LYTTELTON HARBOR BOARD.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 935, 23 June 1877, Page 3

LYTTELTON HARBOR BOARD.

A meeting of this Board was held yesterday. Present —Hon. E. Richardson (chairman), Hon. JV Hall, Messrs Cunningham, Anderson, Rouse, Wright, Craig, Sawtell, Harman, and Aynsley. t chairman’s statement.

The Chairman said the recent fire in Lyttelton had demolished the old export shed, and had also damaged the decking of the breast work between the Intermediate and Lighterage jetties. A report from the resident engineer ns to the cost of repairing the damage would be read, and also a report from Capt. McLellan as to the measures taken at the time of the fire to stop its course. It would be desirable that the G-oyernment should carry out the necessary repairs to the breastwork, the Board paying the actual cost. He thought the Board should mark their appreciation of the special exertions made by Capt. McLellan, and several others, who worked on the breastwork at the time of the fire, endeavouring to save the property of the Board. A sale of the debris on the store site look place the day before yesterday, and the debris on the shed site is to be removed within a week. He had authorised Capt. McLellan to employ a boat and a couple of men to recover the sheet iron which was thrown into the harbor at the time of the fire. The work would take a couple of days to complete. He would ask the Board to confirm his action in tins case. He had a report from Mr Turpin on the question of using the pumps of the hopper barges in the event of another fire on the wharves. Letters from the General Government have been received, and would be read, on the following subjects Relative to the Bill for vesting the harbour reserves in the Board; relative to the erection of the piling at the end of the breakwater; and relative to the Lyttelton water supply, and the proposed erection of an additional reservoir. With regard to the latter, he" might say that he met the Mayor of Lyttelton, and concurred in the reply which it is proposed to send, and which has appeared in the papers. With regard to the resolution passed by the Board at their last meeting, re delay in the discharge of ships in Lyttelton, he had addressed a letter on the subject to the Minister for Public Works, and also furnished a copy of it to Mr Conyers, who was recently in Christchurch. A letter would he read from the Time Ball keeper as to the necessity of obtaining a transit instrument through the aid of the Astronomical Society which was established in Christchurch some years ago. The matter was one worthy of the Board’s consideration. With respect to the letter from the National Bank of New Zealand, which was read at the last meeting, the treasurer had called on the manager, and he had now made such arrangements as will meet the Board s requirements as regards the (payment of monyes to their credit in Lyttelton. Telegrams from the General Government, on the subject of store sites in Lyttelton, would be read. The subject matter of them would, doubtless, be considered by the committee proposed to be appointed to report on harbour improvements. Mr Nalder had accepted the terms of his engagement as solicitor to the Harbour Board, as decided on by the Board at their last meeting. It would be necessary to appoint him under seal of the Board. The wharfage dues for April, amounting to £lsll 19s 7d, had been paid to the Board’s credit, and, although the accounts for those of May are not sufficiently completed to make out a voucher, he was advised that they amount to £1732 2s 6d, less commission for collection. A letter from Dr. Coward, the coroner, with, reference to the late fatal accident to the engineer of the Piako, and to the desirability of nettings to be placed below the gangways, woidd be read. lie understood that in Melbourne masters of vessels were bound to supply themselves with these nettings. The laying the gas pipes to the end of the Officers’ Point Breakwater was proceeding, and wall probably be completed within a fortnight. The unsettled weather and uncertain tides have greatly retarded the work. The spoon dredging at the mouth of the Oxford street culvert was commenced yesterday, under the supervision of Mr Derbid<'c. Live men will bo employed on the work. The time ball site fencing was proceeding satisfactorily ; the hard labor gang are more than able to keep pace with the contractor. The dredge was placed in her new position between the moles on Monday, the 11th instant. The time taken up in shifting her, together with the rough weather during the past three weeks, had militated

against her doing so much work as she did during the preceding month, added to which she was working for a couple of days with only one barge, the boiler of the Heathcote having given out, and a fresh plate had to be put in. Mr Nancarrow was in Lyttelton at the time and saw the boiler, and stated that the flaw was not caused by neglect of those in charge of the machinery, but by defective construction in the first instance. Some time since the Board called for tenders for a crane for the dredge, but no tenders were sent in. Mr Turpin was then authorised to obtain the necessary material for making one, and to construct it with his own staff. He had done so, and the crane was now erected and in use on board. The cost, including material and labor, would not exceed £3O. This result was satisfactory, as the original estimate for this crane was £6O. The “ terms of engagement” of the staff of Harbor Department and dredge barges, had been signed, with one exception, namely, that of John Leys, engineer to the hopper barge Sumner. He declined to sign the agreement, and the chairman, therefore, had no alternative but to recommend that the Board give him a month’s notice, from July Ist. With regard to the spare winch for the dredge, which the Board at their last meeting authorised him (the chairman) to procure from Melbourne, or elsewhere, he had caused enquiry to be made here and in Dunedin, and found that no suitable one was procruable, unless it was made to order. Mr Turpin had prepared the plan and specification which were on the table, and he proposed to call for tenders for it. He was of opinion that the Board should pass a resolution directing the attention of the Government to the necessity either of keeping their steam fire engine in Lyttelton, or that a locomotive engine should be kept at night in Lyttelton. It would also be well to impress on the Government the necessity of taking immediate steps to secure telegraph communication between Lyttelton and Christchurch at night. Reverting to the remarks which lie had made at the last meeting on the subject of Peacock’s Wharf, he would again press on the Board the necessity of taking immediate steps to obtain possession of that wharf. So long as this private interest remained it placed the Board at a great disadvantage in regard to the management of the harbour and wharves. He had received that day from Mr Croll a report on the steam -tug Titan, which would be read. He had also received a communication to-day from Messrs Montgomery and Co. relative to delay to the brig Emperor ■with coal, by short supply of trucks, the vessel taking 15 days to discharge 500 tons of coal. This subject had already been brought under the notice of the Government in his letter of June sth to the Minister for Public Works. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £27 8s 9d were passed and ordered to be paid. THE LATE EIRE IN LYTTELTON. A report by Captain McLellan on the recent fire in Lyttelton was read, in which lie spoke in very high terms of the assistancejrendered by the captain and crew of the Isle of France. A letter was read from Mr Turpin, the superintending engineer of the dredges, in reply to a question whether thfe donkey engines of the hoppers Heathcote and Sumner could be made available in case of fire. He stated that the pumps could be utilised for the purpose spoken of if new unions and hose were supplied. Dr Rouse said he desired to state that had it not been for the exertions of Captain McLellan the jetty certainly would have been destroyed. He thought that the Board should recognise the services of Captain McLellan in some way. Mr Wright was of opinion that they ought to recognise the services of the men mentioned by Captain McLellan in a substantial way. Mr Cunningham agreed with the remarks of Mr Wright. He thought that the Board should recognise the efforts of the men. Dr. Rouse would move “ That the sum of £lO be placed at the disposal of the Board for distribution amongst those assisting in fe he prevention of the destruction of the property of the Board. That the thanks of the Board be given to Captain McLellan, the captain and crew of the barque Isle of France, and others for their efforts on the occasion of the late fire.” Mr Sawtell seconded the motion. Mr Cunningham moved “ That the engineer in charge of the dredges and barges be requested to instruct the masters of the barges to hold themselves in readiness to get up steam on the occasion of a fire in Lyttelton, and then to proceed to place themselves under the orders of the Harbor Master. That a further supply of hose and unions be ordered for the dredges.” Mr Harman seconded the motion, which was agreed to. NEW HARBOR BILL. A letter was read from the Under-Secretary of Public Works, stating that so soon as the new clauses amending the Lyttelton Harbor Board Bill were prepared and incorporated in the new Bill, a copy would be forwarded to the Board for its information. WATER SUPPLY TO SHIPPING-. A letter was read from the Minister for Public Works suggesting that the railway authorities should take over the management of the waterworks machinery, with the addition of the construction of a reservoir to cost £2500, which would provide for the supply of the shipping. The cost of the maintenance of the works to be borne by the Harbor Board, the Corporation, and the railway, in proport ion to the amount used. The cost of the reservoir he proposed to be divided between the Corporation of the town and the Harbour Board. If the latter agreed as to the proposition, the Government would take steps in have the reservoir erected. The Chairman said that he believed the letter had been written under a complete misapprehension of the matter. Some years ago he, as member for Lyttelton, had moved in conjunction with Mr Webb in this matter, and it was resolved that the sum of £II,OOO should be voted for the erection of waterworks on condition that the town undertook the distribution of the water through the town. Hon John Hall said this was merely a resolution stating what was to be done. What they wanted to know was what actually had taken place. Dr Rouse said that the matter had been put before the Council by a number of letters, amongst others one from the Secretary of Public Works stating that the Government intended to hand over the works to the town, and that the entire revenue arising therefrom should be the property of the town. Hon. John Hall moved—“ That before any reply be given to letter of the Minister for Public Works it is desirable that the Board should be supplied with copies of all correspondence, showing the terms upon which the

erection of waterworks for the town of Lyttelton has been carried out.” Mr Wright seconded the motion. Mr Aynsley said he would move as an amendment—-'“That the chairman and the Mayor of Lyttelton be appointed as a subcommittee to inquire into the subject of the terms of the water supply to Lyttelton, and also to take what action they may think necessary to obtain all correspondence and memoranda with regard to the subject for the future guidance of the Board.” Mr Sawtell seconded the amendment. Mr Wright pointed out that Mr Aynsley’s amendment meant that they should spend some £2500 as requested by the Government, The Board would have to consider whether they would bo prepai-ed to go into this. Mr Rouse said lie felt sure the Council would not agree to any expenditure at all. Mr Cunningham would desire to remind the Board that they were now asked to expend money for no practical purpose, as they now got the revenue without the expenditure of anything. Hon. John Hall thought that the wording of Mr Aynsley’s amendment pledged the Board to the expenditure of this money, as asked for by the Government. After some further discussion, Mr Aynsley consented to amend his resolution by the addition of the following words after the words “ such action as they may deem necessary,” viz: “ But the Board declines to pay any money on this account until further advised. The sub-committee to obtain all correspondence, &c., for the future guidance of the Board.” The amendment was put and carried. TIME BALL. A letter was read from Mr Joyce, the time-ball keeper, suggesting than an astronomical clock should be procured, so that time might be given correctly. At present he received time very irregularly from Wellington. Hon. John Hall thought it would be very undesirable to disturb the present state of things. If it was necessary he felt sure they could make arrangements for the transmission of time more regularly from Wellington. He would move—“ That the chairman be requested to ascertain whether the irregularities of furnishing the correct time to the time-ball keeper at Lyttelton from Wellington cannot be remedied.” Mr Wright seconded the motion, which was carried. STORES IN LYTTELTON. Telegrams were read from the Government as follows, relative to reclamation of land in Lyttelton Harbor ; —“ Government, considering advisability of reclaiming at Lytteljon for sites to let for building stores on n connection with the railway reclamation, would have to be either beyond Peacock’s Wharf or between Gladstone Pier and the boat landing place. As proposed reclamation may affect plans of the Board, I shall be glad to receive views of Board as to best site. — J. 1). Ormond.” “ Referring to my telegram of 9th June re reclamation of land at Lyttelton for sites for stores, I should be glad to receive soon opinion of the Board. The Engineer-in-Chief strongly urges that the ground between the Gladstone Pier and the boat landing place will be required at no distant date for extension of railway station. He recommends site for stores beyond Peacock’s Wharf.—J. H. Ormond.” “Referring to former telegrams re reclamation for sites for stores at Lyttelton, it is now determined to provide for those sites for present wants by letting on building leases all the available space fronting Norwich Quay. Sites for four or five stores will be available, and early arrangement will be made for letting.—J. D. Ormond.” The telegrams were referred to the committee. THE LATE ACCIDENT IN LYTTELTON. A letter was read from the Coroner, conveying the suggestion of the jury on the recent drowning case off the ship Piako, that nets should be spread under the gangways of ships lying at the piers. Mr Harman would move, “ That a regulation be suggested to the Government that nets be provided by the ships lying at the wharves. Mr Cunningham thought they could do what was required far more effectually. If the vessels would not provide means for saving the lives of those coming to the port the Board should. What he would suggest was that the Board should provide say twelve gangways with two handrails, which would very much lessen the chance of accidents. He also desired to see the outer circle to the Gladstone Wharf fenced in, as it was most dangerous. The matter was referred to the committee on the management, &c., of the wharves and piers. SOLICITOR TO THE BOARD. The appointment of Mr Haider as solicitor to the Board was sealed with the seal of the Board. THE STEAM TUG TITAN. A report was read from Mr George Croll as to the towing capabilities of the steam tug Titan, and the horse-power of that vessel. Mi’ Aynsley moved—“ That the Board having had under consideration the report of Mr G. Croll on the steam power of the tug Titan, direct that the balance of the subsidy duo to Messrs Cameron Brothers for steam tug service be paid over to them on their executing an agreement satisfactory to the Board.” Mr Cunningham seconded the motion, which was agreed to. THE OFFICERS OF THE BOARD. Respecting the proposed action of the chairman as regarded Mr Leys, the engineer of the dredge, it was resolved to approve of the month’s notice to be given to that officer from Ist July next. STEAM FIRE ENGINE IN LYTTELTON. The Chairman moved—" That the chairman write to the Government, asking that the steam fire engine might be kept in Lyttelton ; or failing this, that a locomotive engine be kept m Lyttelton. Further, that telegraphic communication be available during the night between Christchurch and Lyttelton.” Mr Wright thought that looking to the very large amount of valuable property in Lyttelton, the Government should provide a special fire engine for Lyttelton, similar to the one in Christchurch. Mr Aynsley agreed with the remarks of Mr Wright. Mr Wright hen moved —“ That in view of the largo amount of public and private property at the Lyttelton station, it is the duty of the Government to provide a steam fire engine specially for the use of the Lyttelton station. Further, that the Government should bo icqucstcd to take such steps as may secure telegraphic communication between Lyttelton and Christchurch during the night.” Mr Anderson said that, after the large fire at Lyttelton, it was arranged that a person should sleep in the telegraph office. However,

at the time of the recent fire, it appeared that this regulation had not been carried out, as communication could not be obtained. Mr Harman seconded the motion, which was agreed to. REPAIRS TO BREASTWORK. On the motion of Mr Harman, it was resolved—“ That the Q-overnment be requested to call for tenders for the repairs necessary to be made to the breastwork. Such tenders to be submitted to the Board.” INCREASED HARBOR ACCOMMODATION. The Hon. John Hall, pursuant to notice, moved—“ That it is desirable that the Board should, at an early date, proceed to take into consideration the question of improvements required in Lyttelton Harbor, with a view to arriving at a well matured and comprehensive plan upon which all future works should be carried out. That to assist the Board in this consideration a committee be appointed to collect and arrange information upon the subject, and make such recommendations to the Board as they may consider expedient. That such committee consist of the Chairman, Mr Harman, Mr Cunningham, and the mover.” The very marked increase in their exports during the past few years necessitated some steps being taken to improve the harbor, which had to serve as an outlet for the export of grain, &c., of the province. In arriving at the plan which should be adopted, he wished to see that their proposals should be put before the public, so that they might have the benefit of public opinion on the subject. If it was found necessary to employ an engineer to enable the committee to arrive at a correct conclusion, ho should like to see them have the necessary power given to them to do so. As instancing the rapid progress of the province in the matter of exports, he might give the Board a few figures for the years 1869, 1873, and 1877. In 1869 the export of wheat was 723,000 bushels ; in 1873, 1,487,000 ; in 1877, 2,623,000. Of oats, the export in 1869 was 713,000 bushels ; in 1873, 897,000 bushels; and in 1877, 2,031,000. The number of acres in wheat and oats in 1877 was as follows : Wheat, 92,000; oats, 70,000, or a total of 112,000. The number of acres of land sold by the Crown amounted to 2,300,000. Mr Harman seconded the motion. Without the removal of the difficulty which now presented itself in the shape of Peacock’s wharf being in private hands the Board were hampered botli on shore and afloat. The motion was then put and carried. NEXT MEETING. On the motion of Mr Sawtell, it was resolved that the next meeting be held in Christchurch. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr Harman to move —“ That notice for the resumption of possession of Peacock’s wharf be given in accordance with clause 6 of Peacock’s Wharf Ordinance, session VIII, Ho. 9.” Mr Harman to move —“ That a committee be appointed to consider the question of a harbor improvement rate with a view to its confirmation at as early a date as possible. Such committee to consist of the Hon. John Hall, Mr E. G. Wright, and the mover.”