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Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1737, 1 May 1906, Page 4

Tbo Overseer and tho Chairman sa ! d that they did not think ferroconcrete cou'd bo used for oxposcd woik like (hit, dlthoußh it was woll suited for wharves, wbero thtro was practically still water. It was understood that tho Overseer wou'd consider tho suggestions, and if ho thought proper make any suggestion on tho subject, notice being given to consider the proposal at next meeting. Mr Lysrar said ho would not support any echcmo not ba lied up by an CDgineor, or for extension woiks. OVERSEER’S REPORT.

The Overseer, Mr McLood, reportod for tho month ending April 28sh :—" Tho John Townley has takon 45 londs of spoil to sea this month. Tho small dredger has lifted 28 loads of spoil this month, consisting of 560 yard- of rock from Kii i wharf, 245 yards of lock from town wharf, and 105 yards of E&nd and mud at and noar tho punt berth ; in all 980 yards, which has bcon deposited at tho baok of tho viaduot. A good deal of taud has been getting through tbo viaduot at this point, but is now effectually cut efif. Tho rock outtor has done very good work this mentb. It is cutting the rock fa ter than wo can removo it with ono punt. Tho 10 ton crane has been fired in position on town wharf, all the timber in which has been renewed, and tho chains well boated and tarred, being now in good working order and as go d'as new. Adorations to tho weighbridge are in hand, and will be finished this week. I havo started tho blacksmith tnakiog a shell grab for lifting the spoil tff tho puots into the trucks. Again I would urge on your Board tho pr, S'ing neoessity of having tho ether punt for the more economical working of this spoil. Sixty four yards of gravel were received from the oarlors this month, and spread on the reclamation at back of town wharf.”

THE DREDGE. The Drodgemaster (Captain Bolvander) reported : •' Tho dredgp John Townley has been in oonstant work since your last meeting, with the exception of odo day, through bad weather, and one day through a s’ight breakdown to the oiaue. Tbo amount dredged is 1200 yards sand from aloDg the breakwater, 300 yards between the slip and stockyard, 3000 yards mud from between the town and Haiti wharves, in ail 4500 cubio yards. lam plra’ed to s'ate that Mr Fraser, tho orano driver, had recovered from his illness, and on the 17ih resumed his duties, his place being filled 10 his absence by Mr Carroll very satisfactorily.” The Euginoar (Mr Mackic) reporlod : 11 On April 17th a slight breakdown occurred, tho teeth of the intermediate pinion breaking. We wero stopped for ono day. I received a letler fiom Mr Blakey ro evaporator (letter onclosed). I sea no necessity for Mr B.'akey visiting Gisborro in regard to the fitting in of tha evaporator.” The enclosed le'ter from Mr Blakey slated that a Glasgow firm were pushing aloDg the order for evaporator, filter, e(o.

SALARIES. The proposal to consider the salaries paid to the staff was brought up sgaiD. Captain Tucker said it was rather late to go inlo the subject then. The Chairman propoEod that it be left to the Finance Commiltoe to report on. Mr Clark : Suioly that is shelving the question. I would liko to hear what Captain Tucker has to say. Captain Tucker : Absolulely nothing. The Chairman : Thon why give notice of mot : on ? Caplain Tucker : That is veiled in obscurity. I don’t know exactly, except that tho subject might be ventilated. Tho Chairman : Woll, deal with it now. Caplain Tuckor : I say leave it alone. The Chaiiman faid there bad been other applications besides that of the Secretary (made in January), and these pooplo were entitled to a reply. Mr Matthewson said it was not so much the applications they already had as these that would come in. The following letter was read from Mr McLeod, overseer "Ab your Board is reviewing the question of its officers' salaries, I bog respectfully to bring the following facis biforo your noticp, for your kind consideration, Dot eo much 1 as pressing for a lise of salaiy at the prosent time, in the absence of any very extensive work, but tather for some recognition of the value to your Board of my past services.

Town wharf ex'ousion: When tenders wero called for 570 ft of this wharf, I tendered for and completed the work for less than half the amount of tho next lowest tender, relying upon my own knowledge of the formation through which I bad to drive the piles, rather than upon the information supplied by your engineer, thus saving ycur bond 1-591, tho difference between tbo two tenders. Western groyne extension : This work, for wbioh tenders wore called, tho lowest being J 616 624. wdb carriod out by me for tho sum of £10,700, and that under most unfavorable conditions of weathir, notwithstanding a saving was effeoted as against contract of £5924. Tho saving on Ihose two items alone is a capital amount of £6500, and annual saving of £325 intsreet at 5 per oent. Other items I might mention, namely, the Kalti wla f extension, alterations to the Jcho TowDley’s grab, and tbo designing and constructing ef a rock cut'er. As showing tbo benefits received by your Board from my knowledgo and expeiierce, remunera tion for which, as compared wi h the re-munc-raticn given for tho like benefits in other places, i c , as your Beard mutt see ext:cutely low. Having been now nearly three years in the employ of your Bosrd, and most of the time at tha low salary of £2OO per annum, has resulted in my being at present time soarcely able to make ends meet. Id conclusion lam happy to say that all tho woik carried out for your Board under my supervision has, so far, been free of any serious accident,-Trusting, sir, that my ca c e will rrceivo tbe favorable coneideration-of your Board.” A good deal of discussion ensued, Mr Hardirg urging that the work done by the Secretary and Overeeor Bbould be cons sidered. A' reference being -made to Napier, Mr Claik said that was no Comparison with Gisborne. Although there bad beeD an increase in rovenuo in Gisborne it was all taken from tleuosrlves, whether in wharfages or rates, and whether a man paid £1 or £5 it mode little difference to the clerical woik. Io 1891 the revenue was £7075, and at present it was £21,C00, but tbo expenses had also oboul trebled, f-om £2OO to £6OO

Captain Tucker said that Mr McLeod wob now getting £250. • Mr Lymar urged that ibe Board should consider the savings effected by Mr McLeod ; in their private capaoity they would gladly grant h ; m‘a bonus. Caplain Tucker considered matters were better left as they were at present, and in regard to Mr G. Humphreys said tho position was that ho knew what the remuneration was when he accepted the work, and that any amouDt of others would gladly take the woik at the price or lees. An amendment by Mr Clark that the. Fa'aries remain as they were was oarried. For: Messrs Clark, Hepburn, Matiheweon, and Captain Tucker. Against; Messrs Harding, Lysnar, and' tbe ChairgUßß,