LYTTELTON HARBOR BOARD.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1239, 25 February 1878, Page 3

LYTTELTON HARBOR BOARD.

The members of the Harbor Board held their fortnightly meeting on Friday afternoon at the Provincial Government Buildings. Present - The Hon. E. Richardson (chairman), the Hon. J. Hall, and Messrs P. Cunningham, tiarraan, E. G. Wright, Sawtell, D, Craig, C. W. Turner, Allwrjght. The minutes of the la,st meeting haying been read and confirmed, the following business was transacted:. — CHAIRMAN'ii STATEMENT. The Chairman, made the following statement : Harbour Office. Christchnroh, Feb. 22,1878. Acting under the Board's resolutions passed on the 81-h instant, I addressed letters to the Colonial Government on the subject of the railway tariff, and harbour defence respectively, I have not received a reply, but the members of the Board will probably have noticed in reference to the former subject that a modified railway tariff for wool and grain from Timaru and Washdyke was gazetted on the 18th instant. I received a letter from the Corn Exchange and Farmers' Club ,'ref erring to the action in the matter. The wiil be read. The Minister xov. Pnblic 'Works states, in reply to the ijpard's 'recommendation fox a 'JO-ton stbam crane tor the wharves}, that after due consideration the GoYGrotoent regret they do not see the;;' way to comply with the wishes of the Board. I may say, however, that the 5 and 10-ton derrick cranes have recently been re-erected in much wore convenient positions on tlie. bvcastwork. Mr Strouts, in a report which he made, recommends the application of a petrifyiug liquid to the northern wall of the time ball tower, which if successful, in keeping out the damp, ho would !±p!ply to. the rest of the tower. I y.ou)d'sy£gest that it be first apnli jd afl aft exbrriuieht to a very small portion of thi building which is out of sight, la reply to, a lett'-r. from the, Ejigineei'-in Chief, in reference to the o 'vrylng out certain additions to the jetties nccessitatpd by alterations in the Lyt. telton railway station, I stated that the Board de.-ired that the Government should carry out these additions, as the cost would be borne by them, but that the Board would expect to see the plans before the proposed wo.'ks were put hand. I have to report that %e. v,<ork df cleaning and painting feuge was compleW on the 11th infant, a"iid slie was without a.ny diffiwty Removed frpin the alio on that day. I'he repairs to h,{ir buokets." lardo-, Ac, are being {joshed forward with all possible despatch under Mr Turpin's supervision, and it is expected she will again resume work she was previc^ly-&" 1 - ployed at between the intermodiivte and lighter jetties by tho middle oi next week. The Heathooie, barge, has been on the slip, and the Sumner will probably coiuo off the slip to-day or to-

morrow. I only received one tender (J. Anderson's) for the 128 steel bushes authorised at our last meeting, the price being 5s 6d each. I propose to accept this offer, Mr Turpin reporting it to be a fair price. The printing the Harbor Board debHntures has been, put in hand by the committee, and it is proposed to forward the debentures to London via Suez on the lit i March, instead of by San Francisco on the 12th prox., as_ was at first intended. The committee appointed by you to arrange the terms of the sale of the Trust debentures, and for advances against them have had two intt rviews on the subject with the manager of the National Bank, and the committee now await his final answer. Applications for the offico of engineer to the B iard have been advertised for for the past fortnight, and the applications which have been received will be laid before you for consideration to-day. The borings which are being taken by Mr Derbidpe over the proposed graving dock site are nearly completed, and the result, so far as it has gone, is most satisfactory, as there is now no doubt that there is a rock foundation to be had all over the site, and at a comparativt ly small depth. The following amounts have been paid into the Board's account since our last meeting: —Wharfage, three weeks ending 9th February, <£979 15s Id; refund half pier-mas-ter'.s salary, to 15th December, £O9 14s 6d; warps, £M ; total, -£1099 9s 7d. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of seven guineas were passed for payment. RAILWAY TARIFF. A letter from the Chairman to the Government on the matter of railway tariff was read as follows: Harbor Board Office, Christchurch, Feb. 2ml, 1878. Sir, —I have the honor, by direction of the Lyttelton Harbor Board, to forward you the enclosed resolution p issed at their last meeting, ami when doing so, I was requested to state shortly the misons which led them to take this matter into their consideration. It hiving been noticed th .t the revenue of the Harbor Board had fallen off, inquiries were instituted, and with the following result, viz., that the changes which had been ma e in the tariff during the past twelve months, and more particularly those affecting the longer distances, had had the effect of driviug the trafiii off the railway and making it considerably to the advantage of merchants mid others who are interested iu the district centring ou Timarn to send their goods by sea to the final port of shipment, the railway losing thereby a large and highly remunerative traffic, the whole of which had previously to the changes above mentioned been secured to the railway, and cansing a corresponding loss to the revenue of the Board. At the interview I had the honor to have with you last week I pointed out to you that in the case of most of these goods, and more particularly wool, grain, and sugar, the railway did all the handling that they would have to do were they carried over long distances instead of short ones, and that iu most cases a moderate reduction in the rate of haulage would have the effect of bringing this traffic back to the railway. At the interview above alluded to you informed me that this matter wonld receive your earliest attention and that the rates would bo so reduced as to ensure the resumption of this traffic. In order that you may realise to what an extent the railway revenue has suffered this season, I am informed that over 6000 bales of wool have been sent from Tiinaru by sea which would have come by railway ; that a larger quantity of grain had been sent in the same direction, and that it was estimated that if the present rates were continued, over 20,000 tons of grain carriage would be lost to the railway this season. During the last month shipments amounting to over 1000 tons have been made to Timaru, solely on account of the difference in the rates, and had the application which was made to the railway authorities here been acceded to, the whole of the ship Ellora's cargo would have gone by railway to Timaru and Oamaru, and in this case it was felt to be a great grievance, as at the very time empty waggons sufficient to have carried all her cargo were beiug sent down to the Waitaki for sheep. The railway, whilst refusing to reduce the rates for the goods, did reduce the rate for sheap, and to such an extent that whilst I am informed that the trucks carrying the sheep only earned for 170 miles of carriage about £2 each, the owners of the goods in question wonld have been glad to have paid. £5 each had they been allowed to use them. It is also the case that goods, and particularly sugar, %vhich had to be sent from Christchurch to Temuka, }ias for some time past been sent by way ot Lyttelton and Timaru and baok some twelve miles by railway to Temuka at a considerable saving to the senders. In order that you may see what took place at the meeting of the Lyttelton Harbor Board, I have the honor to euolose copy of their proceedings taken from the daily papers, and have only to express a hope that the Government will give effect to the assurance which you gave me at our interview, to reduce tariff on long distances, with the least possiole delay. I also enclose copy of a resolution passed by the Canterbury Corn Exchange and Farmers' Club on the subject. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your ob-jdient servant, Edward Eicmaudsok, Chairman Lyttelton Harbor Board. CORN EXCHANGE. A copy of resolution passed by the Corn Ex change and Farmers' Club, expressing sympathy wi> lithe Board re " shameful mismanagement of the railway," and willingness to co-operate with the Board, was read, and the secretary was directed to acknowledge its receipt with thanks. TIME BALL TOWEB. A letter from M_r Strouts, recommending the tri J of a silica paint on a portion of the wall of the Time Ball T'ower, was read. It was resolved to try the experiment on a small scale. JETTY ADDITIONS. The chairman's letter to the Government re jetty additions to be made by Government was approved of. APPOINTMENT OF ENGINEER. The Board went into committee to consider the applications for the office of engineer to the Board. The result of the final ballot was the selection of Mr Napier Bell. The chairman was requested to cause the requisite agreement to be drawn up. COMMISSIONERS FOR SINKING FUN^i. Mr P. Cunningham proposed—" That Messrs G. Gould and JW. C. J. Stevens be asked to act as commis-sioners for the Board's sinking fund." Mr Wright seconded the motion. Mr. Turner moved as an amendment—" That the Public Trustee be the commissioner, under the Lyttelton Harbor Board Act." Mr Aliwright seconded the amendment. The amendment was put first, and the votes being even, the chairman voted for the amendment, which was accordingly declared to be carried. REDUCTION OF WHARFAGE RATES. The adjourned debate on Mr Wright's motion for the reduction of the wharfage charge fro» 2s to Is 4d per ton was the next business. Mr Wright, in support of his proposal, gave the following statement: — Assumed Bevenue and Expenditure for 1879—Bate Is Id per ton. Estimated revenue for £ s. d. £ s. d. 1878 17,632 4 6 Probable increase, 10 per cent. 1,763 4 6 Estimated ordinary expenditure, 1878 ... 6,684 5 8 Allow 10 per cent, increase 60S 8 4 Balance of ordinary revenue, 1879. ... ... 12,012 15 0 Amount Available for Expenditure on Works, 1879. Loan authorised ... 100,000 0 0 Less expenditure for 1878 61,000 0 0 Balance of ordinary revenue, 1878 10,947 18 10 Less estimated loan charges 2,135 0 0 Balance of ordinary revenue, 1879 12,042.15 0 Less loan charges on £IOO,OOO 7,000 0 0 Balance of ordinary revenue to end of 1877, say 8,000 0 0 00,855. U 10 Completion of dry dock 50,000 0. 0. Dredging operations, 1879 4,00 ft 0 0 2,855 13 4 bo that practically the Board would be without funds at the end of 1879, for the execution of the works recommended by the harbor improvement committee on 6th July last as necessary, and involving a probable expenditure of .£60,000 to .£70,000. i f they set aside the dry dock, the loan which they were authorised to raise would enable them to carry out all the other works which the committoe recommended, but if the dock -was also ic be constructed they must anticipate raising such ah amount towards the on.l of 1q79 as would cover its cost, and the . t.cck should aftord, when completed, sufficient collateral security for the loan required. If they decided upon the principle that the cost of permanent works might be fairly distributed ov«r a period of thirty or forty years, then they could safely reduce the present wharfage rates, but if on the other hand they decided to pay for permanent works out of revenue, they would bo forced to double or treble their present l"fttesj and thus unfairly hamper the of the entire district, covering ajn area ot about 3,000,000 ac-ea, of a'gricwltmvl land. Mr. Wright conoluded by formally moving the reduction of the wharfage rate.

The Hou. John Hall thought the Board should be cautious how they abandoned any of their revenue. The statcnicut laid before the last meeting only treated of the -ouxeadiliuve and revenue of the present ;s*(, i*nd lur Wright.had now giver ;_n for next year. But the 3,o.iud shtfii'M look further ahead, and consider the works which the Board might be called upon to form in future years. These would p'rdbabjy, be very extensive. He instanced the proposed additional jetties, breastworks, extension of railway. It fye said; that when those are

required the revenue would be larger; but he thought they should not reduce their income until they were in a better position to do with less. The wharfagq charge was not much complained of. The port charges were, he believed, very high, and rendered tue part unpopular. A reduction in them would, he believed, be better than that now proposed. "\ hen there was the charge for reshipping. This, he thought, told very upon the interests of the Port, and might well be reduced. He would recommend the matter being relegated to a committee.

Mr P. Cunningham did not think the reduction reasonable, though lie would support a smaller reduction. Mr Wright had omit ed to menti m the expense of the proposed breastwork and the annual expenditure for the engineer now appointed Mr Wright—"lt will be taken out of the loan."

Mr Cunningham considered the loan already spent. The Hoard was pledged to an expenditure of ,£IOB,OOO oat of "the £ 100,000 loan. Mr Hall-" We can't tell what the dock will cost."

Mr Cunningham pointed out other omissions in Mr Wright's estimate of expenditure, instancing the risk of damage to the dredge, the cost of harbor staff, <tc. Ho believed tie public would rather have ex am facilities at the Port than the email saving proposed by Mr Wright. Tr,e greute t objection, however was that the carrying of the resolution would place the Board in the position of a me) chant endeavouring to carry on a large business with insufficient capital. They w.uld be hampered in th ir operations, iteclamation could bo made wliich would eventually bring in a large revenue, but which, in the meantime, would cost a large amount. Mr Cunningham went into a detailed estimate of expenditure, showing it at .£23,000. He di<l not anticipate any increase in the revenue this year, but rather feared a decrease The circumstances of the matter had been changed since ha (Mr Cunningham) had advo cated the reduction of the wh irfage to Is 6d per ton.

Mr Harmful pointed out that Mr Wright's scheme would ne e sitate rb.3 Bo rd's obtaining additional borrowing- powers. He doubted the wisdom of basing their plans upon tu-dr getting permission for further borrowing, as from the reception th« former proposal met with in Parliament he feared there would be a difficulty. He believed it would be better to adopt measures which would give the Port a good name than to accept Mr Wright's proposal. Ho had been inclined at first to agree with that gentleman, but he had altered his opinion on account of what he had heard both at the Board and outside. At present ho did not think the Board could afford to lose any of their revennc, at a tim i when they were issuing debentures. Mr Turner would be glad to see the motion withdrawn. The Board had already committed themselves to the dry dock, the expenditure on account of which for some years to come would, he believed, exceed the receipts. He was in favor of making the Port popular by increasing its facilities. Some eighteen months or two years hence the motion might have a chance of being carried. Mr Craig briefly spoke against the motion as being premature. Mr Allwright would have supported a motion to reduce the shipping charges, which rendered the port unpopular.

Mr Sawtell had heard no clamor raised against the wharfage rates. It would be time enough to alter them when outside pressure was brought upon them. Facilities for dispatch of business at the Port would conduce to lower freights to, Lyttelton. Lighterage, a cause formerly of heavy expense aud mucn delay, had already been done away with. The Chairman wished to correct any misapprehension which might exist to the effect that the charges were higher at Lyttleton than elsewhere ; generally speaking the rates were the same throughout New Zealand. Mr Turner mentiontd one charge which was lower at Otago. The Chairman would oppose the motion at present.

Mr Wright, after what had fallen from members, saw no chance of carrying his motion. He thought his figures had not een fairly criticised, and combattedjtho objections taken to them. He was glad to sea that the members recognised the desirability of a redu tion being made in the port charges. He would, with the Board's permission, withdraw his motion, and give notice for the appointment of a committee to take into consideration the possibility of reducing the port charges. The Board then consented to the motion being withdrawn, and th-3 business of the meet ng terminated, it being resolved that the next meeting should be held at Lyttelton, on Friday week, at 11 o'clock in the morning.