TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1300, 7 February 1885, Page 3

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

The adjourned annual meeting of the Timaru Harbor Board was held on Thursday. Present—Messrs W. Moody (Chairman), E. Elworthy, A. Hayes, J. S. Gibson, E. Acton, J. H. Sutter, M. Jonas, and J. Kelland.

The annual report was a*very lengthy one. It first of all remarked that the reduced price of grain had curtailed the area planted in wheat, and made a difference in the trade of 112,000 sacks, or 12000 tons less, in the year 1 883. Fortunately an increase in other articles of production had counterbalanced this shortcoming, so that the total trade compared favorably with 1883, being only 1200 tons short of the figures reached in that year. The number of vessels despatched to the United Kingdom was only 7, as against 19 in the preceding year. The coasting trade was being taken up by steamers. The local production of flour and other products had been the inducement for steamers to avail themselves of the improved shipping facilities which have been the result of last year's operations at the breakwater and wharf. The port still remains handicapped with the tax paid for extra insurance; the premiums being ba&ed on a risk no longer existing, and which ought now to be the same as for other safe harbors in the colony. The revenue of the Board suffers, as in the past, from the competition of the railways —the special rates now in force being designed to draw the bulk of the merchandise, imports and grain exports from and to the Port of Lyttelton. During 1884 the Board has reduced the ordinary expenditure considerably without affecting the efficiency of the general shipping arrangements. The Landing Service was re-organised on 9th October and placed under the Harbor Master, but a little more time must elapse before the savings made will show an increase of the saving realised. The available berthage at the wharf on the completion of the present contract, which should be open for traffic by the end of March, will be 880 feet. The curve of the breakwater extension now affords additional shelter to vessels inside, and has materially reduced the range at the wharf, thereby saving a great deal of the wear on the mooring hawsers. The steam-tug Titan is now in first-class working order, and has done all the work required of her very satisfactorily. Although there has been an increase in the total number of vessels arriving during 1884 as compared with 1883, there have only arrived 91 sailing vessels, as against 110 in 1883 ; the balance being made up of steamers. The Titan towed 58 out of the 91 vessels. Her earnings for 1884 are 25 per cent, less than for 1883, No accident of any consequence occurred in the port during the year. Of the 285 vessels which cleared, 7 sailed for the United Kingdon, 24 for intercolonial ports, and 254 coastwise, the aggregate registered tonnage being 63,435. The new sand grab ordered for the dredge answered first rate. The report then dealt with the progress of the breakwater arid wharves, and concluded by stating that it the present works were concluded < within contract time the £IOO,OOO loan would be expended with 1885. All the funds available had been placed at interest at 6 per cent., 1 per cent, over the rate paid for the loan. Future operations would be a subject for the consideration of the new Board at a very early stage of its history.-—The report was adopted. The ordinary meeting of the Board was then held,

Mr W, H, Hargreaves wrote, asking to be be allowed to substitute sawn for hewn timber in the fulfilment of his contract, but the request was refused. The Engineer reported that a few feet had been added to the foundation blocks. The temporary roadway had been removed, the blocks composing it had been thrown pell mell on the south side, and 36 feet of monolith had been added to the finished work, which makes 291 feet of the curve. Wharf contract No. 6 is now drawing to a close, only two fender piles remaining to be driven, and the rest of the work is in a forward state. Dredging is now being oarrried on at night. This alteration was found necessary, as continous work could not be maintained by day without interfering with the traffic. The Governor had approved of the plans for the northern wharf, and the contractor would shortly commence operations. The Harbor Master reported the arrival of 26 and the departure of 28 vessels during the month. The net earnings of the landing Bervice were £137- There were three wooden boats not required, and he recommended that they be disposed of. r-The disposal of the boats was left to the Chairman, Captain Sutter, and the Harbor Master to deal with. It was decided to hold the next meetin? on the 12th March, Hayes moved— ■'That a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to the Chair? man, Mr W. Moody, for the able and efficient manner in which he has performed the duties devolving upon him in virtue of the position as Chairman of the Board, and as a slight recognition of his serviceb, the wharf about being constructed north of the breakwater be hereafter called and known as the ' Moody Wharf.'"—This was carried unanimously, and Mr Moody having acknowledged the compliment, the meeting adjourned.