HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2230, 30 June 1908, Page 1

HARBOR BOARD.

ANNUAL MEETING. Tho statutory annual mooting oF tho Gisborne Harbor Bonrd was Jicld yesterday. Present: Tho Chairman (Mr. J. Townley). Messrs J. Clark, AV. ’I). Lysnnr, Hepburn, Alatthowson, and F. Harris. Tho Chairman moved that the Board instruct tho solicitor to draw tip on agreement as to tho terms of engagement of Mr. Leslio Reynolds to report on the outer harbor site, Mr. Reynolds to sign the agreement. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT. The Chairman read the following report upon the year’s work of the Board;

‘ ‘X have the ‘honor of laying before you the Annual Statement of Receipts and Exopdituro for tho year ended 31st December, 1907, which has been duly audited and certified to by the Auditor-General. The total receipts from all sources,, including a credit balance of JL‘42l3 10s with which tho year was started amounted to £28,213 Is I.Od. Tho total expenditure amounted to- £20,261 18s 2d, leaving a credit .balance of £l9lß 3s 8d on tho 31st- December, 1907. On the 7th June, 1907, the amended tariff came into force, which had the effect of considerably decreasing tho amount receivable for wharfages, and increasing the amount collectable by H.M. Customs for port charges and harbor master’s fees, and a reference to the balance-sheet will show 'members the decrease and increase respectively. On flub application of the UjS.S. Company at a special mooting of tho Board on the 25th November, 1907, a reduction was made with respect to port charges on inter-colonial boats, t<> come into force as from Ist J uiuary, 190 S. During tho year the dredge “John Townley” has been kept constantly at work dredging the channel, and has taken out to sea 45,710 cubic yards of rock, mud and sand. Blasting in the river was stopped by resolution of the Board passed 23rd .December, 1907. at that dale vessels drawing lift could got up to the Town Wharf. I SHED AND WHARF ACCOMMODATION. “The shed and wharf accommodation being found to ho quite inadequate to cope with the. rapidly increasing business of the port, the Board authorised tho Overseer to remove the old No. 3 shed and stockyard, to lengthen tho wharf, and reclaim the ground behind, and on this to erect a new commodious shed and stockyard ,which was completed early in this year, and since then has been die favorito berth for tho Squall, Toroa, etc. . OIL LAUNCH. “‘Tho Board having decided that an oil launch was necessary for the use of the Harbor Master, tenders were called, and on the 10th June the tender of Chas. ißaily, junr., boat builder ,of Auckland, was accepted. This boat, which- is fitted with Jersey City Standard engine from Home, 12 h.-p.. working up to 16, is 35ft long and Bft beam. HAITI .BREASTWORK AND WHARF. “It having been decided this work should ho done by day labor, tenders were called for the supply of the necessary totara and kauri timber, and Messrs Evans, Nield and Co.’s tender for totara, and (Messrs Peacocke and Co.’s tender for- kauri were respectively accepted. After the plans had been approved by the Marine Department and the piles- -had come to hand, .a start was made with the breastwork from the Haiti bridge to the creek, and when' this was closed in the sand pump whioh had been purchased from 'Messrs Nelson Bros, was put into commission pumping mud and silt to fill in the space between tho breastwork and the road. WAITING ROOM.

“For the convenience of passengers waiting at the wharf for the arrival or departure of steamers, the Board decided to erect -a waitingroom on the Board’s section between this office -and tho offico of the Gisborno Slieepfarmers’ Frozen Meat Co., which has been- erected -by Messrs Evans, Neild -and Co., and will bo a very great convenience to the travelling public. SHELTER SHED. “At the request of the Wharf Laborers’ Union, a contract has been, let to the above firm for the erection of -a room for tho use of -men waiting for employment in connection with shipping at the wharf or roadstead. 'METAL. “In order to metal the reclaimed land belonging -to tho Board along the wharves and 'approaches, tho Board Tiave let a contract to Mr. E. Hapgood for the cartage of 1000yds of broken Patutahi metal. EE RATES. “At a meeting of the Board on the 24th June, the presented an estimate of receipts and expenditure from that date to the 31st December, 1907, showing a prob-ablo credit balance, without tho necessity of strking a rate. The Board unanimously decided to adopt tho same, and this course was fully justified, -as shown"by tho balance sheet within. OUTER HARBOR. “In February, 1907, Mr. F. W. March ant forwarded to tho Board his report on tho “Outer Harbor.” As a partner in tlie eminent firm of Messrs Goode, Son and Matthews (Mr. Wilson) was in the colony under an engagement with the Lyttelton Harbor Board, -ft - 'was decided (by permission of the -above Board) to aslc -him to visit. Gisborne, inspect site, etc., and furnish the Board with a report on Mr. Marchant’s scheme. This gentleman arrived hero on tho 6th March, and made -a careful examination of tlie site of the proposed harbor, together with a general enquiry into tlie -local- conditions of wind, sea, and weather, as affecting the works. He also personally inspected tho quarry at Waihirerc -and subsequently mot the Board at which the general scope of his enquiry was discussed, -and it was decided that his report should be limited to tho consideration of Mr. Marchant's scheme, and any modifications thereof,. which- might suggest themelves, the capabilities of further expansion in tlie matter of quay space being especially kept in view. As Mr. Wilson was particularly anxious to have a personal conference with Mr. Marcbant.. tho Board arranged wil-h Mr. Marcliant to meet him in Auckland, and subsequently this meeting took place and the question was fully discussed in all its bearings. ENABLING BILL.

“The 'Board having decided to apply last session for an Enabling Bill whereby they were empowered to borrow the. sum of £400,000 to enable them to pay off any balance of the old loan of £200,000 at maturity in Nov. 1915 not provided for by the

thou accrotions of sinking fund, etc., and ulso to construct an outer.harbor if”the same was sanctioned by the ratepayers, a sub-committee was appointed to act,in conjunction with tho F Board’s solicitors to draw up a Bill I which was duly advertised and proi sonted to tho House,, and referred , to tho 'Local -Bills Committee. Mr. • W. D Lysnnr was appointed by the Board to collect all tho necessary evi- ' donco ,aml to proceed to Wellington to support, tho Hill. This -he did, taking Mr.'lf. A. -Barton to assist him. Tlie Bill was strongly opposed by the representatives of Tologa- Riding and Waiapu County, and it was finally agreed that Waiapu County should bo excluded from the proposed rating area, but a provision giving the Board power to charge -a different! d rate was included, mid after several other amendments suggested by M r H. D. 801 l tho {Bill was ultimately passed on the 23rd November, 1907. The Board unanimously passed a resolution thanking Messrs 801 l and Lysnnr for tho services they had rendered, and with regard to the latter -gentleman, for Die time and money he had gratuitouslydovotod ing getting tho Bill ultimately passed. STATISTICAL RETURNS. Detailed statements are annexed hereto giving tho fullest -information as under:—(l) Summary of Accounts of loan funds in tho hands of the Public Trustee from 1897 to 1907. when (ho unexpended balance of Loan, liOan Redemption, Reserve Fund, and Sinking Funds, as on 31st December, 1907, amounted to the sum of £llB,BlB 10s 2d. (2) Statement showing annual receipts from all sources and expenditure from .1885 to 1907. (3) -Details of recoipts, wharfages, port charges, rates -and sundries, under the head of general etc., and rates in the preceding statement. (4) Return of -number and tonnage of vessels entered from 1881 to 1907. This- shows tho incrcaso in number of vessels last year, compared with 1884, was 358, and tho tonnage during the same period had increased 500,531 tons. (5) Statement of total tonnago of -imports and exports from 1902 to 1907. (0) Statement showing number of sheep depastured in tho Counties of Cook and Waiapu from 1879. to 1908. (7) Return showing amount of cargo Jig- 1 litoml inward and outward for tho year ending 31st Docomber, 1907, and the amount of cargo landed and ship- ' pod without lighterage for the same 1 period. (8) Return of Customs dut- ,1 les and values import and export, woo] and- frozen mutton exported from 1884 to 1907. showing the groat : progress of the Port. Tho Customs ' duties havo increased from £11,607 s in 1884, to £40,532 in 1907. The val- < ue of imports has -risen from £31,722 in 1881, t 0 £123,865 in 1907. Tho value of oxports has advanced from i £80,501 in 1881, to £993,371 in 1907. . lhe wool oxported in 1884 was 2,224,- , 9901b5, valued at £79,900. In 1907 J was 1 4,840,9591b5, valued at £667, - 806. lEe frozen mutton export commenced in 1890 with 14.S58cwt, vnlu- < ed at £18,471. .In 1907 -it was 185,- 1 502 cwt, valued -at £255,957.” c Tho balance slieofc showed that the 1 total receipts for 1907 were £29,999. 1 The total tonnage : Steamers 612,171, i sailers 14,799, or a total of 020,908 C tons, as against 620,158 tons in 1906 T The exports totalled 26,053 tons, and f the imports 60,247 tons, tho t lightered tons, and tho cargo c wharfed 37,573 tons. The increase of ' trade of various ports in tho Domin- 1 ion during tho past- ten years -was: 2 Timaru 138 per cent,, Gisborne 132 C per cent,, Wellington 106 por ce-nt., t Napier 93 per cent., Auckland 85 per \ cent.. Invercargill 79 per cent., Ly- t ttelton GS per cent., Dunedin 50 per cent.

iho report and balance-sheet was adopted.

The Chairman moved that the bal-ance-sheet be published in tho press aiid tho report and balance-sheet printed and published. Tho motion was carried.

The annual meeting then closed ORDINARY MEETING.

The ordinary meeting or the Board was then held, the same members being present. The secretary fo tlie P.B. Rugby Luion asked the Board to join in tho reception to the visiting British football team on Saturday next.—Tho invitation was accepted. On the motion of Mr. Lysnat the Board decided to join tlie Employers Association. Mr. Lysnar drew attention to the face that all ratepayers who had not. Paid their rates by July 16th would bo disfranchised from voting at the Board’s elections. The Clerk (Mr. Witty) read the following estimates for the second half of the current year:— RECEIPTS. rWharfages, 6 mouths, say ... 4500 I’ort Charges, 6 months, say... 3125 Sundries, 6 months, say ... 200 Rout, 6 months, say ... ... 410. Total £8265 EXPENDITURE. Harbor Maintenance Account. Salaries 610 Gas, office expenses, election, property account, bridges, valuation rolls! etc. ... ... 090 Total - ... ' ... £I3OO Harbor Improvements, 1908. Salaries ... 200 Wages—“ John Townley” ... 500 Wages—General Account ... 1300 Materials, repairs, etc. ... 1500 Total 3500 Interest on £200,000 November 5000 Total Harbor Maintenance A/c 1300 Grand Total ... ... £9BOO Overdraft—£ls3s. The Chairman said the Board would have to consider whether a rate would be required to carry on the work during the balance of the year. He was against striking a rate, and moved in that, direction. Mr., Matthewson seconded tlie motion, which was carried. The question of reducing the port charges was then considered, the Chairman stating that he did not think- a reduction could be made, as the Board had decided not to strike a rate. For the year ending June 6th, 1908, £10,063 l&s Od had been received in wharfages as against £14,513 15s 8d for the same period last year, or a decrease of £3519 17s, while the port charges had increased by £1136 16s lid. leaving a net increase, of only -CSBG 9s 2d under the new tariff. Ho moved that no reduction be made in the port charges. Air. Lysnar said it was out of the question to reduce port charges, but the Board might make a reduction in harbor-master’s fee to intercolonial boats only. - Before the Board could do anything it would be necessary to have a report showing the amount on intercolonial boats and Home-trading boats.

The Secretary was instructed to draw out a statement and report to tho next meeting. Mr. Bruce, Greymfwtli, wrote offering a dredge for sale, and if was decided not to entertain the offer, Air. Lysnar stating that the dredges at work at present were able to keep the channel clear. REPORTS. Tho Harbormaster (Captain Gumming) reported that the lower part of the liver channel had silted up considerably during the month, the soundings being at tho end of the breakwater lift Gin, Suark’s landing 7ft, big crane Bft, new wharf Gl't to Bft, town wharf Gl't to Off, and-Haiti wliarf sft to Bft; 39 steamers and !) •sailing ships had arrived, and 38 steamers and 8 sailing ships had left the port during the month. The report was adopted. The Overseer (Air. I). McLeod) reported : As ordered by your last meeting, fenders have been fixed along the town wharf, and steps erec'ted near tho bridge; also 150 feet of the western groyne from outer end along tho river face is being protected with tho white pine log fenders which wo had in stock for two years. Should you consider it necessary to further extend thoso fenders it will bo necessary to order some, more white pine logs; or if you think well, could use some of the turpentine Jogs now in stock. The Haiti wharf extension is progressing satisfactorily; 120 ft of main piling lias been added this month, and 150 ft of sheet piling. The delivery pipes for auction dredge have come to hand, and with somo of them in commission, a start was made last Tuesday in midstream, where, owing to there being no driftwood or rubbish, tho pump’s output of spoil is quite double what is was when working closer into the wall. The John Townley lias taken 30 loads of spoil to sea this month. Stone and

gravel removed from the Haiti beach this month amounted to 404 loads as per tickets. The master of tlie John Townley (Captain G. P. Solvandor) reported that since last meeting the dredge had been constantly employed, with tho exception of two days, not being able to go out owing to a heavy gale and heavy sea in tho bay. The amount of spoil taken out was 1075 cubic yards of sand from along tho breakwater, and 2300 cubic yards mud from various places between the slip and town wharf; in all 3375 cubic yards. Tho dredge was to bo , placed on the slip on Wednesday, the Ist July, for annual inspection. Mr. Lysnar moved that the Overseer report as to the cost of strengthening tho. -wharf on the western side of the river.—The motion was carried, and tho Board adjourned. PORT RETURNS. Tho following statement, showing the imports and exports during the month of May, was laid on the table during the meeting:— IMPORTS. Timber 602,785 ft, posts and strainers 11,874, bricks 113,300. lime 37-J tons, cement 125 casks and 410 bags, coal 713 tons, horses and cattle 36, bales of wool’ (coastal) 2, grass seed 10 sacks, potatoes 1768 sacks, oats 2860 sacks, chaff 1801 sacks, wheat 60 sacks, malt 100 sacks, bran and pollard 198 sacks, oatmeal 10 tons, flour 136 tons, sugar 61 tons, salt 65 tons, kerosene and benzine 1817 cases, fruit. 37 tons, beer and stout 51 hogsheads, 197 cases, 3 kilderkins, 11 barrels, and 1 keg; wines 74 cases, 2 quarter casks and 2 octaves; spirits 642 cases, 9 quarter casks and 3 octaves; house blocks 670 lineal feeG wire 560 tons; miscellaneous 1315 tons measurement. EXPORTS.

Butter 569 cases, mutton 35,644 carcases, lamb 10.001 carcases, meat sundries. 216 toils, preserved meats 99 cases, pelts 83 tons, tallow ]36 tons, casings 7 tons, hides 2156, sheepskins 00. manure 116 tons, wool 523 bales, slice]) 6053, horses and cattle 7, grass seed 5 sacks, barley 23 sacks, chaff 27 sacks, honey 1 ton; miscellaneous 29G tons measurement.