LYTTELTON HARBOR BOARD.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1447, 5 October 1878, Page 2

LYTTELTON HARBOR BOARD.

Friday, October 4. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Lyttelton Harbor Board was held at two o’clock in the old Provincial Council Chamber. Present—Messrs R. J. S. Harman (in the chair), D. Craig, C. Allwright, P. Cunningham, C. W. Turner. ABSENT MEMBER, The Chairman said he hud received a letter from Mr Sawtell, apologising for his absence, which was unavoidable, us he had been suddenly called into the country. chairman’s statement, Tho Chairman then read the following statement: — Tho following sums have been paid in to the Board’s account since our last ordinary meeting:— £ s. d. Wharfage three weeks ending 7th September, 1878 1310 2 6 Rent of buildings ... ... 76 11 6 Pilotage and port charges, September, 1878 ... ... ... 502 4 4 £IBBB 18 4 As evidencing the rapid increase in the trade of the Port ’of Lyttelton, I may state that the'wharfage dues for the four mouths ending 31et August amounted to £8251 3s lid, as against £5756 8s 8d for the four corresponding months of tho preceding year. Thus showing an average increase of £823 a month. In a like manner the pilotage and port charges receipts for tho same period amounted to £lßl9 15s 41, as against £1409 lls 6d for the four corresponding months of last year, in this case showing an average increase of £lO2 a mouth.

Several small accounts for payment will be laid before you to-day. I lay upon the table a return of the dredging done during the month of September. It will bo noted that 121 barge loads have been removed, amounting to 21,780 cubic yards, or 30,250 tons. This return may be considered very satisfactory in the face of an accident to the second engine shaft wheel. A report from Mr Turpin on the subject will be read, also one from him recommending the immediate supply of 360 wrought iron boiler tubes for the dredge and barges. Tho contract for No. 3 Intermediate Jetty and Breastwork has been signed' by Messrs Hawkins and Co., and tho first-named work will be proceeded with at once. A letter has been received from the Hon. Commissioner of Customs, conveying the approval of his Excellency the Governor to the plans for the extensions of the Gladstone Pier and the Screw Pile and No. 1 Intermediate jetties. Tenders for these works will be advertised for immediately the office pl&ns and specifications, &0., for them are completed, which will be in the course of a few days. Under instruction from me, the secretary addressed a letter to the railway authorities, pointing out that the reclamation recently carried out by them between the boat stage and the Gladstone Wharf, does does not reach the outward limit of the railway reserve, and as the Harbor Board propose at an early date to proceed with this reclamation on their own ground, I thought it would be most advisable that the Board let a contract for the whole work, that is if the railway authorities will agree to refund the actual cost of their portion of the work. A reply has not yet been received. Telegrams will bo read from our Chairman, in Wellington, relating to the question of the acquisition of certain roads at Naval Point, required in connection with the graving dock site. A resolution upon the same subject, passed by the Lyttelton Borough Council, will also bo brought under the Board’s consideration to-day. In connection with this matter I will ask authority from the Board to close with the offers obtained from Messrs H. Hawkins and T. H. Parkinson respectively to sell the portions of Rural Section 247 at present owned by them, to the immediate westward of Naval Point. The special circumstances of the case, in my opinion, will fully justify the Board in securing these sections at the present time. The members of the Board now in Wellington concur with me in this opinion. An arrangement has been entered into with Messrs Cameron Bros, to continue the steamtug service in Lyttelton from month to month upon similar conditions to those of their late contract, that is as regards the rates of towage. The subsidy to be paid is £B3 6s 8d per month, and the arrangement is to be terminable at a fortnight’s notice, given in writing, on either side, from the first of any month. A letter of advice, dated June last, has been received from Messrs G. Henderson, of Calcutta, stating that the coir springs ordered from them will, in all probability, be shipped direct for Lyttelton in the Chusan, then loading. I have also received a letter from the New Zealand Shipping Company, relative to the trial of the new steam tug prior to her departure for New Zealand. The letter will be read.

An application will be read from the Lyttelton Colonists’ Society, asking for a grant in aid from the Board. In view of the fact of this society’s library continuing to be used, to a large extent, by mariners visiting the port of Lyttelton, I think the application deserves the favorable consideration of the Board. The sum granted last year by the Board was £25.

The Lyttelton Fire Brigade has applied for a donation in aid of the torch light procession to be hold on the 24th inst., being the anniversary of the opening of Lyttelton Waterworks. The application will be read. As I understand the services of the hard labor gang are likely to be shortly at liberty, I think it would be well for the Board to suggest to the Government, the desirableness of employing their services in the formation of the beach reserve road to the eastward of Oilicers’ Point.

In consequence of the delay which has occurred in negotiating the Board’s debentures, I thought it advisable to have an interview with our bankers, and explain to the manager, in presence of the inspector, what our requirements are likely to be during the next six months. As a result of this conference I may say there is no reason to anticipate that any difficulty will arise in this matter. THE DEEDOE EEBKINE. Reports were read as to the condition of this dredge. THE DEBHNTUEES. The report of the committee appointed to consider the subject of the debentures was brought up and read. The Board went into committee. On resuming, a portion of the report was adopted, while the remainder was held over for the consideration of a fuller meeting. Mr Turner moved—“ That the Board decide to request its bankers to f ake no steps for the present towards selling the bonds for £IOO,OOO, now held by them in London, pending the decision of the Legislature in the proposed extension of the Board’s borrowing powers.” Agreed to. new PIPES POE THE DEEDOE. Mr Cunningham moved—“ That lenders I)e culled for the supply of a quantity of tubes for the dredge Erskiue, in the principal cities of New Zealand.” Seconded by Mr Craig. Mr Turner moved, as an amendment—- “ That the chairman bo requested to order the tubes from home, if time would permit.” Mr Allwright said, in the event of the tubes not being manufactured in New Zealand, ho would second Mr Turner’s amendment. '; , The amendment was carried on the casting vote of the chairman. LYTTELTON COLONISTS* SOCIETY. On the motion of Mr Cunningham, the usual grunt of £25 was made to this society, in aid of their funds, LYTTELTON FIBE BKIGADK. Application was made from this brigade for a subscription towards delruying the expense of the torchlight procession to be held on the 24th* October, on the occasion of the anniversary of the opening of the waterworks. Mj* Allwright moved that the Board give five guineas, Secoudcd by Mr D. Craig, and agreed to. PKISON LABOE. Mr P. Cunningham moved—“ That the chairman be instructed to interview the Government, with full authority to make

arrangements on the subject of utilising prison labor for the construction of the Beach road from a point eastward, the work to be undertaken as soon as possible.” Seconded by Mr Allwright and agreed to. THE NEW TUG LYTTELTON. The report of tho agent of the Now Zealand Shipping Company was road as follows : The New Zealand dipping Company, Limited. Christchurch, Sept 30th, 1878. Sir, —I have tho honor to hand you herewith extract from our London Manager’s letter of August loth, received by tho mail via San Francisco. _ ■‘ I have now to infoi’m yon that the trial of the new steam tug Lyttelton took place yesterday, the maximum speed obtained was twelve knots, with 551 b pressure. The weather was not favourable, there being a strong wind and considerable sea on, but ti o boat steamed very well, averaging quite ten knots, with a low pressure of 401 b; the engines worked very smoothly, not a sign of any of the bearings heating. Mr Nancarrow was present, and expressed himself as quite satisfied with the machinery, and will report very favorably upon the boat. She is very well and effectively finished, and has more tho appearance of an “ official tender” than a tug-boat, but in her capacity of a tug I am confident in tho Lyttelton quite answering tho expectations. Iho fire engine has nob been delivered yet, but _wc are promised it upon tho Ifith inst., on which date the tug will be quite ready to band over to us. Captain Fox navigates the boat out ; the engineers and crew will be engaged for the passage out only, but giving tho option of retaining such of them as may be required for the month after arrival. Captain Fox will be instructed not to press the boat, but rather take a few days longer on the pa-sage, so as to bring the Lyttelton iu ready and fit for immedl to work.’ I have the honor to be, fc-ir. Your obedient servant, H. Sei.wtn Smith, General Manager, C. H. Williams, Fsq., Secretary, Lyttelton Hirbor Board, ARTILLERY BBACTICR. In answer to a question from Mr Craig, with regard to the firing of tho artillery in a certain portion of tho Lyttelton harbor the Board said they should raise no objection to such firing. THE DOCK. Mr Craig moved—“ That the acting chairman bo instructed to purchase sections adjoining tho proposed dock at Naval Point, the property of Messrs Hawkins and Parkinson respectively.” Seconded by Mr Cunningham and agreed to. After the transaction of some routine business the Board adjourned for a fortnight, to meet at the end of that period at tho same and place.