GISBORNE HARBOR BOARD.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 59, 6 February 1884, Page 2

GISBORNE HARBOR BOARD.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Harbor Board took place last night in the Borough offices, Lowe street. Present—Mr. Townley (in the chair), and Members Lewis, Tutohen, Joyce, Hepburn, Brown, Smith, and Tucker. The minutes of the previous meeting were first read and confirmed. OUT-GOING CORRESPONDENCE. The Secretary then read the following outgoing correspondence To Mr. Thomas, re wharf dues not having been paid in; to Minister of Marine Department, re annual statement. in-coming correspondence. Tho following in-coming correspondence was then read :—• Auckland Harbor Board. Sir,—l have the honor to enclose herewith, for your information, a copy of the financial statements of this Board for the past year.—l have, &c., J. Brigham, Secretary. To the Secretary of the Gisborne Harbor Board. The Secretary was instructed to acknowledge the receipt of the same. The following letter was next read :— Gisborne, Jan. 81, 1884. To J. Bourke, Esq., Town Clerk. Sir, —The ferryman, Mr. Davis, has refused to ferry one of my girls over the river on her way to the Government school, giving as a reason that she, being over the age specified by the Act, he would abide by it. The girl is sixteen years of age.—l am, &c., G. H. Wilson. Mr. Tutchen thought that Mr. Wilson should be informed that the girl, being over fifteen, would have to pay. Mr. Lewis moved “ That Mr. Wilson be referred to the Education Act.”—Carried. The following letter, re stock-yard, was then read and discussed :— |

Toanga, Feb* 1, 1884. To the Gisborne Harbor Hoard. 1 intend shipping cuttle by first boat, I find that theye is no lead into tne race. A panel is requisite to guide them to the race. The gate at the race should be close boarded, as a bullock in close quarters is bound to charge the party closing the gate in its present open state. The left side of the race also wants boarding, to prevent parties On the wharf seeing into race and stopping the cattle; I consider the yard is not secure to hold stock; it wants another rail all round it. The space between the third and fourth rails would let a bullock out. Owing to the height of the yard I consider it very necessary that some provision be made for the safety of parties working the cattle, and beg to suggest that two posts be erected upright at each corner to allow a man to get behind if charged. Trusting that you will give this your full consideration, as it is very urgent,—l am, <tc., Ewen Cameron. Mr. Tutchen moved “ That the matter be left to the Public Works Committee.” Mr. Hepburn said the complaint was well founded. If the rail was not put up, the cattle would get out, Mr. Tutchen pointed out that a longer wing was required. In answer to Mr, Townley, the Engineer said the cost of the necessary alterations would be about £6 or £7. Mr. Smith pointed out the necessity which existed for dividing the yard into two compartments; Mr. Tptchen agreed with Mr. Smith, and thought it should be left to the Public Works Committee and the Engineer, This was agreed to. The following communication from the Marine Department was read: — Wellington, Jan. 29, 1884. Sir, —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter df the 24th inst., forwarding a copy of the audited accounts of the Gisborne. Harbor Board for the year ended the Bist December, 1883.—1 have, Ac., William Seed. The Secretary of the Gisborne Harbor Board. engineer’s report. Gisborne, Feb. 5, 1884. To the Chairman of the Gisborne Harbor Board. Sir—l have the honor to report as fob lows Stockyard Slip Ralls—l have had the defeet complained of at last meeting remedied. The rails are however, very heavy and unwieldly and the general opinion seems to be that a gate would be more convenient. We have a set of hinges, and a suitable gate could be made and erected for £2 10s. Proposed groin or regulating dyke— Having examined the bed of the river between the wharf and the ferry I find very little trace left of the sand-bank which used to exist in the middle of the river and split the stream in two channels. The bed appears to slope pretty uniformly from the western to the eastern side, where the deepest water is. Under these circumstances I think that a groin erected above the creek (between the creek and ferry) would not improve the channel near the wharf because there is no central bank to keep the water on the western side. On the accompanying plan I show a dyke commencing just below the creek and terminating nearly in mid-stream about 200 feet above the end of the wharf. I had at first placed the dyke further down the stream but the Harbormaster thought it might interfere with the navigation. The length of the work is 396 feet. It would consist of a double row of piles watiled with fascines, the two rows 6ft. apart and the space between filled up with layers of earth or stones as shown in the sketch. The top of the work would be at half tide level. I estimate the cost at £2OO. The consent of Government as provided by Act, would have to be obtained before proceeding with this work. The timber from the old stock-yard has not been sold, as if the above work is carried out we shall find a use for most of it.

Fenders for new Wharfi — It has been pointed out to me that the metal sheathing of the piles in the new wharf is likely to be injured and possibly torn off by vessels lying there, unless this danger is provided against by fenders, that is to say pieces of timber fastened to the piles between the top and bottom wales, as shown in the margin. The fenders might be of 9 x 4 totara in which case the total cast would be £6. Wharf Contract. — The contractors have now nearly completed the work. It will probably be finished on Thursday. Before a final settlement can be made the Board will have to decide on the claim made by the contractors to be paid extra for the six piles alongside present wharf. Also whether the extras of which I gave a list in my report of Dec. 27th, 1883, are to be allowed) and also whether the penalty for overtime (£2 per day) is to be inflicted. I am, dfcc., Reynolds, Borough Engineer. HTOOK-YABD RAILS. Mr. Hepburn thought it very necessary to have a gate in lieu of the heavy 81ip-rails» Mr. Joyce moved—“ That the matter stand over for the present.”—-Carrledi Mr. Lewis thought it advisable to consider the matter further before deciding to lay out this £2OO. Mr. Joyce moved—' 1 That the consideration of the subject stand over for the present, with a view of giving further time for observa-tion.”—-Carried. LENDERS TO WHARF, Mr. Lewis moved and Mr. Joyce seconded—- “ That this portion of the report be adopted. ’ ’—Carried, WHAM* EXTRAS. Mr. Smith asked whether the. extras had been undertaken by the direction of the Engineer, and was answered in the affimative. Mr. Joyce said the Public Works Committee considered that some of the so-called extras were included in the contract. Mr. Smith said the Engineer was not of that opinion. Mr. Joyce—All the Public Works Com-

mittee differ with him (the Engineer) entirely. Mr. Townley said there was the question as to the piles, which were not marked on the plan, and which were now charged as an extra. Mr, Joyce said a resolution had previously been passed ordering the matter to stand over until the work was finally completed. Mr. Tutchen moved—“ That the considerstion of extras stand over until next week,”— Carried. PAYMENTS. Wharfinger’s salary, £5 55.; Clerk of Works’ salary, £5 10s.; C. H. C. Webb, £9 2s. 9d.; Kennedy and Bennett, £1 6s. WHARF LAMP.

The Secretary said the wharf lamp in its present position was of little use, being too remote to serve the purpose sought. Mr. Joyce thought this a matter of great importance to passengers and others who had to go over the wharf. He would move “ That two lamps be erected on the wharf, in proper positions.” Mr. Hepburn seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr. Tucker thought the Borough should give the extra lamp to the Harbor Board. Mr. Brown thought the Harbor Board should buy their own lamp. Mr. Joyce moved, and Mr. Hepburn seconded, “ That the Chairman of the Public Works Committee and the Engineer select and erect the lamp in the best place.”— Carried. WHARF SHED. Mr. Tutchen moved “ That the Engineer select a site for the erection of wharf offices and sheds.” Mr. Hepburn would second the motion, providing the old searching - shed were removed. i Mr. Lewis moved, and Mr. Smith seconded, f as an amendment, “ That the Engineer be J instructed to select a site for an office only.” J He thought that if such a thing as a waiting < shed was at all necessary the Union Com- t pany were the proper people to see to it. He - was strongly opposed to spending the public t money on such a thing. Mr. Tucker concurred with the last 1 remark that the Union Company were the I parties to see to this matter. | I

Mr. Joyce also agreed with the last speakers, There was an hotel close by, and shelter oouH easily obtained there, Mr; Tuuker thought tl*y Borough Council Bhdiild provid** cabs to oftrFy them to the hotel. (Laughter.) The amendment was put and carried. After a short discussion re the allocation under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act, the meeting adjourned;