OAMARU HARBOR BOARD.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1268, 30 April 1880, Page 2

OAMARU HARBOR BOARD.

Board"was held to-day, when ttalpmpH present—Mr. G. Sumpter (Chairman), thcT Hons. It. Campbell and H. J. Miller, Messrs, Hassell, Aitken, Shrimski, Gibbs, and Menlove. Mr. M'Gregor, Engineer, was also present. , The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, , A number of unimportant letters were read. . A plan showing alternative schedules for so improving the harbor as to provide facilities and .security for large vessels was -laid upo,n the table. Several members expressed opinions that it would be highly desirable to provide accommodation for grain and wool vessels in time for next .season. The suggested, as a, possible, gleans of obtaining shelter rapidly, that the construction of the jetty shown by the Engineer on the plan as nearly in a line with Arun-street might be proceeded with, and constructed so as to exclude the swell. By deepening the area between that and the shore, accommodation for a number of i vessels could be secured with comparatively still water, supposing the jetty were sufficiently extended as to form a small opening between| it a,nd Norman by Wharf, To this several members, while agreeing that the proposal ■ presented attractive features, said it wouldprobably besoexpensive as to militate against the. construction of the north wall. A long discussion then took place, during which it was pointed out that in whatever direction the Board might decide to proceed it would be negessary not to enter upon so large an outlay as to reduce the available balance that it would be impossible out of the present loan to complete "the north wall suggested by the engineer in his report of the 17th January. Several proposals were considered, and it was moved by the Hon. H. J. Miller, " That the Engineer be requested—l, to call for tenders for cement at once; 2, to proceed with the construction of th§ breakwater with the greatest possible dispatch consistent with efficiency; 3, to have Normanby Wharf extended 300 feet; 4, to report as soon as convenient upon the most suitable kind of dredge for the use of the Board, together with the probable cost of the same, with the view of dredging a channel alongside Normanby Wharf not less than 22 feet deep." Mr. Aitken said that, while he concurred with the other portions of the resolution, he must object to that part relating to the extension of the Wharf, He thought eventually that part of the harbor would be abandoned, and the trade brought nearer the town, Mr, Hassell agreed with the remarks of Mr, Aitken, and thought that they should not attempt to extend the Normanby Wharf until the north wall had been carried out some distance, as they might be running some risk, and might take away from the funds necessary for the north wall.

The Engineer said that ; he thought it would be worth while to run a little risk in order to get large vessels in without delay. The breakwater could be extended at the rate of from 30 feet to 40 feet per month, anda considerable amount of protection would thus be provided. The Chairman mentioned that the cost of the extension of Normanby Wharf would be L4OOO, of the dredge LSOOO, and of the dreding required to provide berths at the Normanby Wharf for- Jarge ships LIOOO, making a total of This woul4 leave sufficient funds for the construction of the north wall. The matter simply resolved itself into the consideration of the point whether or not it wo.uld not be well to provide facilities for large ships in far the rjest wool season. He certainly thought that they should do so, and was strongly in favor of the resolution moved by the Hon. Mr. Miller.

The Hon. Mr. Miller said did not wis]} tq ?un any risk, and did not care to press that part of his resolution referring to the extention of the Normanby Wharf if it was thought that they would be running any considerable risk. He had simply moved the reservation in order that th§ mating flight have something definite before it. He was strongly opposed to run any risk. • After a little further discussion, }t was agreed tp adjouyn until |wo, o'clock in order that the Engineer, (Secretary, and Harbormaster might consult, and lay before the meeting their opinions upon the proposal. On resuming, the Engineer stated that he had consulted with Captain Sewell upon the matter, and that gentleman had said that if the Norm an by Wharf were extended 300 feet and dredging done to a depth of 20 feet, h$ would accept the responsibility of mooring large vessels alongside of it, provided that proper tackling were given him. Hp had also consulted Mr. §hai}d upon t|ie matter, an 4 he had expressed the opinion that it would be better to dredge alongside the Macandrew Wharf, urging that a better berth could be secured there, with better moorings.

The Chairman and the Hon. Mr. Miller said that it would be folly to contemplate dredging near the Breakwater, as it -vfoul.d bp 3, grpat risk.

Mr. M'Grregor further stated tflafc Captain Sewelf tad' that the beat berth at tjip Iformasby Whapf was! the beat berth jn the pprt.' Jf so ij; §tpo_4 tq reason that a continuation of that berth would present equally good features. The Harbor Master had also suggested the construction of another wharf from the Breakwater, proper towards the Norman by Wharf, which, with dredging, would give an additional berth and provide shelter. Mr, Aitkpn sais that he npt see any necessity for copying to a deoision that day. It was very evident that the Board intended to deviate from Mr. M'Gregor's last proposal, and he thought before doing anything they should have a written report from the Engineer upon the question. A delay of a-fortnight or a jßqnth Wfiuld nqt be of very great consequence. The Gliairman said that he must correct Mr. Aitken upon the statement that the I Board proposed to deviate froift Mr. M-Qrogor's plan. The \yoj%s proposed were a pqrtibn of Mr. M'Gregor's "complete scheme. Mr. M'Gregor stated that he had shewn the proposed works on his plan, and he believed that he had even given estimates of the : cost. He certainly thought the works proposed • should be undertaken, not because h 0 thought they were complete, but because he was of opinion that they would be the best temporary expedient for providing for large vessels,!, He did not think that the berth would be all that could be desiredj but it"would answerall the present purposes. It was deemed necessary to provide accommodation fpy

large vessels without delay, and hoi thought that if it was necessary it would be well to carry out the works, for if they waited until the larger scheme could be completed they would not be able to offer facilities for large vessels for three years. In the meantime it was probable that the trade would have left the port. Mr. Shrimski advocated the postponement of consideration of the question until a future meeting. It was unfair to the public and the Engineer to hurriedly come to a decision upon the matter. Mr. Aitken then proposed, and Mr. - Hassell seconded, "That the, consideration of the extension of Normanby Wharf be postponed until next meeting# After some little further discussion, the question was put. The amendment was negatived and the original resolutioncarried.* i Mr. Shrimski askedgSßpFliis dissent might be recorded gxjtfHßground that it was determined taßßjffviate from the original plan, money would be that there would the north walk With reference to the and soliciting the to their appliances iariftjflHHHHßpr the construction of of the floating of tha loakaiid to soon hear of the float* ing of the whole loan. It was resolved that the Engineer be requested to',visit Moeraki, with a view to. ascertaining whether any material suitable to the requirements of the. Board could be procured there, and to report. AocoUnts to the amount of L 5658 2s 7d weye passed for payment, and the Board rosfe. ..) 1 ■ •