LYTTELTON HARBOR BOARDS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 999, 7 September 1877, Page 2

LYTTELTON HARBOR BOARDS.

Thursday, September 6. The Board met at 2 p.m. Present—Mr R. J. S. Harman (in the chair), Hon. John Hall, Messrs D. Craig, E. G. Wright, P. Cunningham, J. Anderson, and Dr Rouse. chairman's statement. The Chairman said—Mr Turpin's report upon the dredging done during the month of August is now to hand, and it bears out the opinion I expressed at our last meeting, that the work for that month would exceed that done by the dredge in any previous month. It now appears that the number of barges loaded was 154, and the quantity of spoil lifted amounted to 27,720 cubic yards, or 38,500 tons. This is eleven barge loads, or 2750 tons in excess of any previous month. On Saturday last I received a letter from the Minister for Public Works, covering a copy of one addressed by him to the Lyttelton Borough Council upon the subject of the handing over to that body of the Lyttelton Water Supply Works. The letter is now on the table. In giving instructions for laying the gas pipes on to the extreme end of the Screw pile Jetty, I requested the Lyttelton Gas Company to have the gas pipes which were damaged by the late fire on the Breastwork replaced by others, and that the Board would pay the cost. The work, if left until after the decking is laid upon the Breastwork, would cost more than it would a'a present. I will, therefore, ask the Board to confirm my action in this matter. With reference to the proposed repairs and additions to the Time Ball building, I have to report that Mr Craig and Mr Cunningham inspected the building on Saturday last, and they will report to the Board the result of their visit." It remains for the Board to determine what further action shall be taken upon Mr Strouts's report on the subject, which was laid before them at their last meeting. The Board, I think, should consider well the proposal to apply a colored material to the outside walls for the purpose of preventing the damp coming through to the inside, before authorising anything to be done which might perhaps seriously affect marked features of the present building. The question of gangways for vessels, to be supplied by the Board, will be reported on by Mr Cunningham, to whom the matter was referred at our last meeting. I received, this morning, correspondence between our Chairman in Wellington and ihe Minister for Public Works relative to the obtaining His Excellency the Governor's general sanction to the proposed harbor improvements, as set forth in the report of the Harbor Board committee of 6th July last. The correspondence will be read to the Board. Since our last meeting a memorandum has been received from the Hon. Mr Richardson and Mr Murray-Aynsley on the subject of the proposed purchase of Peacock's Wharf j also an opinion from Mr Nalder upon the same subject. These documents will be read. As directed by the Board, I caused a letter to be addressed to Messrs Cameron Brothers upon the matter of their claim against the barque Malay. In reply to a telegram I sent to Mr Richardson on the subject of the Harbor Board Bill, he informed me that it was not yet distributed, but that copies would be sent down as soon as possible, REPORT, A report from Mr Turpin as to the dredging done during the month of August was laid before the Board and read. iXXTELTON WATERWORKS. A letter from the Minister for Public Works was rend respecting the handing over by the General Government of the Lyttelton Waterworks to the Borough Council. the breastwokk. On the motion of Mr Anderson it was resolved that the action of the acting chairman as to the repairs of the gas pipes oa the Breastwork be approved. THE TIME BALL BUILDING. Mr Craig made a report of the result of his visit of inspection to the Time £<*!} Tower,

Mr Craig moved —" That the additions and alterations necessary to the Time Ball Tower be proceeded with, the question of the best means of preventing the damp coming through the walls in the meantime being left in abeyance, and that the architect be requested to reconsider the position of the chimney for the kitchen." Dr Rouse seconded the motion, which was agreed to. THE GANGWAYS. Mr Cunningham stated that after making enquiries in this matter, he would recommend that the secretary be instructed to call for tenders for six gangways of similar design to the sample gangway already supplied. SCREW PILE JETTY. Mr Cunningham reported that he had held conference with the Harbor Master as to the leading lights for the Screw Pile Jetty, and had instructed him to have the three red lights erected as recommended. THE TUG STEAMERS. In reference to Mr Cunningham's letter to Sydney respecting the tug steamers for sale there, a reply was read from Messrs Learmonth and Dickenson. The acting chairman was requested to ascertain whether Captain McLellan would be prepared to proceed to England for the the purpose of obtaining and bringing out a suitable tug steamer for the Harbor Board. PURCHASE OF PEACOCK'S WHARF. The acting Chairman then proceeded to read the memo signed by the Hon E. Richardson [and concurred in by Mr Murray-Aynsley upon the subject of the proposed purchase of Peacock's wharf. After considerable discussion, in which Hon John Hall, Messrs Craig, Anderson, Wright and the Chairman spoke strongly in favor of the purchase being made, Hon John Hall moved—" That the resolution passed by the Board on the 17th August on the subject of the purchase of Peacock's Wharf be confirmed, subject to the necessary legal powers being obtained by the Board to complete sueh purchase." Mr Andera&n seconded the motion, which was agreed to, Mr Murray-Aynsley dissenting on the score of the amount proposed to be paid to Messrs Cunningham and Co. The resolution passed on the 17th August is as follows :—" That the Board adopt the report of the committee re Peacock's Wharf, and confirm their recommendation that Messrs Cunningham and Co be offered £20,000 for Peacock's Wharf and property connected therewith, and all rights and interests of the lessees therein." ADJOURNMENT. The Board then adjourned after having fixed the next meeting to be held at Christchurch at 2 p.m. on Friday next.