HARBOR ENGINEER.

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

HARBOR ENGINEER.

MR KING’S FINAL REPORT. At the meeting of the Harbor Board yesterday, Mr Sievwright moved that the Engineer bo granted leave for the remainder of the term. Ho had performed his duties for five years in a painstaking manner, and ho moved that the Board express the appreciation of his work. He had no personal favor or partiality for Mr King, but considered it due for thorn to say something on parting. He might not be the best engineer in the Southern Hemisphere, but he had servod them well. Mr Matthewson thought the leave of absence question should be first settled. Mr Cooper : I second the motion. Mr Sievwright said the motion was one thing; Mr Matthewson could move an amendment if he liked. Mr Matthewson : Would it date from to-night ? The Chairman : That is for tho Board to say. Mr Matthowson thought the date should be fixed.

The Chairman said they might fix it from Ist July. Mr Matthewson : When will the slip be completed ? The Engineer said it would bo difficult for him to say even approximately. There was a good deal of dredging at the front of it yet, the bad weather had lately affected that. The balance of material should be

to hand any day. It was practically completed. It would be used when the dregding was done before the coffer dam was taken away. Mr Matthewson said it would be more satisfactory for Mr King to wait until it was completed if it was only for a few days. Mr King said he had urgent private business to attend to in Wellington, and would be back when the slip was ready.

' The Chairman said that the weather had a good deal to do with tho work. He had hopes that the front would be down that day, but they could not dredge there when there was any range in the river.

Mr Matthewson said he would support the leave being granted. Mr Whinray supported the motion, and expressed regret that Mr King was leaving. Ho felt convinced that they would yet require more than an overseer to supervise the work. The Chairman' warmly supported the motion, and spoke highly of the services •of Mr King, whose work, he said, would stand well, and he repeated Mr Napier Beil’s complimentary reference to the ex ; colienee of the work.

The motion was carried unanimously.

In his report the Engineer gave a statement showing tho progress made daring his term of service. • . - ~