HARBOUR BOARD.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1281, 27 April 1878, Page 3

HARBOUR BOARD.

Friday, Abril 26. The usual meeting of the Harbour Board was held at 2 p.m. Present—Hon E. Eichardson (chairman), Hon, John Hall, Messrs P. Cunningham, D. Craig, H. P. Murray-Aynsley, E. G. Wright, H. Allwright. REAVE OF ABSENCE. On the motion of Mr Cunningham, leave of absence was granted to Messrs Harman and 0. W. Turner. chairman’s statement. The Chairman said—The meeting called for tho 19th inst. (Good Friday) was allowed to stand adjourned until to-day, in conformity with our by-laws. The following amounts have been paid into the Board’s credit since our last meeting :— Wharfage, three weeks, ending 6th April, £1572 6s lid ; warps and refund salary, £l6 Is ; total, £loBB lid. A report from Mr Bell, our engineer, will be road, and the several matters referred to in it will have to be ordered upon. Several accounts for payments will bo laid before you to-day, among these, one for tho balance of the Time-ball building additions, the question of imposing the penalty for noncompletion of it to contract time will have to be considered by tho Board today. A letter has been received from the New Zealand Shipping Company covering the contract for the steam tug. It appears from it that the tug is to be delivered at homo (in the Eiver Mersey) on the 22nd August next. 'lbe New Zealand Shipping Company ask the Harbor Board to decide as to the manner in which the steam tug shall bo sent out. Also in reference to tho supply of a steam winch and spare engine gear. Particulars of tho latter have been asked for from the New Zealand Shipping Company, but are not yet to hand. Mr Turpin has furnished a list of articles, such as steel bushes, tumbler bars, &c., which he recommends should bo ordered from home for the dredge. I propose, with the Board’s approval, to order them from Eait, Lindsav, and Co,, of Glasgow, the builders of the dredge. The cost will not exceed £l5O, and tho articles might be shipped out in the tug. Captain Massy having certified to Mr James Wyman's competency to undertake the duties of mate on board, tho Heathcote, barge, he will bo duly appointed. Plans for new jetty are completed, and will be forwarded to Wellington for approval. Correspondence will be read in reference to the proposed purchase of town section 232 from tho Government, I would recommend the Board to close with the offer to sell it for £IBO on condition the Board remove the building now standing on it to tbe Orphanage grounds. I received a report from the Harbor Master in reference to the question of a place for vessels to deposit ballast which will bo read. engineer’s report. The following report was read from Mr C. N. Bell, the engineer to the Board I have prepared plans and specifications for one of the proposed now jetties, copits of which are submitted for tho approval of the Board, and I would request instructions as to advertising for tenders. Plans for the other jetty will be a fae simile of these. Under instructions of the chairman, I have examined the piles and walls in the oldest jetty in Lyttelton. I find no trace of worm in those of Australian timber after about tea years’ use. I would therefore not recommend coppering the piles in the new work, tho cost of which would be about £i per pile or £9O for the jetty. I have written to Wellington for some details and measurements connected with the under structure for harbor lights, and whenever they are received I will prepare plans for the same. To make the repairs recommended in my report of sth April on Peacock’s Wharf, I would require authority to purchase about, 800 ft. of timber and 3201 b. of iron, and to get the work doae; also to use in this wharf some of the piles drawn out of the boat stage, if it should bo found necessary while making the repairs to walls and faces to replace a few of the piles in Peacock’s Wharf. , v C. N. Bell, Engineer. The Chairman said the repairs proposed by the engineer to be done to Peacock’s Wharf would not cost more £SO. Mr Cunningham moved—“ That the Board approve of the repairs proposed to be done to Peacock’s Wharf, as suggested in the report, and authorise him to procure the necessary timber and iron ; the same to be done by day labor.” Hon. John Hall seconded the motion, wh was agreed to. The remainder of tho report was approved. ACCOUNTS. Several accounts were passed for payment. STEAM TUG. A letter was read from the New Zealand Shipping Company, covering a copy of the specifications and contract entered into with Messrs Laird and Co. for the building of a

steam-tug for Lyttelton harbor. The writer stated that the London agent of the company had left the question of the supply of spare steam gear and a steam winch to the tug an open one, until receiving the answer of the Board, when the Now Zealand Shipping Company could telegraph their Loudon agent. The writer also desired to know whether the Board would desire the vessel to steam out, and if so what route she should tako. A discussion ensued, and ultimately it was resolved, on the motion of Mr D. Craig, that the chairman be authorised to arrange with the New Zealand Shipping Company for the bringing out of the steam-tug by steam, as recommended by the builders; also, that the chairman be authorised to order the steam winch and such spare engine gear as may ho found necessary. Mr Wright seconded the motion. Mr Cunningham desired to bring under the notice of the Board the very great saving it would be for the Board to hire an officer going from hero, to take charge of the steamer —one whose position in their service would ensure that he would do the work efficiently. They must recollect that the captain bringing oui the steamer might visit several ports and thus spend a large sum of money, as he would aqt bo in any way responsible to the Board. Brides which, they would have to pay the passage home of the officer sent out with the tug, so that ho failed to see the swing. Mr AUwrigbt thought that the name of the buUdera f Messrs JLwd and Co., was a pu2L

cient guarantee that a good man would be sent. Besides, the New Zealand Shipping Company would look after their interests. Captain Fox, who was at home, would also take care that a good man was sent. The resolution was then put and carried. GRAB FOB DBKDGE. Mr Wright moved—“ That the chairman be authorised to order the gear for the dredge mentioned in Mr Turpin’s report, and that a credit be established in London to meet the cost of the order, not exceeding £150,” The resolution, on being seconded, was agreed to. ADDITIONAL WHARF ACCOMMODATION.! The plans of the engineer for providing additional wharf accommodation, together with specifications, &c., were laid before the Board. Mr Cunningham moved — <; That the Board accept the plans and specifications for additional wharf accommodation, os submitted by the engineer, and that the same bo forwarded to the Government for their approval,” Mr Aynsloy seconded the resolution, which was carried. PURCHASE OF LAND, Hon. John Hall moved—“ That the Board approve of the purchase of Lyttelton town section No. 232, at Naval Point, for the sum of £IBO, and authorise the expenditure necessary for removing the old Native hostelry building therefrom to the Orphanage grounds.” Mr D. Craig seconded the motion, which was agreed to. DEPOSIT OF BALLAST. A letter was read from the Harbor-Master, stating that application had been made to him on behalf of the ship Hyderabad to deposit 400 tons of sand ballast. The IlarborMaster recommended that the Hyderabad should be allowed to deposit the sand on Naval Point, near the brick-kiln. After some discussion, it was resolved to leave the matter in the hands of the chairman. The Board then adjourned for a fortnight, meeting in Christchurch at 2 p.m.