HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2153, 31 March 1908, Page 1

HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING

Tho usual monthly'meeting of the Harbor Board was held in the Boardroom yesterday afternoon, when there wore present: Mr. J. Townley (chairman), lion. Captain Tucker, Messrs D. Mopburn, G. Matthewson, W. Siovwright, und J. AVliinray. COAST WOOL.f’ Tho first business of tho meeting .was to deal with the revision of tho tariff as regards coast wool. Tho Chairman stated that by-law No. 174 dealt with tho question of transhipping cargo, and .in view of that fact, and also on account of tho lateness of the season j ho moved that the present amended by-law, with regard to dumped wool landed in Gisborno bo allowed to lapse. After this motion had been Carried, the Chairman said that the matter could bo dealt, with in Juno, when tho wholo question of tariff would come up again.

CORRESPONDENCE. Regarding tho letters which had been sent to tho agents for the different shipping companies enclosing plans of tho proposed outer harbor, tho Secretary reportedthat replies had* been received, stating that tho plans and information had been forwarded to tlio Marino Superintendents,of tho different companies, and that the replies would-probably bo to hand for next meeting. The Stationmastor, Mr. H...J.Day, acknowledged the permission' granted by tho Board for the extension of tho railway lirie at tho wharf. Mr. F. J. Rowley, on behalf of tho School Bath Committee, wrote asking the Board to remit tho royalty on tho shingle which was being obtained from the Kaiti beach for tho construction of tho bath.—Some discussion followed* and in reply to a question tho Secretary stated that the amount of royalty was £7 10s. On the motion of the Hon.-Captain Tucker, it was finally decided- to insist on the payment of. the royalty, but that the Board should-, give a donation of £lO to tho fund. > REPORTS.

Tho report of tho Public Works Committee regarding the extension of the railway line, at the wharf, was received, and was adopted on' the motion of tho Chairman.

HARBORMASTER’S REPORT. The Harbormaster (Captain W. Gumming) reported that as the result of tho recent flood a lot of silt hud settled in the channel. Soundings taken on the 25th wero: End of breakwater 13ft Gin, third bollard 9ft, Snark’s landing 7ft, big crane Bft, Waikanae Bft Gin, middle of new wharf (30ft off) sft, town wharf 6ft to 9ft, Kaiti Wharf 6ft- to Bft. Shipping since last meeting: Inwards— Steamers 44, sailing vessels 15; moorages £2 19s 4d; lighter dues £l2 17s Gd. Re Wigham light buoy: Ho found it was too expensive, and would cost about £7OO by the time it was placed inquisition, in addition to wfiich there was the danger of its breaking away. Ho did not think the> Board would bo justified in going to the expense. The position of the present buoy, he pointed out, could .be shown by two inexpensive lights on Kaiti lull, near Mr. Scott,’s, who Would attend to thorn if the Board approved of the proposal, which would be of great assistance to shipmasters. OVERSEER’S REPORT. Tho overseer, Mr. -D. A. McLeod, reported that tho dredge John -Townley had taken 48 loads of spoil to sea during the month, whilst the small dredge had lifted 9GO yards of silt. The latter had .been on tho slip six days for repairs. Now that all tho papa rock blasted in tho channel had been' dredged, and as the spoil'overlying the rock channel consisted‘mostly of silt-, which to a great extent Was slushy and unsuitable for punting, ho recommended that dredging with the small dredge be discontinued. Spoil lifted by this dredge and deposited behind the breakwater cost Is per yard, whilst the John Townley shifted the same material for not more ’.than half this, fle recommended the use of a drag-saw in the channel. With tho exception of four days’ stoppage the suction dredge had been steadily at work. Before next ■meeting the" delivery .pipes would require' lengthening, and 250 ft more pipes would be required to command tho whole space between the town and Kaiti wharves. .He was of opinion the excavator could be made to cut down the whole of the papa rode between the two wharves by applying more .power, and adding two. mo it cutters to .it. The, two mud punts now in use would bo required to support the delivery pipe. Fair progress was being made with the wharf extension and return breastwork at the creek. Mr. Olding had finished laying the water pipes along tho Kaiti wharf. Mr. Habgood had delivered. 239 yards of broken stone, total 010 yards. The five last loads were of. a very inferior quality, and a great proportion only dust. A, total of 370 loads of shingle had been removed from the Kaiti beach. >

DREDGEMAriL'ER’S REPORT.

The dredgemaster (Mr. G. P, Solvaiid'er) reported that tlio dredge John Townley had lifted -1900 yards of sand during the month; having worked all hut two days. Some discussion took place on the Harbormaster’s , report respecting the buoy lights,'and. several members considered that they were Unnecessary, as the leading lights were sufficient. The Harbormaster, however, painted out that in dirty .weather ships experienced considerable difficulty in picking up the buoy and coining to an anchorage. •Mr. Wliinray suggested that luminous paint be used to paint the buoy, but tlio Harbormaster said that lie had tried it on other 'places, but that it was far too costly, and did not wear well. Mr. Wliinray suggested that a-.bell might be placed on the buoy. It was finally agreed to let the question of lights stand over in the meantime, but that if a new buoy should bo required, to purchase one fitted with a bell. , ' The Overseer recommended that the Hoard dispense with the services of the small dredge on account of the heavy cost, and the recommendation was adopted. Regarding the drag-saw, mentioned in liis report, designed to improve the channel, Mr. MoLeod explained his dovicc, which he claimed to be a • most simple one. He stated that the drag would be a square framework, in which 100 saws would be placed. The drag, would measure Bft Gin by about 9ft, and lie claimed that it would level the river bottom by cuttimr away the papa rook. ' It was his idea that the dredge John Townley could tow it aloiig the bottom of the channel when she was.going out

to sea, ’ and, leaving it at tho end of tho breakwater, pick it up on her return to ..the river. Several members expressed .themselves as decidedly against tho proposal; regarding it ns a mere waste of money. Tho Hon. Captain Tucker moved that the Overseer’s suggestion ho dropped. '.He considered that the proper* way to improve the river -was by blasting. Tho Chairman stated that if lie had •his way, blasting would bo resumed. Mr. AVhinray proposed as an amendment that the Ovorseor prepare -a report showing the actual condition of tho channel at present, and its width and depth to tho rock. The Chairman seconded tho amendment, which was carried, Mr. •Matthewson alone dissenting, declaring that it was another waste of monoy.

AVith regard to tho additional power required -for the excavator, mentioned in ■ the report, the Overseer was instructed to report to the Board as to what additions wero necessary. It was also decided to ascertain the cost of the 250 ft of piping as mentioned in the report.

On the motion of the Chairman, the. .Dredgemaster’s report was adojir ted, and after accounts amounting to nearly £7OOO had been passed for payment, the meeting adjourned.