TIMARU HARBOUR BOARD

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2358, 7 October 1880, Page 2

TIMARU HARBOUR BOARD

The usual monthly meeting of the Board was held to-day. Present —Messrs F. Ai’cher (Chairman), M. Studholme, W. Moody, W. Evans, M. Turnbull, W. C. Beswick, Sutter, and E. Acton. Apologies for non-attendance were received from Messrs Hall, Barker, and Gray. watermen. The Board resolved itself into a special meeting to consider the bye-law in reference to licensing watermen. WHARFAGE REGULATIONS. Correspondence was read between the Board and the traffic manager of railways, relative to the working of the wharves. Mr Hannay stated that as the result of an interview with Mr Burnett, Mr Goodall, and himself,it had been arranged that the Board should make a formal application to the Government, shewing what they required, and that he had recommended to the Minister of Public works that the wharves should be worked in the same way as at Lyttelton, all goods arriving being loaded in trucks and delivered through the railway sheds, and goods despatched passing through the sheds in like manner, the charges to he Is 6d per ton with a minimum charge of 6d per ton. The writer added that of course consignments to or from stores will not pass through the sheds.

It was resolved on the motion of Mr Evans that the letter of the traffic manager stand over till next meeting for information and discussion, and that the secretary write in the meantime asking for further information relative to the proposed siding charges. CEMENT. Messrs Cargill, Gibbs and Co. wrote, intimating that the Durham had arrived with 1400 casks cement, and that they had received advices of the shipment of the remainder of the Board’s contract; also requesting a loan of 500 casks ex City of Sparta for the Camara Harbor Board. It was decided to comply with the request. ROAT-SHED APPLICATION. Mr F. Bradley, boatbuilder, applied for permission to erect a boat shed 200 yards north of the Breakwater. It was decided to reply that the Board had no objection to the proposal. THE NEW WHARF. Mr James Philp, contractor for the new timber wharf applied for an extension of two months for the completion of his contract, the timber which he expected from Australia having been delayed. The Chairman stated that since the application was written the timber in question had arrived at Port Chalmers. It was resolved to grant an extension of one month. THE IHG CRANE DISPUTE, Messrs Perry .and Perry, solicitors, wrote intimating that they had been served with a writ of the Supreme Court for acceptance by the Board, at the instance of Mr Anderson, re the balance alleged to be due on the steam crane, and stating that the case, which they hoped and believed would result favorably for the Board, would probably be heard at the December sittings of the Supreme Court. Some discussion took place as to the proceedings to be taken. Mr Goodall explained that the contract in dispute had been signed by John Anderson, junior, on behalf of his father. The subject having been discussed in committee, it was resolved that Messrs Perry and Perry be instructed to retain the services of Mr Stout in the interests of the Harbor Board. TENDERS. The following tenders were received for the supply of 2000 tons of cement: — Per ton. £ s. d. Wm. Spcdding, Dunedin ... 4 10 3 C. W. Turner, Christchurch... 4 15 10 Wood, Shand & Co., Christchurch ... ... ... 5 0 91 Guthrie & Larnach, Dunedin 4 15 11 Cargill, Gibbs & Co., Dunedin 4 10 0 Some discussion took place as to the test strain of the cement, which had been increased from lOOOlbs to 12001bs, Mr Moody submitting that the lowest tender showed an increase on the rate paid under the old standard of 4s Od per ton. The engineer, in reply to questions, stated that the lOOOlbs cement was quite good enough. Mr Sutter considered that having invited tenders and the tenderers having complied with the conditions, they were bound to deal with them. He moved that the tender of C. W. Turner be accepted. Mr Turnbull moved an amendment that the tender of Guthrie and Larnach be accepted, pointing out that in the latter case the cement would come by sea, and the payments to the lauding service would far more than compensate for the slight difference between the lowest and second lowest tenders. The amendment was lost, and it was resolved to accept the tender of Mr Turner. THE DREDGER. A letter was forwarded by the National Mortgage and Agency Co., from Priestman Bros, expressing regret that so much delay had occurred re the delivery of the patent dredger.

engineer's report. The following report was submitted : —I have the honor to report that during last month only one length of the monolith of the mole was completed. A set of blocks for another length have been laid for some time, but on account of the continued fine weather these have not subsided sufficiently to admit of the superstructure being completed. The contractors took advantage of the slack time to repair parts of the monolith that suffered during the heavy seas of last winter. With respect to the future works and the question of carrying on the works by day labor I have sent in a separate report. A turntable will bo required for the crane when the works arc extended another 200 ft. I beg to recommend that one be ordered from England from a firm who make them as a speciality. Two signal lamps have been ordered from Messrs A. and T. Burt, Dunedin. I expect their arrival shortly. From enquires made respecting steel wheels for the concrete block wagons, I find that Krupp’s steel will cost £55 per ton, but steel wheels suitable for the purpose can be obtained from Sheffield at about £35 per ton. We will require about eight tons. The wharf contract has not progressed much on account of the non-arrival of the ironbark timber. The vessel by which the timber is being forwarded is expected to arrive every day. A large quantity of the Kauri has arrived. The Harbormaster and I have procured additional requisites for mooring small vessels. We have laid a bridle chain and moored another buoy, and small vessels may now take advantage of the accommodation whenever they choose to do so. I have not yet arranged for a permanent diver, being able to obtain the services of the diver engaged on the wharf contract whenever required. 1 an informed by the Traffic Manager of Government railways that the Board should apply for the railway sidings that may be required for making the wharf without delay.—l have, &c., John Goodall, C.E,

The Engineer, in reply to a question, stated that a turntable would be wanted for the prosecution of the Breakwater in about six months. He believed a turntable capable of carrying the steam crane, and bearing a strain of 150 tons would cost at least £7OO or £BOO. He recommended a Sellar’s patent as being the most suitable, but on account of the double line of rails on which the crane travelled it would have to be specially designed. Another crane capable of travelling round the curve and doing the work required would cost £SOOO or £6OOO if imported. He had made enquiries, and he had been told that a turntable could bo made in the colony by Kincaid and McQueen of Dunedin. The only difficulty with the firm was in reference to certain parts, which they believed, however, they could get manufactured in the Government workshops. Mr Evans thought after their past experiences re the steam crane it would be a mistake to get a turntable made in the colony. It was suggested that one might be manufactured in Melbourne, but the proposal to obtain one from Victoria was not entertained. It was decided to allow the consideration of the matter to stand over for a month in order that fuller information might be obtained. day labor. The Board resolved itself into committee to consider the suggestion re employing day labor ou the next section of the Breakwater, instead of calling for tenders to have the same done by contract. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Studholme, seconded by Air Beswick—“That the Board construct about 55ft. of the Breakwater bj*- day labor instead of by contract, extension ok breakwater. Resolved—That the recommendation of the engineer as to the extension of the Breakwater be adopted. government landing service. The manager of the Government landing service reported that there was the sum of £784 to the Board’s credit. THE TEN PER CENT. REDUCTION. Captain Sutter moved after a few remarks the raoiion standing in his name, viz.—“ That after the present financial year the salaries of the Board’s employees be reduced by 10 per cent.” Mr Turnbull seconded the motion. Mr Moody, in moving an amendment, said that the Mayor should set the example he advocated by commencing to retrench at his own door.

Tlie Mayor thought there was a very considerable difference between a hard working officer like Mr Lough, the town clerk, at a salary of £350 a year, and the engineer to the Board, who was receiving £7OO. He thought there was room for reduction in the salary of the latter. The original resolution was then put and carried. THE FORESHORE, Some discussion arising as to the Board’s right in connection with the foreshore, it was moved by Mr Evans, seconded by Mr Sutter, and carried—- “ That all plans and information procurable be brought before this Board at its next meeting by the secretary and engineer re the present position in which the Board stands as to right of foreshore.” ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £-1107 19s lOd were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned.