TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2497, 22 March 1881, Page 2

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

A special meeting of the Timaru Harbor Board was held to-day. Present —Messrs F. Archer (Chairman), Barker, Teschemaker, Moody, Turnbull, Sutter, Evans, and Hall. THE NEW RAILWAY STATION.

The Chairman stated that they had been convened chiefly to consider what reply should be forwarded to the Government with reference to the proposal made by Mr Oliver, that a portion of the reclaimed land near the Breakwater should be allowed as part of the site of a new railway station. The engineer in reply to a question stated that there was about a chain of land between the present high water mark and high water mark in 1876.

Mr Teschemaker moved to the effect that Government be allowed the land required for railway purposes on payment of its value, and that the Harbor Board compensate the Government for expense incurred in protective works north of Caroline Bay. He said the equitable right of the Board to the land in question was admitted by the Government. It would only be fair however, seeing that the damage done to the foreshore north of Caroline Bay was a source of trouble and expense to the Government that the Board, without acknowlediug its responsibility, should, in consideration of the land reclaimed, pay half the expense incurred in protective works to the north of the Breakwater.

Mr Evans disagreed with the proposition to pay for the protective works alluded to, inasmuch as it had not been proved that the Breakwater had done the damage. Mr Hall also contended that the Board could not legally acknowledge any responsibility in connection with the railway protective works. He moved an amendment —“The Harbor Board to cede all land south of the Breakwater shown on the plan as required by the Government, and the Government to secure to the Harbor Board all future land reclaimed by the action of the Breakwater, the whole or greater part of the Landing Service, and the land to the north of the Breakwater to Whales’ Creek, between the railway and the sea.’’ Mr Sutter seconded the amendment. Mr Teschmaker, at the request of some of the members, struck out the latter part of his resolution offering compensation for damage beyond Caroline Bay.

Mr Turnbull referred to the interview with Mr Oliver. The suggestion about an injunction to stop the construction of the Breakwater was a thing that they should not entertain. As regards the claim of the Government in reference to railway protective works, although the Board, he believed, could have done the work for half the money that it had cost the Government, he considered the claim was a good one, and the Board would have to meet it. But he contended that the Government had not the slightest claim to the land below the original high water mark, and they would be betraying their trust if . they' tamely surrendered the land now demanded for railway purposes. The intention of the Government of the day, and of the Attorney-General (Mr Stout) when the Harbor Board Act was passed, was that the land reclaimed from the sea should be the property of the Board. The appropriation act would expire in a few days and the dissolution of Parliament would take place in Feb. next, when they would have an entire change of scene. The Government had no more intention of carrying : out the plans submitted, than they had of flying. The present Government could not do it.

Mr Moody—Could not the vote be placed on the estimates. Mr Turnbull said it would be impossible for any private member to aek £20,000 for railway purposes at Timaru without raising up a storm of sirailai applications from olhei representatives. There was no money available in the hands of the Minister, and he was convinced it would be ten years before they would see a station such as they had on paper erected at rimaru. Possibly they might patch the present buildings and widen the platform, but neither the present nor the next succeeding Government would erect such a station as had been shown. Before the Board entertained the Governent’s proposal the Government should be asked to show that they are prepared to go on with the station. He was satisfied that the station held out was simply a bait and a delusion, and that the object was to cut off the landing service. If the Government was sincere the offer now made would not be made within 9 days of the Appropriation Act. He suggested that the opinion of the Attorney General, who drew up the act, should be taken with regard to the Board’s right to the reclaimed land. TheCbairman —Butwould the Govern-

ment abide by a decision not from the Solicitor-General.

Mr Turnbull—The question is not a Government question. It would have the impartial consideration of every member in the House. The clause applies to the Thames, Dunedin, Camara and other ports as much as to Timaru. Mr Sutter did not believe with Mr Turnbull that Mr Oliver intended to deliberately hoax the Board. He was certain such was not his intention, and whatever Mr Turnbull’s knowledge of the finances might be, he was equally satisfied that the Government intended to carry out the work in accordance with the plans that Mr Oliver submitted. If the Board threw any undue obstacles in the way of the Government it would enable them, with just cause, to abandon their present proposal of erecting suitable railway accommodation. Mr Teschmaker withdrew his first resolution and proposed the following, which was seconded by Mr Moody and Carried—“ That the following resolutions be sent for the General Government’s approval:— Harbor to give up all claims to the foreshore as required by the Government for railway purposes as per plan submitted to the Board, excepting such as is occupied by landing service sheds, and actually for working the said service. Government to make a fair allowance for all foreshore taken from Timaru Harbor Board, value to be determined by arbitration. The Government to cede the land between the railway and the sea to the north of the Landing Service to Whale's Creek, about 3 acres in extent, and the balance of present reclamations and all future reclamations between Waimatatai Creek and Patiti Point to be vested in the Harbor Board." THE WHARF TRAFFIC. - The Chairman read a portion of a communicalion from the Public Works Department, which referred to the working of the wharves by the railway department. Considerable discussion ensued, Mr Moody submitting that if goods could be carted to stores in town for Is per ton, tradesmen should not be compelled, to pay Is 6d to the railway department. Mr Turnbull considered they should be cautious about allowing the railway department to tie their hands', and pointed out that the wharves could easily be worked being contiguous to the town, and in that respect unlike the wharves at Oaraaru and Lyttelton. Mr Evans said that the engineer had informed him the wharves could be easily made available for both rail and cartage, and if that was the case the Board should work them themselves. Mr Sutter said the present wharf was too narrow, and the planks were laid so that it was unsuitable for dray traffic. He agreed that it would be a hardship to hand over the traffic to the railway department when the wharf was so close to town, and he thoughtjthe Board shopld take steps so that when the new contract for wharf extension was completed vessels would be able to come alongside and discharge into drays. After further discussion it was resolved—“ That a committee consisting of Messrs Hall, Evans, Gray, Sutter, and Teschemaker be appointed to consider the question of railway charges in connection with the Harbor Board." THE CEMENT CONTRACT. Mr Turner, contractor for supply of cement waited on the Board in reference to his contract for cement, the Board’s engineer having tested the consignment per Mercia, and found it to to average 9191bs straining power instead of 12001 bs as provided in the specifications. Mr Turner said there was a considerable discrepancy between the tests at Timaru and those made at Lyttelton, and he was doubtful about the machine employed here. He asked the Board to allow tests to be made at Timaru, Oamaru, and Lyttelton, and if necessary to return a portion of the shipment for the purpose of being tested by experts in England. On Mr Turner withdrawing, it was moved by Mr Hall and seconded by Mr Sutter—“That the Mercia’s cargo be taken, subject to averaging the present tests, and that Mr Turner’s offer of supplying the remainder of the contract at the 10001 bs test be accepted.”

Mr Evans moved and Mr Studholme seconded an amendment —“That the cement per Mercia be taken over by the Board as part of the contract, (without prejudice) provided that the Board’s engineer is satisfled the test is satisfactory.” The amendment was carried and the meeting then adjourned.