LYTTELTON HARBOR BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2414, 30 December 1881, Page 4

LYTTELTON HARBOR BOARD.

A meeting of the Board was held at. Lyttelton yesterday, when there were present — Messrs Harman, Cunningham, Allwright, Allan, O. W. Turner, Hon. J. T. Peacock. The Seoretary stated that the chairman, the Hon. E. Richardson, had been in Lyttelton for the purpose of attending the meeting, but had been called away in consequence of the receipt of news that one of his family was suddenly taken ill. , , . , Mr Harman vraa voted to tho oh air, and made tho following statement: I have to report that Mr J. Drummond Maophetson has been duly elected as a member of this Board for tho borough of Lyttelton to fill tho vacancy caused by Mr Murray-Aynsloy’e resignation. The following sums have been paid into the Board’s credit since our last ordinary roosting—Wharfages. £1163 2s fid; towage charges’ , £136 13-. 61 ; pilotage and r-oit charges, November, 1881, £431 6s 9d ; total, £1740 Ss Bd. Tho engineer’s monthly report, on the progress made with the various harbor works in hand will be road. The finance committee met yesterday, and decided in refer cnee to the fixed deposit of £60.000, which matures on the 2nd proximo, that £40,000 #hall be placed on fixed deposit for six months and £13.000 for throe months, and £BOOO bo carried to credit of current account The question of towage charges the finance committee have still under consideration, and in the meantime tho existing towage rates will continue, omitting tho 2d per ton rebate off pilotage. The by-laws reducing the rates of wharfage, pilotage, &3., as adopted by tho Board, have been duly published, and the receipt of copies of them acknowledged by tiio Government, bo that the by-laws will come into operation on tho 2nd January. The towage and dredging returns for this month cannot be laid on tho table to-day, owing to ita not yet being ended. Tha dredge has been stopped for a few days, putting on a new set of bucket#, and it is hoped that aho will now be able to work on uninterruptedly till Jane, by which time the dredging a deep channel to the dock will be completed. Wo have no further advice from Messrs Bell and Miller of tha sailing of the Pampero, or as to what the delay will be. Should wa not hear shortly, I propose to cable to them again. A letter will be road from the Lyttelton Borough Council stating that they cannot agree to the Board’s proposal for fencing in the roadway slip above tho dock with a sft Sioket fence, as recommended by our engineer, at they call upon the Board to erect a permanent stone wall 3ft above the road level, and to repair tho damage done, and to make tho said road to its original width. It will bo remembered that our harbor works committee inspected the slip previous to making their report. The Now Zealand Shipping Company have given six months’ notice of their intention to vacate the red stone building belonging to the Board on tho Peacock wharf property. I have received Q letter from tho Government that the Board’s representations in tho matter of the railway charges on transhipments will receive due consideration. I have also received a letter from the Marine Department, stating that the Minister in charge of that department concurs in the views expressed by tho Lyttelton Harbor Board in reference to representation on the Board of the counties of Ashley and Ashburton and the borough of Sydenham. Messrs Bell and Miller, our consulting engineers, write from Home, under dale of 3rd November, as follows :—“ I hope to send you -» report upon the eleotrio light for your harbor, along with an estimate of cost, by next mail. It is being need at a number of ports now, and is found to be very effective.” Tenders for stores, coal, and ironwork for the ensuing year will be opened to-day. Our annual meeting will take place on Monday, tha 23rd January next. The engineer’s report was read. Tho only portion which engaged the Board’s attention was as follows:—‘‘When the embankment -and slopes are finished, next to tho wing wall of the dock, X shall prepare plans for a breastwork to tha same. This will give a berth for a ship of about 220 feet only. The depth and position are hardly suited for a berth tho same length as the dock, and if this should bo found necessary, I should recommend that a jetty about 350 feet long be built out from tho dock head.” It wag decided to-instruct the engineer not to proceed with any plans for that work for tho present. Accounts amounting to £4562 Is 3d were passed for payment. A letter from tho Lyttelton Town Olerk was read, enclosing report of tho Lyttelton Borough Council’s committee on tho damage sustained to the Governor’s Boy road, and recommending that the Board construct a stone wall along tho injured part. The report was left with tho Harbor Improvement committee. Mr Turpin’s report was read in respect to the work of the dredge and barges, Mr Turpin reported certain complaints against two of the employes—fireman Lawson and a man named Turner. Mr Peacook thought the men should be worked as seamen, under articles, and dealt with accordingly, as being responsible to the captain of the vessel. It was stated that the course suggested was an impracticable one. After discussion Lawson was fined £l, in addition to forfeiting pay for lost time. Turner had left the employ of the Board. Tenders were opened. One from Captain B. Wood, for supplying coal and firewood. Newcastle, 31s and 30s, according to place of '-delivery, '4ss on shore. Native coal, Westport, 31s and 30s ; Springfield, 29s and 28s ; Malvern, 29s and 28s; Grey, 34s 6i Firewood, 365; out, 46s and 48s. The tender as a -whole was under that of last year, and it was -accepted. The Board expressed its adherence to tho principle that Now Zealand coal ohould -be used in preference to Australian, all things being equal. Tend ere'for cast iron, from Mr J. Anderson, Mr J. Pope, and Messrs Scott Brothers, were, opened, but being in detail were referred to Mr Turpin to report upon to the chairman and Mr Harman. Tenders for stores and ship chandlery, &}., were read from Messrs R 'Forbes and H. Hawkins and Co., Lyttelton, end Mr 8. Nashelski of Christchurch. They ■were.-compared shortly and referred to bo dealt with as the previous ones. Mr Cunningham asked if any word of tho unsafe state of the jetty at Governor's Bay had reached tho Board. Mr Williams said a letter had been received, and it was under consideration whether the jetty was under tho \jurisdiction of tho Board. It was decided that necessary repairs be done to tho jetty, so >cu to make it safe for tho travelling public. Mr Cunningham spoke of the danger to 'life which might be expected about tho -Regatta timo in connection with steamers running atout the harbor carrying exeur--aionists, r.nc. upon his motion it was agreed “ The harbor master be ordered to give instructions that all steamers carrying exsur•ssionsots have at leant one boat in the davits awuq.g out -isady for use in case of emergency." MtvOunnnogham also suggested that in view -of the knownli’aots in connection with tho use -of the electric light, the harbor improvement •committee should meet with the Borough <7ouncil of Lyttelton to discuss the advisa-bility-of the town and Board going jointly in fer on-electric service. He said he had information:.of the ocst of the light where it was in use -in other seaports, and where it did not reach more than cne-third of tho cost of gas. He then-flavo tho>l;ollowing notice of motion : —“ That'fche barber improvement committee interview -tlio Lyttelton Borough Council to discuss th-o advisubScness of lighting tha town and harbor-with tho Brush or other electric light.” Mr P-eae.Tcfc gave notice of motion that a recommendation be mode by the Board to the Govenune-ut that when preparing a Bill for increased representation upon the Board, tho borough of St. Albans fca included as entitled to a member the soon.

The Bo vrd sojourned to meet on the 23rd of Januarjat noon, in Christchurch, when tho annual. vsports will bo brought forward.