TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2511, 7 April 1881, Page 2

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

An ordinary meeting of the Board was held to-day. Present—Messrs F. Archer (Chairman), K. F. Gray, R. Turnbull, W. Moody, T. W. Hall, T. Teschemaker, A. Mee, R. A. Barker W. Evans, and W. Postlethwaitc. CORRESPONDENCE. From C. W. Turner, Christchurch, advising the Board of the arrival per Orari of 800 casks cement of 1200 lbs test and 200 casks of 10001 bs test. From Messrs Perry and Perry re Mr Anderson’s claim for balance alleged to be due on the steam crane stating that the plaintiff had discontinued his action and they would now proceed to tax the costs. WHAREAGE RATES. The Committee appointed to consider the question of wharfage rates submitted an exhaustive report on the subject. Mr Turnbull said he understood that the Committee was appointed to consider the question of handing over the wharf to the railway department. The Chairman read a portion of the communication received from the railway department asking that information re wharfage dues should be furnished.

Mr Turnbull—Then I am to understand (hat this report does not commit the Board in any way ; that it does not hand the working of the wharves over to the railway department ?

Several members—No. Mr Moody submitted that the Committee had done more than they were asked to do. They were simply requested, as he understood, to consider the proposed railway charges. Instead of that they had brought up a report on wharfage dues. The resolution appointing the Committee was referred to, and as it appeared that the Committee had mistaken their functions a conversational discussion ensued.

In reply to Mr Moody, the Secretary stated that the total charges on goods landed would be 3s per ton. After hearing Mr Evans, Captain Sutter, and other members of the Committee,

Mr Postlethwaite suggested as they seemed to be at sixes and sevens and the whole thing was in a muddle, that it would be as well for the Committee to take back their report for re-consider-ation.

Mr Hall called attention to the fact that charges were provided for transhipment from vessels lying within the Breakwater and asked if this would apply to vessels worked by the Landing Service.

Mr Sutter replied that the charges were considered so reasonable that they should be imposed on all cargo transhipped into lighters or surfboats, and that the dues were a legitimate consideration for the protection and benefit that ships derived from the Harbor. Mr Gray was under the impression that a charge was only to be made in cases where vessels went alongside the wharf and not to apply to surfboats.

The Chairman suggested as the Committeee were divided in opinion the report be referred back. Messrs Sutter and Gray, in that case said they should decline to act on the Committee.

Mr Turnbull considered the difficulty that had arisen proved the impractibility of handing over the working of the wharves to the railway department. There was no doubt that the landing services would compete with the railway department, and the latter would insist on the Board handicapping the surf boats with haulage and wharfage dues. This would be an injustice, not only to the services, but to the district generally, because he held that farmers and producers should have every facility for bringing their grain at the cheapest possible rate alongside the ship’s side. He proposed that the report be referred back for reconsideration, as the Committee had not dealt with the most important question of all, namely, whether the railway department were to have possession of the wharf. He considered it was desirable that some provision should be made for the working of surf-boats, as in spite of all the railway department and Harbor Board could do these boats would be needed for the accommodation of the large grain ships for at least the next three years. The Chairman—lt is important that the wharfage question should be settled at once, as an engineer is coming to lay the rails for the railway department.

Mr Turnbull—lt is rather extraordinary that an engineer should come without the authority of the Board. The Chairman—He is coming to make a survey. Mr Moody moved and Mr Teschmaker seconded—“ That the secretary be instructed to draw up a draft of bye-laws for the charges for management of goods discharged and landed at the wharf, and that the Board at next meeting go into Committee to carry out the said arrangements, and that the question of shipping by surfboats other than the Harbor Board’s be considered.” Mr Barker moved an amendment—- “ That the report of the Committee on wharfage rates be adopted after being altered in the following manner :—That the words “inside the Breakwater” be struck out, and “ this charge to be irrespective of the Landing Service rates ” added. Mr Hall seconded the amendment.

On the question being put, Messrs Barker, Hall, Gray and Evans voted for the amendment, and the resolution was carried.

Mr Turnbull moved—“ That it is inexpedient for the Government to be allowed the use of the wharf in the meantime."

The Chairman it is the first I heard of it.

Mr Moody—They may go on if they like and lay their rails. They may be useful for the Board.

Mr Turnbull in support of his resolu tion contended that in a few months the Board might be able to make very satis-

factory arrangements with, the Lauding Services, and it would be inadvisable in the extreme to hand over the traffic to the railway department. Mr Goodall assured the Board that the railway department were merely taking preliminary steps making a survey and had no intention of trespassing on the Board’s property without permission. Mr Turnbull—Solong as the Board is not committed to the Government it don’t matter.

The discussion then dropped. THE PRIESTMAN DREDGER

Messrs Jones and Peters applied for the use of the dredger, in connection with their wharf contract.

The engineer of the Board supported the application, stating that the contract had been taken at an exceedingly low figure. Mr Gray also urged that the employment of the dredger would do it a good deal of benefit. It was resolved to grant the use of the dredger at £1 per day. THE IRONBARK DIFFICULTY. A letter was read from Mr Fox, contractor for ironbark piles, acknowledging receipt of a letter from Mr Goodall, and adding, “ The ironbark piles belong to me, and I do not recognise you or your Board, or any of your servants.” Mr Goodall stated that Mr Fox had demanded his timber. Mr Tennant, on behalf of the Lauding Service, served him with a notice not to remove it till the landing charges were paid, and he (Mr Goodall) warned him not to touch the property of the Board. The Secretary having stated that £95 was due for landing charges, the Board went into committee to consider the agreement with Mr Fox. Ultimately the following resolution was proposed by Mr Moody, seconded by Mr Sutter, and passed—“ That in reply to Mr Fox’s letter (just handed in, and refusing to recognise the Board’s authority) of April 7, the Board intimates that it does not recognise the position which he assumes,and will retain possession of the piles which have been passed by the engineer, and that the Board expects completion of the contract or enforcement of the penalty.” LANDING SERVICE. The manager of the Landing Service reported : “ I have the honor to report that 30 vessels visited the roadstead during the month, this service having worked at 23 of that number. “ I have landed and shipped in all 4GBO tons, the gross earnings being £771 13s, and the net £358 10s sd. ‘‘The surfboat ordered from John Anderson has arrived; it lias proved quite satisfactory, and will be a great assistance to me during the piesent grain season. “ I would beg to suggest that a steam crane, capable of lifting up three tons, and which would be also suitable for working on the wharf when it was no longer required at the Landing Service, be at once obtained. It would be very useful to me and would be a great saving of labor.” engineer’s report. “ 1 have the honor to report that 33ft in length of concrete blocks in the construction of the mole have been laid during last month. These works have been delayed a few days from want of cement. Supplies are now to hand from Messrs Cargill, Gibbs and Co., and the Mercia and another vessel are now in harbor with about 3000 casks of Mr Turner’s cement, so we arc not likely to be short again for some time. “ Mr Fox, the contractor for the supply of ironbark timber, has attemptod to take away the timber delivered by him to the Board. Upon advice received from the Board’s solicitor we have prevented him from doing so.

“ The earthworks connected with the railway approach to the wharf will be completed in a day or two ; this work has been retarded by wet weather. If the rails are to be laid by the Board sleepers, ballast, and rails will have to be obtained at once.

“ The .Priestman’s dredge has been erected, and from the preliminary trial I find that it works satisfactorily. After being painted it will be out of the contractors’ hands for erecting it.

“ I communicated with Dr Munro, informing him of the satisfactory test of his artificial stone, and desired him to forward a larger supply of the materials for further tests, but have not heard from him since. “ Messrs Jones and Peters were the successful tenderers for wharf contract No. 2, at £2304 17s s|d, they have ordered the timber that will be required and are making preparations for an early start in this work. “We have received the surf-boat contracted for by Mr John Anderson. I find that it is satisfactory in every way. The contract time was exceeded by four days. Mr Anderson explains this by saying that the delay was due to the railway authorities. “I have the honor, &c., “John Goodall.” THE BOARD’S -SEAL. It was proposed by Mr Barker, seconded by Mr Gray, and carried—- “ That the Secretary be instructed to be careful to see that the Board’s seal is impressed on all contracts entered into by the Board.” A PROPOSAL. Mr Evans proposed a resolution to the effect that the salary of the manager of the Landing Service be raised 10s per week. Mr Mee supported Mr Evans. Mr Turnbull was opposed ,to the manager’s salary being raised, and Capt. Sutter thought that the consideration of the matter should be deferred until nest meeting, half the members having left the room. Mr Evans acquiescing, the matter was allowed to stand over. freight. It was proposed by Mr Evans, seconded by Mr Gray, and carried—- “ That the Secretary be instructed to write to the National Mortgage Company as to the rate of freight charged from London to Port Chalmers, and asking a concession for same, as this Board are of opinion that 80s freight is much too high from London to Port Chalmers. ACCOUNTS. Accounts were passed for payment: —General, £4872 8s 5d ; and Landing Service, £413 3s 4d. The Board then adjourned.