GISBORNE HARBOR BOARD

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2034, 20 March 1907, Page 1

GISBORNE HARBOR BOARD

The following would have upi>curcd in oui 1 Edition of yesterday wore it not for tlio accident referred to elsewhere.

The Harbor Hoard met yesterday afternoon. Present: Messrs. John Townloy (in the chair), Lysnar, Siorwright, Whinray; Clark, Matthowson, Harding, and the Hon. G'apl. Tucker. Notices of motion by Mr. Lysnar were taken first. Mr. Lysnar moved (a) that the Board at. once .proceed with erection of the training wall on the Kaiti sido to provide a place to deposit dredging spoil and (b) that in view of the possibility of the erection of an outer harbor the Board discontinue blasting in tho river. There was some doubt ns to whether the Board could deal with the motion and Mr. Matthowson moved that tho standing orders be suspended. The meeting was going to discuss the tariff question. If it was decided to stop blasting tho money saved would do away with the necessity for a tariff. Captain Tucker said no reason had boon given why the motion should be taken. Mr. Lysnar said he had suggested that tho motion be taken because tho other matter to ho discussed might not bo finished at this meeting, and lie would bo away at the time of tho next meeting. The motion to suspend the standing orders was carried, and the first clause of the motion was considered separately.

Mr. Lysnar said ho would like to add to his motion regarding Kaiti that tlio breast-work be made sufficiently strong to retain the spoil from the river and to tie up small craft such as fishing boats and barges not in use. The Overseer had estimated the cost of tho breast-work at £3 lT.s per foot. He said he could do the work as suggested for about half the quoted cost. At present there were too many small craft taking u)) room at the wharf which was needed for general shipping. On the Kaiti side the craft would be out of the current and out of the effects of flood. The only question to be decided was liow far the wharf was to go and how far the breastwork. Tho breast-work might bo stopped at the creek if it was so desired, but the Overseer might just as well order timber for tho wholo work. Tho motion on the matter previously passed merely defined the lino to bo followed and did not stipulate that any work bn done. Mr Sicvwriglit said ho wanted the Board to keep inside tlio law. They could not legally proceed with the work until plans had been passed by tlie Government. Captain Tucker thought the motion could be carried without tho plans having been previously approved. The preparation of plans in duo course would be taken for granted when the motion was passed. The Overseer put in an appearance at this juncture, and in answer to Mr Lysnar said the quotation of £3 17s would provide a breast-work capable of taking any vessel .that used the port. Though not quito sure he thought he could provide a breast-work for small craft for about half that cost. Mr. Lysnar said the question of plans had boon raised merely to obstruct tlie work. In the past a lot of work had been done and no plans liad been prepared. If the Board gave way here they would Have to submit on all points and would not he able to put in a pile without referring the work to the Marine Department. The work was to be done on flats which were dry at lowwater. They were not a navigable part of the river and therefore were not affected by tho Harbors Act. The Chairman proposed that there be added to the motion a clause stating that plans be prepared and submitted to the Marine Department for approval. There would be ample time to have the plans approved before they were ready to proceed with tho work.

The Overseer said he could prepare estimates by next meeting. Mr. Clark said the previous motion on the matter had been passed some time ago and nothing had been done.

The Chairman said the line to be followed alone was affected. It was not intended to start the work. Air. Lysnar said it was certainly Intended that work should be begun. Captain Tucker seconded tho motion . Mr. Lysnar said the Board was taking a lot of extra expense and giving the Government much unnecessary trouble. He wanted to know why this course was insisted oil now, though it had never been taken before. The clause regarding plans was added to the motion. Mr Lysnar said 100 ft. of the present wharf should be brought on to the line and from there to the creek should be breast-work. Air Clark said he would like to see an exact estimate.

Tho Chairman said tlie best plan was to make a wharf from the present wharf to tlie creek and a breastwork from there to the bridge. It was wrong to regard the outer liar bor as an accomplished fact. It woqld be many years before it was available. He hoped that tho Board would adhere to its previous decision to put a wharf from the present wharf to the crook. Captain Tucker said ho would vote against the motion because it was against the principle previously affirmed, because there was some doubt as to the plans being approved, and because tlio more expensive work would give better service. The Chaiivnan proposed that the previous deoj.'dqn in the matter be adhered to. This he thought would bring things to a head. This motion was carried, Alessrs Lysnar and Matthcwsou being the only ones to vote against it. The portion of the motion relating to blasting in flic river was then considered. Air Lysnar said that at present a depth of 13ft 6in at high water could be relied on. Tlie Overseer had just started to make a channel i2ft deep and 50 feet wide for the whole distance. It was this work that lie wished to have stopped. A fourth of the distance would have to be chopped out and would be very expensive In January last it cost £192 4s for blasting, and in February £219; and last year blasting had cost £2466. This was only for blasting, material and wages—the dredging was extra. There, was a great amount of mud just below the bridge which needed shifting. They should endeavor to make all the wharf available for use. Mr. Alatthewson seconded. If there were 20ft of water they would never get the intercolonial steamers into the river. The Overseer said there were a good many parts of the river in which there was a depth of 12ft., but if blasting was discontinued these deep places -would be of no use.

The Chairman asked members not to pass the resolution. He felt sure that if they could guarantee 18ft. of water in the river steamers drawing up to that would come in. At

present there was an opinion among shipping peoplo that only boats of 8 to 10ft. draught could get in. If blasting was discontinued tho value if a great deal of work done in tin past would ho lost. It was useless to drodgo near the bridge if tho lower reach of the river was to he allowed to continue shallow, and lie asked members to consider tho matter from a business standpoint. No! long ago they had boon advised to blast away the groyne,but file groyne bad been the vary best thing.;in tlie river works—there would iiftfidhe the still water there at present was but. for it. Tlio work of blasting could be discontinued»at any time if it was found .advisable. Timaru had got tli£, largest vessels in to the a barf because they took the trouble .to vrect an. extension jif the break•watoff'to dredge.tin;-hljiinnel in the barbon-aijjj, dredge the ■ Hip Iwi'rbor. If the idvitih"#® had. been taken in tho pifsi^lfi^rlycr“'AipJihl now only have depth!, of about 8 feet. Even when tluv i ‘outer harbor was built the river' would still he used. For dealing with rook the. figures quoted by Mr. Jysnar were very moderate. Mr Clark said be agreed in the main with tlio.. Chairman. They were certainly going to have an. outer harbor; but until tlio plans were approved and the work definitely decided on, none of tlio work in tho river should bo discontinued. He would like an estimate of the cost of making the. depth of the river uniform. The Overseer said such an estimate could be supplied at small cost and trouble.

Mr Sievwright said that for all money expended they bad got good value. The depth of the river should bo made uniform ; but it might be advisable to consider well the doing of any further work. Tho Overseer said ho would guarantee 12ft. of water at low tide within a year.

Captain Tucker said they seemed further away from the outer harbor than they were a few months ago. From present appearances it seemed as if the harbor would not he built within five years. Air Lysnar said about £IO,OOO a year was at present being spoilt on the river, and if the Board was honest in the matter of the outer harbor it would not be honest to the ratepayers if it continued to spend this sum in the river. Blasting should he stopped until Air "Wilson's report was received. It would do no harm to leave the rocks and there was a lot of mud which needed shifting. Near, the bridge the river was only about three feet deep. The motion was put and lost, only Messrs Lysnar and Matthcwsou voting for it.