HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1081, 24 December 1903, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the Gis borne Harbor Board was held last Dight. Present: Messrs Townley (in the choir), Hepburn, Whinriy, Harding, Matthowson, and Captain Tucker. -A letter was received from the Borough douncil asking the Board to bo represented at a conference of local bodios on tho question of tho proposed bridge over tho Taruheru. Mr Townley said that no dato had yet boon fixed. The County Council had already ropliod that they would not attend a conference. Mb Whinray said that the work emanated from the Borough Council. Mr Harding proposed that the Borough Council be written to, asking them to fix a dato, and that the Harbor Board be represented, the whole of tho members to be a committee. Tho proposition was seconded by Mr Hopbuin. Captain Tucker agreed with Mr Matthewson that amalgamation should be gained boforo anything was done in the matter. It was agrcod that the Board should be represented at a conference. Mr Matthewson proposed that as many of tho members as possible form a deputation to moot Mr Carroll this morning at 10.30, in connection with Harbor Board matters, in the Borough Council office. Carried.

Mr Cramond wrote in reference to putting tho Wftibi on the Harbor Board’s slip, on Monday, 4th January next, probably for one tido only, as it was merely to paint her bottom, instead of beacbiDg her on tho liver bank. He hoped they would make a modorato charge whon slipping for cleaning and painting. Tho Chairman said it would take throe tides. It was just a question of labor. The should uso tho slip as much as possible. Tho Overseer said that it would cost considerably undor £5. In Lyttelton tho.y had much bettor facilities than they had in Gisborne. Captain Tucker proposod that in tho presont instance tho charge would bo £6. Carried. . TJio Oversaor was instructed to hand in a report at tho next meoting taking particular notice of every expenditure in con nection with patting tho Waihi on the slip. The Soorotary of tho Wellington Harbor Board wroto in reference to tho formation of a Harbor Board Association. —Received Mr E. J. Cbriep, Board’s solicitor, wrote re Beacon Reserve : I have to roport that tho transfer from Misß Tucker and Mr H. G. Tuoker of the one-half chain are all in order, and tho consideration money, nnmoly £l2O, may now bo paid to the voudors. As regards the other half chain strip, I have discovered quite accidentally, that about 10 years ago tho Government proclaimed it as a reservo, but nothing further was dono towards paying compensation and obtaining title. At that time loeal authorities had no power to take Native lands for public works. I am in communication with the Public Works Department, and in tho meantime would rocommond tho Board to do nothing further in tho way of compensation -at least until tho Grown can give a titlo. Tho Dredgemastor wrote drawing tho Board's attention to hia salary, which was inadequate for the responsibilities the position entailed. Mr Matthewson Biiid ho believed in paying tuon well, hut ho did not behove in an application being sent in at every meeting oi tho Board, which was now their experience.

Mr Harding said that now tho matter had oouio np they should constdor it. Ho should like to ask tho Overseor as to how things wero working with tho dredge. Mr Matthewaon objected. Ho thought one officer of tho Board should not be called upon to give au opinion about another officer of the Board. Mr Hepburn said he thought that the salary was very roasonablo. It was the same a 3 tho dredgeinaater was getting in Napier, who had only ono hand. Mr Harding moved that tho salary be increased to i£l6 a month. Tfio motion lapsed for want of a secondor. It was statod that tho salary was £ls, the same as tho dredge engineer’s. Mr G. P. Solvander, dredgemastor, wrote :—“ I have tho honor to report that since your last meeting, tho dredge (John Townloy) has been in constant work, being favorod with fine woathor, and everything working satisfactory, haß mado good progress. Tho amount drodged is 4175 oubio yards in various places from tho new wharf to the end of the breakwater."

OVERSEER’S REPORT.

D. McLeod, Overseer, wrote I have tho honor to roport on the Gisborne harbor works for tho month ending 22nd December as follows : Kaiti Wharf Extension: Progress on this Vork is still slow, owing to tho haulness of the rock; 48 piles are driven into position, making 160 ft of piles and 100 ft of wharf finished and available for use. 1 recommend that Humphreys and Son bo paid tho balance of their contract for iron supply, £2O 16’, tboy having satisfactorily completed same. . Western Training Wall: Tho timber for this work is being spread out and tarred. Stone for lubblo aud for concrete is being received and stacked up on Waikanae

reclamation. The pile-driving machinery has been ordered, and should come to hand in a couple of months. Tho Stone Crusher : Wo bad a breakdown with tho stone crusher cn Wednesday, tho 9th instant, tho lever-rocker breaking in two, necessitating its removal, which has given us a lot of trouble owing to its having been studded to the axlo with ft. east steel pin driven in, FortunateW wo had in resorve an extra strong rockor to tako its placo, which is now being fixed in position. Dredging: Dredging has boon going on steadily during the month, the small dredger doing good work in removing rock from the lower end of the channel, and tho John Townlny in removing sand from tho mouth of the river and deepening the

channel upwards from the stockyard. t I have eitamiuod tho old portion of the wharf, arid find that, although a good 1 niftQV of tho piles aro decayed on the out- ; side, they are still capable of carrying lie i traffic for sows time yet. Of course, the I decking will need some attention by re- ' newing any plauks that become broken from time to tiino. _ ~ To prevont tho vvator getting oil the street into tho goods shed, I am of opinion that tho be3t and cheapest way is to convoy the wator away through the pipes laid round the corner of the building and out through tho back sheathing of tho wharf. The sost would bo about £4. l'o floor with white pmo would cost about £26, and with kauri about £4O. Mr Whinray said there would be a lot of rock to move before tho wharf could be "'Tn answer to Mr Whinray, tho Overseer said that tho small dredge was shiftin D

betwoon 2d and nu yaws u, ~ Tho Chairman proposod that the Over tseer ba instructed to carry out the work of draining tho water away from tho g °iv[r Whinray said in connection with the rubble filling between the woodwork they wa building up trouble for the future 8 Tho Chairman said that it would be a . great expenco to make it in concrete, i. cost of laying it down in concroto would be more than they could stand. . Mr Hepburn quotod Mr Bell s opinion, to which Mr Whinray took exception. Ho (Mr Whinray) would take no man s opinion beforo his own common sense. Ho thought very little of Mr Bell s report, and would tell him eo to his face. Mr Hopburn : You talk a lot of rot. Mr Whinray: You can’t 3ee a foot before pour nose. \j Chairman called the members to order. HARBORMASTER’S REPORT.

Caßt, Cummings, harbormaster, wrote: »Thave tho honor to report to you that the channel is keeping good. Soundings taken on the 22nd December as follows Pnd Of breakwater, 18ft; second bollard P „ n( j gft; Snark's landing, Bft 3in . W B c-ane '7ft ioin; Waikanae, 7ft lOin; b n S 3 of stockyard. Bft Sin; half-way along if ‘ Rft Arrivals and departures since r rLI ine •-Steamers, arrivals 84, dea3\ qv sailing vessels, arrivals 8, departures 1 ’ The Bailway Department has finished protecting the banks of tho Wat-

kanao creek. This will atop a lot getting into tho channel. A notice board has been put up at tho boat steps to caution people going outside the bieakwater in open boats.” , , Captain Tucker proposed iha. tonuers bo called for the erection of the new offices, tenders to be handed in a. the next meeting of the Board. . Considerable discussion onsuec. in regard to the plans and specifications. It was resolved that Messrs Harding, Whinray, Mattbcwson, and Capt. Tucker bo a Committee to go iuto the plans of the new building, and report to the Board. 'The Secretary of the Board was granted a fortnight’s holiday