LYTTELTON HARBOR BOARD.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1646, 30 May 1879, Page 3

LYTTELTON HARBOR BOARD.

THTJB9DAY, MAY J 9. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Lyttelton Harbor Board was held at the new Christchurch offices, Hereford Btreet, at half-past two o'olock. Present —The Hon. E. Richardson (chairman), and Messrs R. J. S. Harman, P. Cunningham, Allwright, Allan, H. Sawtell, Murray-Aynsley, and C. W. Turner. THE OHAIBMAN'S STATEMENT, The Chairman said —The following sum has been paid in to the Board's account sinco our last meeting : —Towage, warps, and pilotage exemptions, £B6 6s 6d. A large number of accounts for payment will be laid before you to-day, including progress payments on contracts and salaries for the past month. I would suggest, in order to meet requirements, in the case of the payment of salaries especially, that the Board consider whether their monthly meeting should be held on the Ist or 2nd of every month. Meetings held such as to-day, just before the end of the month, prevent tho dredging and towing returns being furnished. A. report from our engineer will be read, in reference to the progress made with the harbor works contracts now in hand, and also as to the graving dock plans, &c. In connection with the latter subject, a letter will be read from Messrs Scott Bros., relating to the Board's proposal to order from Homo the pumping machinery and caisson required for the dock. This question was discussed at our last meeting, when tho notice of motion on the subject waß given for our present meeting, and Messrs Scott Bros.' letter will afford to tho Board a further opportunity of discussing the matter. It will bo recollected that the Board expressed a desire that the preparation of the graving do k plans should take precedence of all other plans, consequently those for the reclamation to the eastward of the boat jetties were put on one side until the dock plans were completed. I would now recommend the Board to authorise tenders being called for this reclamation forthwith. Mr Bell, in a previous report, recommended that this filling in, when completed, should stand several months, to allow subsidence, bffore tho timber breastwork and buildings bo placed upon it. In order to expedite tho completion of this work, I would suggest that the contract should provide for the compulsory and constant employment of a givon number of men upon the work. Before anything can be decided in regard to the form of the breastwork to be built on the face of this reclamation, or of tho jetties which it may be deemed necessary to build there, the question should be considered and reported on by the Harbour Improvement Committee. The plans will also have to be forwarded for the approval of his Excellency the Governor, and approved, before tenders can be invited. I think it is important that this work should be completed, as far as possible, before the next grain season, so as to provide loading berths for foreign ships. With regard to the reclamation to be done by the Railway Department between tho Tunnel Wharf and No. 2 Intermediate Jetty, I may state that I have seen the Commissioner of Railways on the subject, and he promises to have the work proceeded with at once ; he also informs me he is in communication with the Hon. Minister for Public Works on the subject of the removal of the Gladstone shed, and hopes in a few days to make a proposal to the Board which will meet their views. A report will be read from the Harbour Master in reference to the lighting of the wharves and jetties, and I would suggest that the matter be referred to the Harbour Improvement Committee to deal with as they think fit. There is also an application from the * man who attends to the wharf lamps for an increase of pay. This also might be referred to the committee. A reply has been received from the railway authorities as to the site for the Board's office on Norwich Quay, in Lyttelton, and I am advised that the Crown sojioitor has been instructed to prepare the lease, and so soon as it is executed I will request Mr Strouts to prepare the plans for the building, and submit them to the Board for approval, &e. An application for a pilotage exemption certificate will be laid before you to-day. In view of the additional number of trucks now being placed on this section of New Zealand railways, and those ordered from home, I would urge upon the merchants and others of this district the absolute necessity of making a corresponding provision in the matter of storage accommodation, both bonded and free, before next season. I should not have mentioned this subject here had it not been for the fact that I have been informed by the Collector of Customs that to provide for the ordinary increase in trade very large additional storage accommodation is required, and in the event of it not being provided, serious delays will be sure to occur in the discharge of ships next season. The Board are aware that on more than one occasion during the season just over the Customs authorities have been obliged to stop the discharge of ships from this cause. My bringing this matter forward here will, I hope, lead to it being taken up in other quarters. ENGINEER'S REPORT.

Christchurch, May 29th, 1879. The Chairman Lyttelton Harbor Board. Sir, —1. I havo to report that the progress of the works at Lyttelton has been blow and interrupted from the want of suitable timber. 2. In the Intermediate Jetty, No. 3, there are nineteen bay 3 completed, less the top planking, and some of the fender piles. I must call your attention to the delay in completing the breastwork between this and the Tunnel Wharf, in consequence of the embankment not yet being filled in, which was to be done by the Government.

3. The extension of the outer jetties is completed, except the screw pile, of which ten bays are finished except the planking. 4. On the Gladstone Wharf 290 ft. is finished, and the rest of it is complete, less the pi Hiking and eighteen fender pieces yet to be driven. 5. I submit estimates of the cost of tho graving dock, according to the new plans just completed. The plans are being traced for distribution.

I note the letter of Messrs Scott Brothers referred to me. Tn this he protests against the Board importing pimping machinery for the docV, and indicates tho duty of the Board towards loc»l firms. In reply, I know of no obligabion which the Board is under other than to procure the best article at a reasonable cost. This is to be had best from makers who devote their whole time to the manufsicture of these speci lities. My recommendation to the Bowl is to procure the. articlesjfrom such makers. The dock is very large and deep, pud thp pumping machinery Dbould be oi the very best, and containing the latest known improvements, lhe Drainage Board is import'ng a very fine ?et of pumping machiuery, and when it arrives the c miparison of cost and efficiency can be examined.

I am, sir. your obedient servant, C. Napier Bell, Engineer. ACCOUNTS. A number of accounts wore pasoed for payment.

BBOLASifATIONS.

Mr Harman moved, and Mr Cunningham seconded the following motion ;—"Thatth^

Board authorise tenders being called for the reclamation between tho boat jetties and Gladstone Pier, in accordance with the plan approved by His Exoelloncy the Governor under date of the 13th February, 1879, and that the contract specifications should provide for the constant employment of a given number of men." The Chairman, in speaking to the resolution, said one of tho objects of bringing it forward was that it would have the effect of relieving any want of work which there might be in Lyttelton at the present time, as the work proposed would give employment to eighty men for several mouths. The motion was secondod by Mr Cunningham and agreed to. A letter was read from the agents for the owner* of sections 328, 329, 330, 336, 337, 338,339,340, 311, giving permission to the Board to excavate for the purposes of reclamation free of charge, under certain conditions. Mr Murray-Aynsley moved, Mr Allan seconded, and it was agreed to—" That in the opinion of the contractor for the proposed reclamation between the boat jetties and the Gladstone pier, taking the material from any of the town sections numbered 328, 329, 330, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340, and 341, the Board hereby agree to the conditions mentioned in letter from the agent of the owners of those section?, dated 2fcth May, 1879." ADDITIONAL LAMP 3. Mr 0. W. Turner moved, Mr Allen seconded, and it was agreed to—" That the question of the additional lamps required on the wharves and jetties be referred to the Harbor Board improvement committee, with power to act; also that the committee be empowered to deal with the application from the lampman for an increase of pay." PILOTAGE EXEMPTION. Mr Harman moved, Mr Murray-Aynsley seconded, and it was agreed to—" That a pilotage exemption certificate be granted to Mr Bruce Young, of the barque Mathieu." THE GBATINGt DOCK. On the subject of pumps, sluices, &c, for the graving dock, a letter waß read from Scott Brothers, submitting that, in consideration of the present depressed state of trade in New Zealand, and the fact that numbers of good men were out of employment, public bodies should get all the work they could done in the colony. This, they submitted, was a consideration that should have more weight than any extra cost of a few pounds. The writers felt confident that anything the Board might require could be made as cheaply and quite as well in New Zealand as any imported. After a good deal of discussion, and in the absence of the Hon. John Hall, Mr Harman moved the followi"g motion, of which notice had been previously given : " That the Board having considered the detail plans and specifications for the graving dock, hereby expresses its approval of the same, and authorises tenders for the construction of the dock being invited in Christchurch, Lyttelton, Dunedin, Wellington, Auckland, Sydney, and Melbourne. The Board also directs the necessary steps to be taken for obtaining the caisson and pumping machinery from England, as recommended by the Board." The motion was seconded by Mr MurrayAynsley, and, after considerable discussion, was agreed to. The Board then adjourned until next Thursday week, to meet at Lyttelton.