as ÜBual from the Public Trustee, and there was the land obtained to pay for, and the groyne to be carried out. He did not think it would be safe to reduce any item of revenue this year. Captain Tucker : I do not see how we can reduce it.

Mr Matthewson: Wo are very luoky that wo have not to increase it. The motion was carried. BEPOBTS. The Engineer, Mr King, reported at length on the works. Captain Cummiug, harbormaster, reported: The channel is keeping good. The lowest soundings at low water, taken on the 20th inst., wero: End of breakwater 12ft, 3rd and 4th bollard from end 7ft Bin, Snark’s landing Bft, big crane 7ft lOin, Waikanae 7ft 6in, end of stockyard Bft, halfway along wharf Bft. Tho spare buoys have been cleaned and painted this month. The Aotea got on to the lump of papa abreast of the upper shed when getting under way on tho 23rd inst., and lost the tide. Arrivals since last meeting are : Steamers 24, sailing ships 11. Departures : Steamers 23, sailing ships 6. Captain Solvander, dredgomaster, re: ported The John Towniey has been in constant work since my last report, and has gono on satisfactorily, with the exception of a few small stoppages. The amount dredged at the slip is 340yds mud, 445yds sand, 735yds rook ; and from the end of the rock opposite the groyne on the eastern side of the channel. 400yds rock, 400yds rock, in all 1920yds. There wore also 10 days dredging at the new wharf extension. I would recommend that a new tripping chain be got for the crane, as tho present one is constantly breaking. There are also alterations required for the steering gear, which could be done when the dredge is on the slip.