HARBOR BOARD.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1483, 16 November 1878, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

The usual fortnightly meeting of tho Harbor Board was hold yesterday at 2 p.ra., in the Provincial buildings. Present—Hon. E. Richardson, Messrs R. J. S, Harman, Allwright, D. Craig, C. W. Turner, P. Cunningham, H. Sawtell, and H. P, MurrayAynsley. The minutes of tho last meeting were read and confirmed. Before entering upon tho business of the meeting, tho Chairman took the opportunity of thanking Mr Harman, who had filled the office of chairman during Ins absence in Wellington, which he regretted had been so prolonged. He then read tho following statement :

The following amount has been paid into the Board’s credit since our last meeting : Wharfage dues for two weeks ending 10 th October, 1878, £lOll Os sd. A report from the engineer will be read, in which, in addition to reporting on the various works, he states that tho plans for the graving dock will be ready in about sis weeks, and I would recommend that he be allowed to engage any additional temporary as-istance that lie may require to complete tho piuia of all works already proposed hy the Board, to ensure of their being forwarded for the approval of his Excellency the tiov»rnor within the period of four months, provided for in the 148th section of the Harbors Act, 18/v, as otherwise a special Act will have to be applied for for each work, which would probably cause a dcl»y of at least twelve months. , , , ~ Correspondence will bo read between the Treasury in Wellington and myselt, w iwJ fo* Soiwco to tho payment of tho wliUitajje» coh

lected by the railway for the Board. After numerous interviews which I had with the Treasury office, the arrangement indicated in the correspondence was finally come to, and accepted by me on behalf of the Board. A reply has been received from (ho Commissioner of Railways, stating that the Government cannot comply with the wishes of the Harbor Board in the matter of the extension of the reclamation between the Boat Stage and the Gladstone Pier. The Board will therefore have to decide as to whether they will proceed with their own portion of the work. It will, however, be necessary to take our engineer’s opinion before doing so. On my return from Wellington I had an interview with Mr Conyers, which will result in a proposal from him (which will bo laid before the Board, together with plans, in due course), to alter the present site of the Gladstone shed, and of the lines connecting with it over the Board’s property._ Having already gone fully into the quest ion with Mr Conyers, I would strongly support the proposal as one which I am convinced will lead to the far better working of the the Gladstone shed and pier. The arrangement, if concurred in by the Board, should be such as will not interfere with the erection of further sheds by the Board, if at any future time they should be found necessary. In the matter of additional steam cranes for the wharves, I had an interview with the Minister for Public Works, who stated that the question had been referred to Mr Conyers, and we are promised a reply as soon as that gentleman reports. In the meantime a letter has been received from Mr John Anderson upon the subject of the supply of steam cranes.

Further correspondence from the New Zealand Shipping Company in reference to the voyage out of our steam tug will bo read. The general manager has received a cablegram from Brisbane announcing her arrival there, and that she would sail for Lyttelton on the 13th instant, so that we may expect her to arrive here by the 23rd inst, I think the time has now arrived when the Board should appoint the staff of the Lyttelton, and if the Board have suitable men already in their service fit for the various offices on board the tug, that they should receive promotion. The Board are doubtless aware that the Lyttelton Harbor Board Amendment Act, 1878, was passed by the General Assembly, and copies of it were received two days since. Power is given in it to issue debentures to the amount of £200,000, in lieu of the power to raise £IOO,OOO b/ the same means under our Act of 1876. I think a copy of the Act just passed should he furnished to the Bank, with instructions to withdraw from sale the £IOO,OOO worth of debentures now in their hands in London, and it will also bo for the Board to determine what steps shall be taken for raising the £200,000, under the Lyttelton Harbor Board Amendment Act, 1878.

The general Harbor Act, 1878, has also been passed, and comes into operation on the Ist of January next. As it will doubtless be necessary for the Board to tako action under its various provisions, I think it would be well to refer it to the Board’s solicitor to advise what action the Board have to take under its provisions. This raises the question of the appointment of the Board’s solicitor. When the matter came before the Board on the 23rd of August last, upon the expiration of Mr 11. N. Nalder’s engagement, the Board decided that the consideration of the renewal of the arrangement with him should be left to a full meeting of Board. The National Bank of Now Zealand have furnished our treasurer with an account current with their London office up to the 27th September, 1878. The account is on the table. The dredging in front of the Gladstone Wharf extension was completed two days since, and the Erskine has returned to her former position off the Tunnel Mouth Jetty, where she is now at work. Soundings will be taken by the harbor-master, when opportunity offers, over the portion last dredged in front of the Gladstone Wharf extension. Mr Burns’ tender, for castings, for the dredge and barges, for six months, has been accepted, and I will ask the Board to order that their seal bo affixed to the contract.

The contracts for the Gladstone Wharf extension, and the Screw Pile and intermediate jetties extension, have been signed by the respective contractors, namely Messrs Hawkins and Co. and Messrs Wm. Langdown and Co.

Mr Whitby has signed the transfer of section No. 233 to the Board, and the consideration money (£1000) has been paid to him. I will ask the Board to say what rent should be paid by him for the cottage upon it now occupied by him. engineer’s report.

The Chairman read the following report:— Christchurch, 1-lth Nov. 18 18. C. H. Williams, Esq., Secretary Lyttelton Harbor Board.

Rxr, —tn reply to your note of November 12th, will you ho good enough to inform the chairman that I hope to have the plans for the dock completed in about six weeks. Will you also inform mo what is tho resolution of the Board as to the letting of a contract to reclaim the land between the boat landings and the end of [the Gladstone Wharf, _ on the line which was shown on a plan submitted by me to the Board on the 17th October, accompanied with remarks on the same in my report of that date, particularly drawing attention to the available width of land which the line gave. I again submit herewith plan of lighthouse containing some alterations recommended by the marine engineer. If tho Board wish to have the light erected I shall proceed to write a specification and let a. contract for the same. Will you be good enough to inform the chairman that the works under contract arc making satisfactory progress. I am sir, Your obedient servant, C. Naiuer Bell, Engineer. FINANCE. Accounts to (ho amount of £Ol Gs 8d was parsed for payment. board's solicitor. Mr Cunningham moved that the chairman and Mr Harman be a committee to define the retaining fee and duties of the solicitor to the Board. Mr Craig seconded the motion, which was carried. Power was granted to the chairman of the Board to write to Mr Conyers in reply to his letter. STKAM CHASES. A letter was road from Mr John Anderson asking that local manufacturers should be allowed to construct the steam crimes and machinery required by tho Hoard. Even though they might be at a disadvantage in tho matter of competition with England in the point of price, tho local manufacturers trusted that the Board would use their endeavours towards encouraging so valuable a local industry. As to tho quality of tho work done in the colony, Mr Anderson referred tho Board to five steam cranes which had boon made in his foundry, and which were now in use in Lyttelton, Tho matter was allowed to remain in abeyance. STEAM TUG. The question of tho appointment of tho staff for tho now steam tug was postponed until the next meeting of the Board. DEBENTURES. The Board pissed a resolution that the National Bank of New Zealand ho instructed to withdraw from sale the debentures formerly issued, as a now and larger loan had been authorised by the Assembly. CASTINGS. It was resolved to a'tuch the seal of the Board to the contract of Mr Burns for castings. MR WHITBY’S COTTAGE. It was resolved that tho rent of Mr Whitby’s cottage should be £3O per annum, a month’s notice to bo given on either sido, HARBOR BOARD LOAN. Mr C. W. Turner moved —“ That Mes-rs Richardson, Harman and tho mover be appointed a committee to report upon the best means of providing funds for the conduct of the Board’s operation pending the final issue of debentures through its bankers.” The motion was seconded by Mr Cunningham.,, r d agreed. sailors’ rrc^i',’. I '‘unningham moved “That tho Minister o- p ublic Work 9 be requested to nst !t wtp Vl'and oc Norwich Quay iu the

Board for the purpose of building a sailors’ home.”

Mr H. P. Murray-Aynsley seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr Cunningham moved, and Mr Craig seconded—“ That this Board vote the sum of £SOO to assist in establishing a sailors’ home in the Port of Lyttelton. Mr Harman moved as an amendment that the wrnrds “subject to the Board’s obtaining a legal opinion that the Board is authorised te expend money in that direction.” Mr Sawtell seconded the amendment.

The amendment was then put, and the following members voted in favor of it: — Messrs. Harman, Murray-Aynsley, Sawtell, and the chairman. Against it—Messrs. Cunningham, Allwright, Craig, and Turner. The chairman gave his casting vote in favor of the amendment, which was agreed to. The resolution thus amended was then put and carried, HABHOB DEFENCES. Mr Murray-Aynsley moved, and Mr Sawtell seconded, “ That the chairman and Captain Craig be instructed to arrange an interview on Monday with the lion. Col. Whitmore in Lyttelton, re the defences of the harbor.” On the motion being put, it was negatived by a majority of the Board. This terminated the business, and the Board adjourned until Friday, November 29th, at 1 p.m,, in Lyttelton.