HARBOUR BOARD.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 315, 27 April 1877, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD.

The regular fortnightly meeting of the Board was held at the Board Chambers to-day. There were present ; —Messrs. Sumpter (chairman), Reid, Gilchrist, Shrimski, Meek, Lemon, Steward, and Borrie. MINUTES. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. OUTWARD CORRESPONDENCE. The outward correspondence was read and approved of. INFORMATION WANTED. Messrs. Oliver and Ulph telegraphed for information as to the lowest charge for wharfage on plant for the Oamaru Waterworks which the Board would make. It was decided to let the consideration of the letter stand over until a later period of the meeting. CHARGES FOR STEAMERS. Mr. James Mills' letter, in reference to the reduction of the warp dues charged on steamers at the Breakwater, to one charge per week for steamers trading regularly, was then taken into consideration. After some discussion, on the motion of Mr. Steward, seconded by Mr. Reid, it was resolved, "That the matter of making a reduction (if any) in the charges for the use of warps stand over for further consideration until next meeting, and that the Standing Committee be directed to furnish a report as to the annual cost to the Board in respect of warps, and the revenue derived from the use of the same." BYELAWS. On the motion of Mr. Shrimski, seconded by Mr. Steward, it was decided that the consideration of the byelaws for the management of the wharf be ordered to lay over until the next meeting, the opinion of a solicitor to be obtained upon the byelaws in the meantime.

ACCOUNTS. A number of accounts were passed for payment. INSTRUCTIONS TO SOLICITORS. Mr. Steward moved, "That Messrs. Hislop and Creagh be again written to, calling their attention to the Board's instructions and their letter of the 10th April, with reference to the disputed account of Mr. James Grave, and that they be again requested to proceed forthwith for the recovery of the same." The motion was seconded by Mr. Reid, and carried. RETURNS. A number of returns asked .for at the last meeting were read.

REPORT OP TRANSACTIONS . The following report of the transac of the Board during the past year read by the Secretary : "Memorandum of the principal t actions of the Board, during the ending on the 31st March, 1877 :- WOKKS. " At the close of the financial yeat ing 31st March, 1877, the Breakwate been carried out to a distance of j from the shore. 338 ft. of wharf had constructed, together with railway li the works, streets, tramways, &c. sum expended on works to that date 1 stated at L 80.708 ISs. 3d. Out oi amount L 39,912 17s. 4d. had been for work done under contract by Mt Walkem, and as this sum exceedei amount of contract price for works t performed by that gentleman for Board, instructions were issued for preparation of plans and specification the extension of the Breakwater other works as the basis of a new tract. " After some negotiation witli above-mentioned contractor, it wai ranged that in consideration of a contract between Messrs. Walkem Peyman and the Board for a furthe: tension of the Breakwater 100 lineal in extent at a slightly reduced pricthe concrete blocks, a deed of ft would be execute i, whereby the cot hitherto subsisting would be closed a; liability determined. " In pursuance of this deed of release was executed by the tractor and by the Board. "A new contract was entered ini the 29th July, which, besides prov for the completion of 100 ft. of B water at a cost of L 6115 10s., secure* sale of the plant on the works t< Board for L 4500, on the completion! extension referred to. "The works under this contract! vigorously proceeded with, and completed in February last, the acci being settled and the plant hi over to the Board on the 31st M Meanwhile, plans and specifications prepared for a further extension o: Breakwater, 200 ft.; No. 1 wharf,; No. 2 wharf, 150 ft., giving 300 ft. t age accommodation ; and No. 3 n 300 ft. Tenders were received, am tender of Mr. D. Miller (Miller

Smilie) accepted, the amounts teni for the several works being as follow! " No. 1 wharf, 50ft. ... £1352 "No. 2 do., 150 ft 5666 "No. 3 do., 300 ft 4024 " Breakwater, 200ffc. ... _ G9SC 1 " The necessity of providing ben accommodation for all the vessels co to the port, and at the same tin saving the expense incurred by the tinuation of the boating service lis been before the Board from time tot it was decided early in the year to ceed with the reclamation of the gn to form a basis of operations in the struction of new wharfage - .- "A new quarry was oy ned on a level—strong bridging being placed a the line so that the traffic to and froi wharf might not be interrupted oi dangered, and about 35,000 yaxb rubble filling was done at a cost of I 7s-. lid., inclusive of the cost of brii and plant —the latter (which is ava for the construction of the new whs costing L 1398 Bs. 4d. Numerous i works have been done to complet wharves, lines, and moorings, these 1 so far as they go, in an efficient state "Cement for the works has been su] under contract by Messrs. Guthrii Larnach, and Messrs. Cargills, Gibbs Co., and Turnbull and Co. The ex[ ture on this item being LBBSO 6s. 4d

HARBOUR. " The Provincial Government ha made a stipulation that, on the delegs of the powers vested in the Superit dent of the Province, the Board \f assume the management and expen; j the harbour staff, Captain Sewell | employed by the Board as Harb master; the care of the light-house the payment of the light-keeper undertaken by the Board, and a pilo' assist the Harbour-Master was appoin " Additional lights have been ere at the steps and at the end of the Bn water, and a night-watchman has \ kept on the wharves and Breakwater i ing the greater part of the year. ' ' Four new mooring buoys have 1 laid, and constant care has been obser to maintain the mooring tackle in a si of efficiency. "The Rocket Brigade formed oiw the branches of the harbour departffl maintained by the Provincial Governmt and the Board resolved to continue service a reduction being made in | cost from Ll5O to L 72. An effort hash made to get the Colonial Government support this institution, as well as. light on the Cape, but thus far with avail. " The port was visited during the y by 391 vessels, 388 of which cleared o wards, the remainder being in harbo The tonnage inwards was 44,861 ; o wards, 44,845 —being a slight increase last year ; there being no casualties.

BOATING. " At the end of the last financial)'« the boating staff consisted of 30 men, ff cost the Board L4BO 10s. per month i wages alone. "This Btaff has from time to time, opportunity afforded, been reduced, t number of men being now 12, and the i penditure L 157 per month. As, howev« occasional labour may have to be & ployed, the expenditure will not, in * likelihood, be under L2OOO per annum ft wages, and lAC^ te ' i ;!s!b.be required for n newals and repan>K s / " There being berthage for two vesse only at the wharf, and the regular tradii steamers having the preference, a vei

1,. ~ > |f:i on of the loading and tmI'j,,.'. <■' ruling craft has stilt to be done , i,, ;it:-. ; but. it is anticipated that, on ..,.,,jjil'jUou of the new wharves now in • 9( j of construction, the whote of the | t will he done afc the wharves, and the ijn«>- service may by discontinued; en'it him been shown, that this service. ta present reduced condition, wilt rb LiiHOO for wages and maintenance |y, which represents a capital of Li>">7, per cent interest and sinking fund, it one third of which sum wilt comj the wharfage now being constructed lu> Board, leaving the other two thirds o towards the construction of more t,. or to be devoted to the reduction of ing and (shipping {charges, in other Ist, the wharves* now being constructed ;d be paid for in less than live- years to saving in expenditure if the boatjuparttneut was no longer necessary.

[n. addition to the expense of boating ictirred by the limited wharfage accomodation must, be inetuded the cost of rimirjjo. During the year two steam runes belonging to the Hoard have been (instantly employed in loading and disvessels, and for some time back ilusi! cranes have been supplemented by im railway crane. These cranes are aholntely necessary for the rapid despatch if vessels and for unloading the boats, ,ml fts they are of a light description, the Jiinrd has issued; instructions authorising liu purchase of a third crane of a heavier, inscription, foe the stone traffic. " At present the expense <>f this service i» paid out of the landing and shipping ebritfi. out it is anticipated that whea there is sufficient wharfage accommodation to berth each vessel within a reasonable time after arrival, this work could be made self-sup-porting by making a small charge, and the amount saved would- enable the Hoard to still-further reduce the charges on good?. KSTATK. " In the papers relating to the Hoard's [transactions of last year it was stated that property of the value of Llo,o<)<> had- been fureehd on- the land leased by the Hoard lin Bfurhotir-streot and Tyne-street, arid that the advantage to the railway and- to the public to have such a property connected with the main lines by rait was already apparent. "The experience of those ad rani aire-.' (hiving the past year has more than verified, the most sanguine antic'patious. Buildings have; been, and are being, ereuicd on the properly, bringing the vji'ue from Lt<"UH)O to Ll'O.oOO, t:,e greater part of the outlay being upon grain and wool stores of the most substantial el.aractt r.

''S> l:i.r;';o h'.w b!iti tr;il!iu k'ct>UH< th:i.t up i . '"• "fi-> bring fcjilieu to pfiiviilr fiH--t! :• -. ' ■••■■ :•> !'■ ■■< 'aodatinrv in cnrnu-u&lon

8' ' : •-■•■ '■• I-'.isi ii it auction- (luring tlip }•■..-. ■: ' ■.,!.!;<■,: fair nutala, t£i« tnf;il ,t ,: ;.U :■'•■' this portion of the I' . -i's ~ i .-■. l.yinj; t«l7r>o f!Vt.

,\i v , iHci■.-. (<>v tlif conduct ft th <■■■,,:'« hesllii s.s have heell etYCVt I 0,l Ku-,i"i; 1.-it'(-.lie Hoard's property, coa-usi.-itijf of public ami private oliiees mi the llnor, and E»<>anl room and inspector's dllico oil the first tlndf. Tut- design fur Hio biiildiri;* was prepared by the iH;ereta.ry tn tin; Hoard, arid the c«»s*ft amounted to L7<!!> tU 8tL r Messrs. l!«-i and Uowlauds being the contractors for the masons' work, and carpenters' work respectively.

" Tlio most importan.'' event of the- year in this connection was the aei|UtsUiou of (»),<)(!<) acres of pastoral bud, which iva.i granted to tli« itoard liy Act <>i Ueueral Assembly ilk the last meeting of Parliam ct it.

'' Kar'y in the year a. deputation proceeded to Vellington to ascertain t!u) intentions of the tiovermuent with. reference, tn tin; Board's bonds, and also to s«: Whether it Would be possible to obtain a landed endowment.

"Tli« deputation reported the willingness of tl;t; Colonial Treasurer and others to support such a. measure, and. the itoa.nl at once uonsutted. with the- members for the district, Messrs. Kislop and Sbnmskt, with "efen-nee to a hill for tin: pn>p..s e d endowment. Mi\ Kislop, as representative, kindly offered to draft the bill, arid it was brought forward by Mr. Shriwskr. tt passed both, Houses, and reeeiv, d the assent of his fcxeelleney thy tiiitcriff on the Stst of tlctoU-r. tß7f'>. The land is known as tlnn !So. IHO (Utetuatafa Station), and is at present held under pastoral lease by Messrs. Teschmaker and IV, at a rental of about L~l'>o per annum. The tease expires in JBB'„\ when it is anticipitted that, by judicious management in releasing, the income therefrom, may I'm greatly increased.

" At the close of the last financial year the tloard had expended Ll!?,W<:> out of advances made tut the debentures by the Colonial iwvernvuent. it having been agreed that advances wonld be made at the ralie of Ltr>,()<)() per annum, up b>LwO.OUO; should tin; tlovernruent see tit. the wlit>to of the Board's debentures, amounting to LtOO,fH)O. being deposited us security.

'• Entiuiatum was, however., stout to thy P-oarit at ttie beginning of the year that the (.rovermutmt wouhl not invest tct move thaa L".<)yUot> oH the r»oant'» debenture*. and >Ef»sr». M*Le.arv and Meek were deputed to wait (!>n the tfo?emruent with ft view fcn altering tfie'u- deeunou., and obtain, it possible, Mie ;u[varu;e of the remaining LSO.wo. T1,,.) s.uvwKtteil in sc-ttin.ir L"tW r !l *■' the 'lei). i:t.tirts,. arid reported that *l" "i'UKuntl.>T of thw botwU placed with the ' invevum- »r, ;w security woidd be hafc-l-i !)it ,;^-~ iU , F>()nrcL * '*■ ' ! c'liuum .I f»,r the .Board to *nak rmuts with tfustr battkt-f» for *» tv. ; -nirat'R to rueet current ex|pen3C3 T

nl place the remainder of the bonds, amounting to Lt»5.000, in the market. Application was made t*> the manager of the National Dank of Xew Zealand for the necessary overdraft, and while this application was tinder the consideration of the Hank authorities, the rontr.n-t with Mr, Watkem was closed, and a cheque for the balance of hid account drawn and paid to tum. This cheque, amounting t»» L4:>11» sa. od., the manager of the National Dank refused to cash.

Ji Tenders were immediately called for the Hoard's account, and satisfactory terms were mad*; with the t'nion Dank of Australia for overdraft and agency. The lJ',r>,<tmO bonds were placed in the hands of the bank for negotiation, and were sold by them at the average rate of LIOO 17s. eat'h.

'" After recouping the hank the amount of overdraft to date, VJTkVM 1 *>.-*. Id.. there wilt be. a balance of L-10,117 VJ*. tld available for improvement.-*. The works contracted for will, with cement and (engineering expenses, absorb LoU»!>t> Wn. *>d~, leaving a balanc- of L'MilT l"rf. ~>d. to be devoted to further improvements.

" In further explanation of the transactions of the Hoard are attached hereto statements nffrecwipts and expenditure, profit and b>s* account. wharf and landing department, and shipping, together with balance-sheet for the year ending M*t March. IS-77, and estimates for the year ending ."?st March, IS7HL" Mr. JStewari* moved. *• That the report be adopted with the thanks of the Hoard for the pains taken by the Secretary :»> its compilation, and that tfve financial Statements, to-tlay presented, after bring certified by the auditors, be print-d in pam-phlet-form for submission to Parliament." Seconded by Mr. n*:f>, and carried. [We regret that, owing o» thy length of the above recoct, we are compelled to hold over until to-num/ow the remainder of our report of the Hoard's proceedings.)