TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2458, 3 February 1881, Page 2

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the Board was held to-day. Present — Messrs F. Archer (chairman), T. W. Hall, W. Evans, R. Turnbull, K. F. Gray, W. C. Beswick, W. Moody, W. Sutter, and R. A. Barker. Apologies for non-attendance were received from Messrs Acton and Postleth waite. ANNUAL nEPOIIT,

The Chairman read the annual report which was simply a history of last year’s proceedings, as embodied from time tp time in the reports of the Board’s engineer.

In reply to Mr Hall, the Secretary stated that the £SO credited to the Landing Service for whaleboat and crew for the harbor master for one year was not paid to the men employed, but merely credited to the Landing Service account.

Mr Hall considered the money was credited to the wrong account. He also contended that the Landing Service should be debited with £402, the cost of the new surf boat. As the Landing Service account was presented it was made to appear that the Service was earning a profit which it really could not claim. The harbor account was made to appear £6OO to the bad, while the deficiency really belonged to the Landing Service. The lighthouse and section was put down as an asset, whereas, he maintained, an asset should only he something upon which they could realise, and not a white elephant. He moved*—“ That the boat and moorings be transferred to the debit of the Harbor Master’s account.” Mr Turnbull moved an amendment — “ That the report and balance sheet be adopted.” Mr Sutter seconded the amendment. Mr Hall said he omitted to mention that a further sum of £2OOO for plant ought to be debited to the Landing Service account.

Mr Moody—That’s an old debt. Mr Barker—But it should be shown. All the Service funds are ours, and also the receipts. Mr Hall said he had merely thrown out a suggestion, and as he did not press his resolution the amendment was carried mm con.

The Chairman said he was sorry any discussion had arisen over the accounts. After passing the annual accounts the Government Auditor had called on him, and stated that he had never had a more clear .and explicit statement placed before him ; that the books were accurately kept, and every information was forthcoming ; and that the mysteries of the Landing Service account, hitherto so difficult to unravel, had entirely disappeared. In short he stated that three days work had been pleasantly compressed into one. This compliment to Mr Tennant came with special force from the Government Auditor, seeing that that gentleman’s son had run a close race with Mr Tennant for the office of secretary. A SINKING FUND. Mr Moody submitted the following notice of motion ;—“ That the surplus profit from the Landing Sendee, after deducting a fair percentage for wear and tear, be funded every three months at twelve months’ interest on deposit, and the fund kept for the purpose of meeting interest on any future loan that may be raised for harbor works purposes.” THE NEW RUEAK WATER CONTRACT. The minutes of the last ordinarymeeting having been read, Mr Sutter called attention to the fact that the specifications for the last section of the breakwater provided for the supply of a certain casing for the monolith. He wished to know whether the contractors would be required to provide a new casing as specified or if they were to be allowed to use the old one.

The Chairman suggested that the question should be deferred till the engineer was present.

Mr Sutter replied that he introduced the matter now before the acceptance of the contract was confirmed. About £3OO was involved and if the present contractors did not comply with the specifications the money should be refunded to the Board.

Mr Evans—Certainty. In fairness to other contractors the specifications must be enforced. ; ' • Mr Sutter—The specifications were peculiarly framed for they provided for a casing of’exceedingly strong construction with iron fittings. One of the tenderers called my attention to the matter pointing out that the difference between his tender and that of Jones and Peters arose through the value of this casing being included in his estimates.

It was decided to defer the question till the engineer should be present, and the minutes, with the exception of the portion relative to the contract were passed. CORRESPONDENCE.

A letter was read from Mr James Mills, managing director of the Union S.S. Company congratulating the Board on the fact that the s.s. Taiaroa had been able to get alongside the Breakwater, and promising that no effort would be wanting on the part of the Company to meet the increasing requirements of the trade of the port. The Chairman said the Secretary had called his attention to the heavy charges for freight of dredging plant made by the U.S.S. Company.. Correspondence on the subject was read showing that in consequence of the plant having been landed by the crane on the Breakwater instead of by surf boats the freight for transhipment ex Auckland and carriage per Taiaroa from Dunedin to Timaru was reduced from £llß 2s lid to £B9 11s,

Mess Cargills Gibbs and Co. wrote intimating that they had advised the manufacturers of cement that their contract would have to be completed, and stating that they were ready to repay the cement borrowed for the Oamaru Harbor when the Board required it. ... .A letter was read from Dr Stuart Munro, Wellington, intimating that he hud forwarded 2 lbs of his patent composition for stone making, and giving directions for testing it. Referred to the engineer. Mr Alfred Gordon, of the South British Marine Insurance Company, wrote stating that in reply to a- communication, the harbor master had advised him that vessels drawing 14ft lOin could be moored alongside the Breakwater.' He had since observed from a report of the Board’s proceedings in the “ Lyttelton Times ” that the engineer had stated that vessels drawing lift only could come alongside, and he desired to obtain accurate information on the point. Mr Moody—l thing the engineer made a great mistake when he made the statement that he did at last meeting. Mr Evans—l thought so too. The Taiaroa was able to discharge alongside. The Chairman read a letter forwarded in reply to Mr Gordon, explaining that the harbor master should have stated that a vessel drawing 14ft lOin had been discharged inside the Breakwater, and not alongside of it. Capt. Sutter said the South British Company were quite conversant with the facts. APPLICATIONS. Applications for the post of pilot and engineer for working the new crane were received but were not dealt with. A WHITE ELEPHANT. The Committee appointed to enquire re section 110, LeCren’s Terrace, leased to the Board, submitted a report in which they advised the Board if possible to abandon the lease, or failing that, to offer £250 for the purchase of the land, viz., 15 perches. It was explained that the lease had 9 years to run, the annual rent being £2O ; that the land was not needed by the Board; that the trustees preferred the rent to selling out ; and that there were doubts as to whether the Board could voluntarily abandon the lease. The report was adopted.. HARBOR MASTER’S REPORT.

The above report was read, and stated that during the past twelve months two hawsers had been received from Calcutta, of good and serviceable quality. The report went on to say that as vessels were now constantly taking advantage of the protection afforded by the Breakwater, it would be necessary to obtain two more coils of coir rope, two anchors, one chain, and two mooring buoys, these being requisite for the efficient working of the harbor.

It'was resolved that the rope mentioned in the report be obtained with as little delay as possible, and through the same agents as formerly.. CONSTRUCTION OF BREAKWATER. The Chairman read some correspondence that had passed re proposed alterations in the construction of the Breakwater, from which it appeared that the Government had been misled by rumors originated through the memorial recently submitted, asking that the structure should be continued seawards. He also intimated that Messrs O’Connor and Austin had been deputed by the Government to confer with the Board on the subject, and read a telegram from the Premier, authorising these gentlemen to lay their report before the Board.

Messrs O’Connor and Austin were then introduced, and their report was read. It was to the effect that they say no objection to the proposed deviation from the original plans of the Breakwater to the extent included under Contract No. 3, and that they recommended the deviation to be assented to.

Mr Moody (addressing the delegates) —ln all probability you will be called upon to report on a further extension of the structure when this contract is out. Could you furnish us with any opinion now ? Messrs O’Connor and Austin replied that the time at their disposal was not sufficient to enable them to form an opinion on anything beyond the matter specified in their instructions. Mr Hall and the Chairman thanked the delegates for the promptitude with which 1 hey had acted and they then withdrew. JETTY EXTENSION. On the motion of Captain Sutter it was resolved that the engineer should be instructed to prepare plans for the extension of the pile jetty, and that the said plans should be submitted at the next meeting of the Board. THE NEW CASING. In reply to Captain Sutter, the engineer stated that the new casing specified in the conditions of the Breakwater contract was now in course of construction. LANDING SERVICE EEPOET.

I have the honor to report that twenty-three vessels have visited the roadstead during the month, of which this service has worked at seventeen.

I have landed and shipped in all 2236 tons, the gross earning being £356 8s Bd, and the net £154 Os sd. The weather has been favorable for boating operations, and I have been kept fairly busy.

S. E. Graham, Manager. engineers report. I have the honor to report that during last month the breakwater contractors have been chiefly engagedin repairing the portion of the mole which had been cut down. This work has been substantially executed and is now complete,and arrangements have been made with Messrs Jones and Peters to make the earth work to connect with the railway approach without delay. Tenders were called for painting the Harbor Master’s office, flag staff, and lifeboat, and that of W. Knight was accepted at £Blss. Upon further consideration I find that the estimate on the proposed north jetty can be reduced by about £7OOO, Annexed herewith is a return shewing quantity of cement delivered to contractors for contracts Nos. 1 and 2 of Timaru Breakwater, and the number of cubic yards of concrete made with such cement. The Board having at its last meeting sanctioned the using of part of the cement shed for storing of general goods, it will be necessary to provide other accommodation for storing cement. As these sheds are very convenient to the Landing Service, and extra accommodation will be required for working it, I would recommend that another shed be built for cement near the Breakwater works.. Priestman’s dredge bus arrived, and I beg to recommend that it be erected by contract. John Goodall. CEMENT. The engineer said in reply to questions that the cement which had been forwarded by Mr Turner, was in process of being tested. It shewed a deficiency in weight, and he had intimated to the contractor that it was not equal to the specifications. In the meantime, however, there was plenty of good cement from the old contract iii stock. . storage accommodation. Resolved, on the motion of Mr Moody —“That the engineer be authorised .to prepare plans and specifications for a new cement store." Moved by Mr Barker and carried—- “ That applications be invited for storage of cement, to be in by the 20th instant, and that Messrs Moody, Hall, and Sutter report on the same.” ACCOUNTS. The following accounts were passed for payment Landing Service, £2b2 Bs,; Harbor Board, £2276 16s Id. The Board then adjourned.