THE TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1133, 11 August 1883, Page 3

THE TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

Ths usual monthly meeting of the Timaru Harbor Board was held last Thursday. The report of Messrs O'Connor and Austin, the Commission of Engineers appointed by Government to report on the deviation proposed to be made in plans of the breakwater, was read. It will be remembered that the original plan proposed turning an arm at a right angle with the present mole, but that about four months ago the Board decided to deviate from this plan, and instead of the rectangular cant to carry the mole out at an angle of about 30 degraes or bo. The object of this is to provide shelter for vessels, while extending the mole at the same time. There is a clause in the Harbor Board Act which restricts the power of the Board. They cannot carry ont any plan without it has first obtained the approval of a Commission of Engineers appointed by the Government, and hence the necessity for the report of Messrs O'Connor and Austi.i. The Commissioners reported favorably of the new plan, but stated that the shingle would travel very rapidly along it, and suggested that the present mole might be carried forward in its present direction for a distance of 500 feet or so, constructed of concrete blocks as hitherto, while under the lee of this mole, and protected by it from all the heaviest seas, a mole of rough rubble could be carried out in something about the direction now proposed by the Board to a sufficient distance to protect the shipping from the jobble of the sea inside.

To this the Timaru Haibor Board's engineer replied that it would be quite impossible to carry out the mole and the kaat of rubble simultaneously from land,

as the roadway over the present mole is now barely sufficient to enable one work to be carried out efficiently, so that to carry out both works at the same time, the'rubble kant would have to be constructed by means of boats, which would enfc«il such a cost as would amount to more than the cost of a concrete wall, as the appliances would have to be got . specially for a limited work. Then the ' shelter from the advancing mole would be so little that the section of the rubble mound would necessarily be xecy wide, which would not only add to its cost, but would be a great inconvenience to shipping, and if the present Breakwater were continued in a straight line 500 feet further before the rubble mole was begun, the port would bo delayed two years in getting shelter, and the loan now negotiating would have been well nigh spent, and means would not be available to procure shelter without further borrowing ; whilst, as at present proposed, every foot added makes valuable shelter, and when the works are carried out as far as the present loan will permit, the harbor will be greatly sheltered and may be left until means can be raised for porsecuting the scheme as denigned. The reason which the Commissioners have for the extension in a straight line is to increase the strength and volume of the backwash, which is as present so strong as to endanger the root of the mole, to protect which great expense would have to be incurred if the strength of the backwash were increased. Besides, if a shinglebank to the south did augment so as to appear dangerous, the straight mole could then be extended. Such a circumstance cannot possibly occur for many years, by which time the port will be well established and funds could readily be obtained for such a purpose. The very shingle-bank which induced the extension ot the work would become a valuable endowment to the Board, and its value would probably more than cover the COdt. I

After the reading of these reports Mr Gibson moved— 1 That after reading the report of the Commissioners re the extension of the Breakwater, and considering the reply by the Board's Engineer, the Board endorse his reply, and instruct the Chairman to forward a copy to the Minister of Marine.'

The motion was seconded by Mr Acton and agreed to. It was also resolved—'That the Committee be empowered to instruct the Engineer to call for tenders for the Breakwater contract, should they receive the sanction of the Governor before the next meeting of the Board.' Also 'That the Secretary take the necessary steps to have the port of Timaru declared a port of registration, so as to enable owners of vessels residing here to have their vessels registered in this port.' Out of eight candidates Captain Webster was appointed Harbor Master. It was resolved to inflict a penalty of £250 on McKenzie and Co. for not baying their work done according to contract time.

The Chairman submitted a report from which we take the following paragraph, The profit will leave the Board a net revenue for the year 1883 of L 2700, from which we must take the average of interest due for money used in construction of Breakwater and works (L 17,000). L7OO, so that we shall pnter the year 1884 with a credit balance of L2OOO. It is not unreasonable to expect that next year's net revenue will at least be L3OOO, from which falls to be deducted the average of interest on money used from loan at 5 per cent for expenditure on works up to 31st December, 1884 (say L 42.000), LISOO, leaving to the Board's credit on June Ist 1885, L 3500. Add income of 1885 on same basis, L3ooo—less interest on costs of works during the year (say L 67.000. balance of loan expended) L2BOO—L2OO, leaving the Board to face the year 1886 with a balance at their credit of L 3700. From the foregoing figures, it will be seen that the operations of the existing Board need give no cause for anxiety, and they ought to e able to hand over to their successors a respectable sum, which may bo laid aside for sinking fund should they think it necessary to do so at that stage. A vote of thanks to the Chairman for his report was carried.