HARBOR BOARD.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 654, 7 June 1878, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Board was held to-day at the Harbor Chambers. There were present—Messrs. Snmnter (Chairman), Steward, Shrimski, Meek, Lemon. The minutes of the la*' m acting and a special meeting were read aud confirmed, and the outward correspondence was read and approved. The first business before the Boa: ' .vas a consideration of certain matters in connection with the improvement of the Breakwater. It had been intended to examine the Engineer (Mr. M'Gregor) and the Harbor Master (Captain Seweil) with regard to the advisability of placing fender-piling along the outer portion of the Breakwater, and of making a mole, or temporary return from tho Breakwater. The Engineer was unable to attend, but forwarded the following report upon the subject:— I regret that it will be impossible for me to return to Oamaru in time to attend the Harbor Board meeting on Tuesday morning, and wish you would kindly apologise to the Board for my unavoidable absence. I will, however, endeavor to submit my opinions on the subjects to be discussed by the Board in anticipation of the probable questions that would be put to me. 1. I am of opinion that the Board should proceed with the proposed timber-facing to the Breakwater, as already suggested, and in accordance with the estimates submitted at last meeting. It seems to me to be of the utmost importance to make the greatest possible use of the total length of breakwater already constructed, and this can only be done by converting the inner side into a wharf. At the present stage of the works it > is the position whore the greatest available depth of water can be obtained, and all that is required to make it available for loading and discharging ships 1173 to at least 16' feet draft, is to construct the wharf and a temporary structure at the eud, to prevent the " send " from disturbing the vessels while lying there. 2. I am of opinion that no structure of .1 permanent character should be built at the present unfinished end of the breakwater, j with the object of preventing the "send" from disturbing the vessels berthed at the proposed wharf. To construct a solid and permanent wall, running in a westward direction from a point that may only be said to be about one-half of the future length of the breakwater 1 , would, I consider, ruin the complete design for the Oamaru harbor. I do not anticipate any difficulty in designing and constructing a temporary work at a very moderate cost that will answer all the purposes of sheltering the ships, and enable them to load and discharge with perfect safety. I have two designs in view at the present moment, but would like a little more time to elaborate them, to ascertain which would 'be the cheapest and most effectual as a temporary structure, and the most easily removed afterwards. But in any case I have no hesitation in recommending the Board to proceed with the wharf, and long before it is finished, the work at the end can be w T ell considered and discussed by the Board.

Captain Sewell was questioned upon the subjects, and stated that were fenderpiling placed alongside the Breakwater it would enable vessels to be loaded and discharged, provided it did not interfere with the carrying on of the Breakwater works. He would then be able to discharge a vessel drawing 15ft., or to load a vessel drawing 14ft. The construction of a return would enable vessels to be placed alongside the Breakwater at times when, without it, they could not be brought in. This would, of course, be a great advantage, as it would enable the work of discharging them being gone on with much

earlier than might otherwise be the case. The fact of the sea breaking over the Breakwater would not in the least jeopardise vessels alongside of it, though it would at times interrupt the work. If a return were made it would make the whole of the Breakwater more available, and greatly improve the harbour for all

purposes. The construction of a return at present would not be disadvantageous to the continuation of the work, as it would be useful afterwards as a wharf. He was in favor of a permanent return as against a temporary return. A return would not interfere with vessels going in to or out from the Breakwater. With the present appliances he would be able to put 200 tons of cargo on board a vessel in one day. If a temporary return were made additional moorings would be required. If a permanent return were put in it should be placed not less than 300 ft. from the end of the present wharf. He thought it would be better to make a return from the Breakwater than to put the proposed additional 50ft. on to the present wharf. Of course a continuation of the wharf the whole length of the Breakwater would be preferable to a mere fender-piling. Some other questions having been answered, Captain Sewell was thanked for liis attendance, and withdrew. After a short discussion, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Meek, seconded by Mr. Lemon, that the Engineer be instructed to proceed at once with the work of constructing the fender-piling alongside the Breakwater, as recommended in the Engineer's report. A telegram was read from Mr. Conyers, stating that a reply to the Board's letter had been posted yesterday. On the motion of Mr. Steward, it was decided that, should Mr. Conyers not accede to the request of the Board to reduce the charges on the Breakwater line, the deputation appointed -it the last meeting for the purpose of interviewing Mr. Conyers on the subject should pi-occed to Christchurch on 'Monday. A letter was read from Mr. Alex. Ken-, asking if the Board would again submit sections 5, 6, and 7, on the north side of the Lagoon, or if they were willing to receive an oiler for the sections.

It was decided that it was not expedient to let the sections in question at present.

Accounts to the amount of LSO.'j I.os. lOd. were passed for payment, and the Board rose.