LYTTELTON HARBOR BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1905, 2 April 1880, Page 3

LYTTELTON HARBOR BOARD.

The Lyttelton Harbor Board met yesterday at Lyttelton. Present—The Hon. E. Richardson (chairman), Messrs Harman, Allan, Allwright, Murray-Aynsley, Craig and Turner. The Chairman said in respect to the last meeting and the minutes, that just after the meeting had adjourned, two tenders were handed in in person for the reclamation at the boat jetties. He informed the tenderers that the matter had been settled, but the latter it appeared had understood that tenders for the work would not be opened until four o’clock. He, the Chairman, asked whether under the circumstances the parties tendering would object to their tenders being opened, and permission being given, upon opening them they were found to be slightly over the sum named in the tender which had been accepted by the Board. Both the tenders were from good firms in Christchurch.

The Chairman made the following statement: The following sums have been paid in since our last meeting :—Part proceeds of loan, £7000; pilotage, port charges, and harbormaster’s fees, £749 9s 3d; towage, rent, and warps, &0., £204 2s; total, £7953 11s 3d. The engineer’s report on the progress of harbor works during the past month will be read. The engineer also recommends some addition to be made to the boat slip, now under contract. He also, in conjunction with the harbor-master, has considered the question of providing a site upon which ships may discharge their ballast, and while making certain suggestions now, will report fully at a future meeting of the Board. He has furnished a modified plan and estimate for the Governor's Bay jetty. Returns of dredging and towage during the past month «re upon the table; also, a report from Mr Turpin on the general overhaul of the dredge and barges. The harbor master’s return of the shipping arrived and departed during the month of March is before you, also a statement showing the time taken by the various foreign ships to load and discharge at the wharves during the past three months. A number of accounts for payment will be laid before you to-day. Among them is one for the cost of laying the telephone lino from Christchurch to Lyttelton, and from thence to the Pilot station at the Heads. As the Government are owing the Board some £3300 for their portion of the reclamation just about completed, I propose to hold the payment of the cost of the telephone lino in suspense until wo arc advised of the payment of the £3300. There is also among the accounts to be submitted to you one from the Board’s solicitor. As his term of office has expired it will be necessary that the Board should consider its renewal. A letter from Mr Napier Bell has been received, pointing out that his two years’ term of engagement expired on the 31st ult., and asking the Board to renew it for a further term of two years on the same conditions. I think the Board will have no hesitation in doing so. A letter has been received from the Resident Railway Engineer at Dunedin, forwarding a tracing showing the present and proposed rail accommodation on the Lyttelton wharves. The tracing includes the additions suggested by the Board on Nos. 1 and 2 intermediate jetties. The treasurer’s fidelity bond has been furnished by the Standard Insurance Company. Now that the reclamation from the Screwpile Jetty to the Gladstone Wharf will be completed in a short time, it is desirous that plans for the timber breastwork to be built in front of it should be prepared, so that tenders for the work may be invited during the winter months, and so as to give ample time to obtain the necessary timber. The contract for the Harbor Board Office has been signed, and the architect has recommended the appointed of Mr Weybourne as clerk of works, at a salary of £4 per week. I will ask the Council to confirm the appointment. The Engineer reported, at length, in the progress of the works during the month about 9000 cubic yards had been excavated from Naval Point Hill, and 3000 from the dock site, the rook in the latter being mucti harder than was expected. The contract for reclaiming between the screw pile and the boat jetties had made good progress. A plan for an addition to the bout slip at Peacock’s wharf was submitted. A resolution to retain Mr C. Napier Boll’s services for two years longer, by agreement, was proposed, subject to the same conditions as to salary os at present. Mr H. Allwright proposed an amendment to make it one year in place of two, believing the Board should not bind itself for a longer period. The amendment was not seconded, and the resolution was put and carried.^ Mr B. Wcyburn was appointed clerk of works for the Board’s new offices, A resolution was passed in reference to the continuance of the Board’s solicitor as follows : “ That the arrangement with Mr H. N. Nulder be continued during the pleasure of the Board.” Two new propellers for the Hoathcoto and Sumner barges were ordered to bo obtained. In reference to Governor’s Bay wharfage arrangements it was agreed, “ That the design

for the proposed timber work jetty at Governor’s Bay be approved,” also, “ That the Port Victoria Road Board be informed that the Lytt; Iton Harbor Board are prepared to carry ©ut the timber work in accordance with the approved design, provided his Excellency’s approval therefor be obtained, and provided also that the stone embankment be constructed by the Road Board.” Some discussion was held upon the report of the coal consumption on board the Board's vessels, and as to the practicability of using native coal. The Chairman said he would obtain from Mr Turpin, the engineer, a report as to what changes would be necessary in the furnaces, in order to use native coal in place of the imported article. A report amongst others was laid on the table, showing that the recently commissioned mud barge Minna Bell had loaded and discharged during March 2250 tons. Accounts amounting to £6529 14s lOd wore passed for payment. A resolution was passed—“ That the engineer be instructed to prepare plans and specifications for the timber breastwork from the Screw Pile Jetty to the Gladstone Pier.” Mr Cunningham wrote apologising for his absence, and Mr H. Sawtell arrived just as the Board rose, having missed the 1.25 p.m. train. The Board then adjourned to meet at Christchurch on Mny Ist.