THE OUTER HARBOR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2228, 27 June 1908, Page 2

THE OUTER HARBOR.

SPECIAL. MEETING OF THE BOARD. Mil. REYNOLDS ENGAGED TO REPORT. A special meeting of the Gisborne Harbor Board was held last evening to meet Air. Leslie Reynolds, C.E., who, on the motion of Air. W. D. Lysnar, was invited to come to Gisborne to report on the outor harbor sites. There were present the Chairman (Air. John Townlev), the Hon. Captain Tucker, Alessrs Sievwright, Whinray, Afatthewson, Harris, Hepburn, and AY. D. .Lysnar. ■ The Chairman read to Air. Reynolds the resolution carried at the last meeting of tho Board, under which Air. Reynolds was engaged, and explained that any member of the Board could put questions to the engineer bearing upon the report that was wanted.

Mr. Sievwright said he would like to see Mr. Reynolds havo a free hand. The Chairman said that Mr. Marchant’s and Sir John Coode, Son. and Matthews’ report would be placed before Mr. Reynolds.'

Mr. Reynolds said lie would give the best advice be could on all points, and unless be had a- free hand lie could not accept any engagement. Mr. Harris: Does Mr. Reynolds want a roving commission around the bay?

Mr. Reynolds: Not at all. I don't want to run the Board into needless expense, but to do all I oan for the district. Let the question of fee- be outside the matter.

Captain Tucker: Air. Reynolds’ words do him infinite credit, and I would be the last to bind him to four corners of any agreement. Air. Reynolds: I havo not read either report; but I will not consent to be told I am only to report upon this thing or that tiling. If I see any matter that should be reported upon I want a free band to do so. Air. Alatthewson: I will only be too pleased to hear anything Air. Reynolds lias to say outside the two reports, for I have every confidence in him. Air. Reynolds is a colonial, and he has as inucli brains as any imported man. Air. Reynolds: I want to give iny own report, and if the Board will not be satisfied with that, another engineer had better be engaged. Air. Lysnar said it was understood that Air. Reynolds was to consider both reports, and if he saw anything better than what was contained in the reports lie was at liberty to inform t-lio Board.

The Chairman then read the various points upon which a report was wanted. These included the range of tho site, tlie soundings, the quality of AVaihirere stone, the question of cost, and whether tho harbor would be suitable for ocean-going steamers. Air. Lysnar thought Air. Reynolds should be allowed to report upon other stone in the district.* Air. Reynolds said lie would attend to all points, and provide a full report. Captain Tucker asked Air. Reynolds wlrnt the report- would cost. Air. Reynolds: I will give you a fee, and you can discuss it- while I am outside. I will give a full report for 250 guineas, and if you don’t like that you can leave it. I will stake my reputation on the report-, Air. Reynolds then went outside.

Captain Tucker: I am not astonished at the fee. On the contrary I think it a very fair price. Tho question was, “Is it worth while to pay the fee?” I think it is, and I think the proper thing is to agree to the terms ut once.

Captain. Tucker moved that the terms be accepted, and Mr. Alatthewson seconded- tlie motion, which was carried.

The Ob airmail: Air. Reynolds will then have a free hand to report on the whole bay, and tell the Board tlie best site for a harbor. The Board then adiournecl.