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Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 980, 28 August 1903, Page 4

The Chairman said that the solicitor had gone through the clauses and made that clear. On it being shown that tho term “ engineer ” or “ foreman ” had been clearly put, Mr Sievwright said that ho was satisAs to the building, Mr Matlhewson asked if it was necessary to have such an expensive building as £BSO. _ Captain Tucker said that the , Committee’s information was that the Board could not possibly put up the building they required for the sum stated, £SOO. The Chairman said they could have a woodpn structure with a strong room if they desired to go on for some years. There would be less insurance on a brick building. , ~ , ~ Mr Matthewson thought they should have tho weighbridge od that section and have all the offices concentrated. The Chairman said they could adopt a plan if they thought fit, and build when they thought desirable. Mr Sievwright thought the question of cost had to he considered ; if the buildings were to cost £IOOO they should hesitate a bit. The Clerk said the architects had refused to prepare plans to give the accommodation required for a less cost than £BOO. The report was adopted. REPORTS.

Captain G. P. Solvander, master of tho John Townley, reported The dredge was successfully taken on to the Blip on the Bth, and launched again on the 20th, and has had an extensive overhaul. With tho Chairman’s (Mr Townley) permission, I got the following work done: Three coats of paint outside and two coats inboards; new plates over hinges of hopper doors ; the damaged hinges taken off and new rivets put in ; several of the other doors also ; new well deck in afterpart of hopper and two new ratchets for same; four new scupper holes ; alteration to the steering gear; eighteen inches put on to the rudder. All tho work is finished with the exception of a little that Mr Humphreys will complete to-day. The Government inspector of machinery has examined tho dredge and found everything satisfactory. Dredged the first week in tho month 600 yards of sand and rook.”

Captain Cumming, harbormaster, reported “ The John Townley and s.s. Waihi have been on the slip, and everything worked well. During the last heavy gale two of tho buoys broke away from their moorings. I have put others in position, and am gotling tho ouos that got away chipped and painted ready for use. The heavy seas broke in at the back of the groyne, and a considerable amount of sand is washing through into the ehannol. I find that 14 planks, two piles, two stays, and some of the filling-in pieces have gono, parts of the open work of the groyne, also parts of the concrete filling is broken and settling in places. This should be repaired as soon as possible, as the sand that gets through is settling on the bank at the entrance to the river, and will causo trouble to the shipping. The rock that has been blasted on the other side of the channel oould bo used for filling, Soundings taken on the 25th are as follows : End of breakwater 9ft, third to fourth bollard 6ft 10iu, Snark’s landing 7ft 3in, big erano 7ft 3in, Waikanao Bft, stockyard 9 ft. Shipping since last meeting is as follows Steamers: Arrivals 24, departures 24. Sailing ships : Arrivals 6, departures 5.” On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Siovwright, it was agreed to have necessary repairs done. Mr D. A. Mcßood, overseer in charge of harbor works, reported 11 The dredge John Townloy was taken on tho slip on the Bch of this month, and launched again on tho 20th, having undergone a thorough overhaul. A good deal of work had to be done in the way of alterations and improvements, for tho expeditious carrying out of which I have had three blacksmiths employed, namely Messrs Brown, Humphreys, and Davys and Third, Her hull was found to bo in very good order, and there was very little that needed to be done as the result of the Inspector’s examinations.

The slip is working satisfactorily. , I expect to be able to reduce the expense of working it by having a crank pinion connected to a large spur wheel of small barrel, by which we will be able to haul the oradlo up by hand, thus doing away with the necessity of getting up steam for launching a vessel. The house over the machinery is finished, and one tank is fixed inside capable of holding 1300 gallons of water. If you think we should have more storage for water, there is plenty of room inside for another tank. The concrete retaining walls of reclamation of slip is finished, and will be filled in from the puddle walls during the coming month. Eighty-five casks of cement have been used and 85 yards of broken stone and gravel. Something requires to be done at the back of the old groyne to protect the sand from percolating through into the river.

The scow Hawk has finished discharging her first load of timber for Kaiti wharf extension. Mr Trounson has sent along a good deal of timber not on the order. The timber on the whole is of fair quality. The wharf extension cun now be put in hand, the ironwork for which should be tendered or arranged for as you may think best. I am open to deal with you for my pile driving plant, all of which would be required for this work, with the exception of the punt.” In regard to the placing of the dredge on the slip, the Chairman spoke very strongly on the reeving of the ropes round the solid blocks instead of round the pulleys, and said if the rope had not been strong serious damogo would have occurred. Mr McLeod said ho did not want to put the blame on anybody ; ho took it on himself, but it was not as serious as made out. Tho Chairman said that if it had occurred with aDy privato omployee the person responsible would have been at once discharged. Mr Sievwright said ho supposed tho moral of it was uot to let tho thing occur again. Captain Tucker said, being the first vessel put on, the wonder would have been if there had been no mishap ; if it occurred again the thing would be very serious. In regard to tho wharf, Mr McLeod, in reply to the Chairman, said he was prepared to go on with the work at aDy time, but ho said he could see by the timber to hand that .Mr King had altered his original plan for the 200 ft. It was not merely an extension. It was agreed that tho Overseer should report on the work at next meeting.

FINANCIAL. The following statement of finances was submitted by the Secretary Ordinary account, credit £16,586 13s 2d; harbor improvement account, debtor £12.925 14s Id ; credit £3660 19s Id. Outstanding • Arrears of rates, 1901, £lO5 Is Id; 1902, £274 5s 3d; wharfages current £7 2s 3d, rent Tauwharepnrae £64 3s 4d.