TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

South Canterbury Times, Volume XV, Issue 2066, 6 November 1879, Page 2

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

The members of this Board held an ordinary monthly meeting this morning. Present —F. Archer, Esq., (Chairman), and Messrs Acton, E. Elworthy, F. Barker and W. C- Beswick.

Correspondence received was read as follows = —

From Messrs Royse, Stead and Co., offering to dispose of the steam tug Lioness to the Board for £SOOO cash should a tug be required for the port. From the Napier Harbor Board, requesting that a copy of the wharfage rates, light dues, &c., for the port be forwarded.

The Secretary stated the report upon the same was in preparation by the committee appointed. From the Timaru Rocket Brigade, enclosing annual report and balancesheet, and a resolution passed by the Brigade at its last meeting, and which was reported in our journal a few days ago. Mr Acton said before anything definite should be done he thought the secretary of the Brigade should have informed the Board of the approximate cost of maintaining the Brigade. Mr Elworthy remarked that the report stated that two members of the Brigade would wait on the Board. Messrs Jackson and Tennant interviewed the Board, and in reply to questions put, stated that the rateage of expenses was governed by the number of casualties. The Brigade would require a rocket stand, whip, hawser, and rockets, but had these at present in hand.

Mr Elworthy remarked, the Brigade did not at present appear to be in need of money. Mr Tennant replied that Mr Elworthy s supposition was correct. What the Brigade required was that the plant they now possessed if rendered useless or lost should he renewed by tbe Board. An income of £2O per annum could be looked to by the Brigade. The cost of cartage at the loss of the schooner Pelican was £lO. The Chairman notified the matter would bo considered by the Board and the deputation withdrew. It was finally decided that the Board undertake the maintenance of the plant of the Brigade and from time to time, favorably consider any expenditure incurred in working tbe same beyond the resources of the Brigade. From the Treasury notifying the lodging of £lB4, refund duty for cement to the banking account of the Board. From the Marine department re Floating light at the Bluff, and Sunken rock at Poverty Bay. Also containing supplement to the British vessels for the month of September. From Mr John Anderson requesting the payment of the balance due on the crane, the SOOft mole being now complete. Mr Acton read a resolution passed at the Board meeting of the 24th June postponing payment in full for the machine till four and a half months from thst date. He considered Mr Anderson’s application premature. Mr Elworthy endorsed this opinion and proposed adjournment of the question till the next Board meeting

As Mr Anderson was in attendance on the Board it was decided to hear him upon the subject. Mr Anderson said that relative to the question of a further test of the crane, the Board would recollect the crane had not done so much of its work yet, and he had considered it would not be necessary to go any further with the test, and he had not therefore said anything relating thereto in his letter. Mr Elworthy remarked the crane was to be originally a 69 ton one, Mr Anderson said the Board would recollect that the crane at the official test, just lifted the 60 tons off the ground, and then broke, owing to an imperfection. He had lost no time in getting this repaired, and the crane was really stronger now than before. Mr Acton enquired how long these repairs occupied P Mr Anderson replied about a fortnight. A resolution passed by the Board in June last was read. Mr Acton asked Mr Anderson if the crane was not to have been made to travel round a curve. Mr Anderson said this he had found not to be feasible, although the contract specified to that effect. Mr Acton enquired if no cranes were ever made in Groat Britain to travel round curves P Mr Anderson replied in the negative. Mr Elworthy asked Mr Anderson had he considered the question of how the difficulty of the crane’s not traversing a curve, was to be surmounted ? Mr Anderson said yes ; but he would also remind the Board, even if the whole of the money due to him was paid, he would be a heavy loser. This, of course, had nothing to do with the Board, as he had apparently entered on the contract with his eyes open. The Board would be able to judge of the cost of the machine, which was a very cheap purchase by the Board, without counting labor, when he informed them there were 100 tons dead weight of iron in the crane. He had also obtained extra wheels, although these had not been specified for in the contract, thus avoiding a four month’s delay of working the crane. He then withdrew. After a short discussion it was resolved, owing to the small attendance members of the Board, tydefef the flues-

tions till the next monthly Board ingThe Engineer’s report was read. It recommended the calling for tenders for 1000 tons of cement, and advised that no further test of the crane be made. Mr G-oodall, in his report, declined to advise the Board to proceed with any reclamations north of the breakwater. The report of the general manager of the Landing Service was read. The recommendations of the Engineer regarding an additional supply of cement and sheet piling were adopted, and a resolution authorising the calling for tenders for the same carried. Mr G-oodall, in reply to the board, said he advised the crane not being tested again because it had broken twice previously, and although it would not lift 60 tons it would suffice for the work of the Board. Mr Elworthy enquired what would be the cost of a traverse. Mr Goodall replied that he did not think it could be placed down at under £350. The reports were adopted. Accounts to the amount of £2493 were passed for payment. The Board adjourned till Tuesday at noon.