GISBORNE HARBOR BOARD

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2169, 27 August 1907, Page 1

GISBORNE HARBOR BOARD

A meeting of the Harbor Board was convened for yesterday afternoon. Only the Chairman (Mr. J. Townley), Messrs Sievwa'ight, F. Harris, and AVliinray put in an appearance. As thero was no quorum, the meeting resolved itself into a committee for consideration of reports and payment of accounts. HARBORMASTER’S REPORT. Captain Cumming, Harbormaster, reported: • : “Shelter Shed: Be a shelter shed for wharf laborers, I think the most convenient place for it would be along the bank opposite Dalgety’s store. “Shipping: Shipping since last meeting—Steamers., arrivals 33, departures 32; sailing ships, arrivals 10, departures 7. Moorages, lay days. Rambler, Zingara', and Kereru one day each ,and Coronation three days, £1 7s 7d..”

IvAITI BREASTWORK. “Fair progress is being made with the construction of the Kaiti breastwork,” reported the overseer of works ; “ICO feet of main piling has been driven, 100 ft of top and bottom walings fixed in position, and a start made last Saturday with the driving of the back sheeting piles. I expect, to have this work far enough advanced by the end of next month to make a start with the sand pump early in October. I would suggest that Messrs Nelson Bros be asked by vour Board to let their engineer, Mr. Hodge, come down to give us a little instruction when ready to start, as there are many little things in connection with a plant of this sort which might take ns some time to find out but which he could point out straight away, lie being conversant with the working of all its parts.” The Overseer did not anticipate any difficulty. It was agreed that if Mr. Hodge’s services are not available to consult Mr. Bobb, who had Peon working the sand pump. Mr. AVliinray asked how the turn would ho made when the crock was reached. The Secretary said the plan in hand was approved by tlio Marine Department. Air. McLeod, overseer, pointed out that, the wall wont along square the full length. . AVATER SERVICE. “1 understand,” reported the Overseer, “that, so far, no arrangements have been made with the works contractor for suitable connections to the pipes to bo laid along the wharves on hot’ll sides of the river for supply-

ing the shipping.” The Chairman said it would be necessary to arrange with the Borough Council regarding tho water supply. ~ , Mr. AVliinray thought it would.bo better to wait until the present contract- was completed. The Overseer considered it could bo done with less trouble at present. The Chairman said that at all events at was desirable to have a plan now of tho connections required, showing the size of tho pipes. The Overseer was instructed to have a elan prepared for next meeting.

DREDGING. Captain G. P. Solvaiuler, dredgemaster, rei>orted : —“Since last meeting the dredge John Townley has been constantly employed. The re•nioval of spoil is as follows • Front along the breakwater, mid-channel, 1600 yards sand; from various places along' the town wharf 4000 yards mud; total, 5600 yards. Mr. D. A. McLeod, overseer, reported:—“Tho John Townley has tlms month taken 60 loads of spoil .to sea, principally silt. The small dredge this month lifted 987 yards and 500 yards of rock, in all 1457 yards, which has been deposited on the eastern side of the viaduct. Numbers 1 and 3 blasting punts have been at work in different parts of the channel, as weather permitted, between the’mouth of the river and the downstream end of the town wharf.

GRAVEL. It was reported that the gravel and shingle removed from ICaiti beach during the month totalled 225 loads, as per (tickets submitted. ■ The Chairman mentioned that the Borough Council wished to he relieved of royalty on the shingle used for the road leading past the ICaiti wharf. Considering the expenditure on the road which would benefit shipping traffic, he thought the concession should be made— Agreed to. A DELAYED CONTRACT. Alessrs Peacoeke and Co. notified that they would bo unable to supply the kauri timber ordered for the ivaiti wharf until January next. It was explained that the tender was not accepted until nearly three months after it was sent m, and the firm, believing the Board intended to use jarrah, had sent advice to that effect to Auckland. Timber that was there in readiness for despatch had m consequence been sold, and no more conk now be obtained from the bush until the sunimor set in, as tlie bullocks could not work under present coiulitl<iMr. Harris: Did tlio firm sign the contract? , , . The Secretary : Yes, but they explained before doing so that they were not sure if they could now get the timber in time. In .reply to questions, the Overseer said ho* expected to have the other work done in October. Although he would not be ready before then tor the decking, there was other work, for which this timber was required, that might bo done simultaneously. Mr. Sievwriglit expressed tlio opinion that if the firm signed the contract it should be binding, even though the Board delayed accepting the tender. ~ , , , , The Chairman said lie had opposed accepting the contract'on the ground that it would be better to have the timber all in one lot, _ They must now make the best of it, and the delay would not be very serious. The contractors for totara also required a littlo time. } . The Secretary: The latter stipulated that in signing the contract. Discussion then dropped. NEXT MEETING. After the passing of accounts the Board adjourned for a fortnight.