TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1326, 11 April 1885, Page 3

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Timaru Harbor Board took place on Thursday last, there being present Measr3 Wm. Moody (Chairman), E. Acton, A. Hayes, Jno. Talbot, M. Jonas, E. El worthy, A. Wilson, J. Kelland, and Captain Sutter.

The minutes having been read and confirmed, the Chairman stated the revenue for the month had been £6B 13s 4d from Landing Service, £294 17s Id from wharfage dues, and £205 5s 10d fro n port charges, total £568 15s 3d. Amongst the correspondence read was a letter from Messrs McEwan and Co,, of London quoting prices for dredger chain and stating the Krupp steel crane wheels had been shipped per s.s. Coptic—The Chairman said the total cost was far below the estimate they had formed.

From Mr Maxwell, regarding the charge now levied by the Railway Department for loading coal at the wharf, and stating thatj it had been decided that from and after the 13th April when cranage is charged for or provided, 6d per ton only will be charged for each loading or unloading that may be done by the Department.—lt was decided to enquire if "timber" had not been inadvertently omitted from the letter. From the Secretary of the Timaru Sea Bathing Company, asking for a lease of land below high-water mark, as shown on a plan attached, for the purpose of erecting a bathing place. It was unanimously decided to grant the request, upset rental to be £1 per annum ; and if no obstacle in the Harbors Act prevents dealing, that tenders be advertised for in

terms of clause 138, to be in at the June sitting of the Bonn!. i£ln reply to a letter from the Oamaru Harbor Board it was resolved—" That the Hirbor Board have the use of the gear for putting down one mooring for £3O, and for each additional mooring £25, carriage to be paid by them both ways, and the material to be returned in the same good order as it leaves Timaru." Mr James Philp, contractor for wharf contract No 6, wrote referring to his letter of April 9th, 1884, and laying further particulars respecting his claim for compensation before the Board.—The matter was referred to the Standing Committee. A letter was read from the Harbor Master, requesting an increase of salary. —The letter was held over for consideration till next meeting. In reply to a question, the Engineer stated that the rails had been laid on the new wharf. The Harbor Master reported the arrival of 26 vessels of the aggregate registered tonnage of 8529 tons, and the departure of 28 vessels, of the aggregate register tonnage of 7994 tons, during the month of March, 1885. The whole of the above vessels had been worked at the wharf. The Deva, from London, direct, had to be lightened in the roadstead and at the moorings previous to being worked at the wharf. The Landing Service had been employed during part of the month, the earnings being gross £142 13s lOd ; nett £GB 13s 4d. The storage at the Landing Service was being used for the Harbor Board's cement. Soundings had been taken during the month, the result being similar to last month, with the exception of the berth dredged at the new wharf.

The Enginer reported that the foundation blocks for the whole extent of the curve had been laid, and the monolith had been extended 37 feet, making 304 feet of finished work. The wharf just completed was being utilised. The greater part of the cement walling for the approach of the Moody Wharf had been built, and the filling in of the enclossd spaco had been commenced. This part of the work will be completed by the time; that the iron-bark timber arrives, the first consignment of which is expected during next month. Dredging with the Priestmau dredge had been started alongside the wharf extension since the rails were laid* The last of Mr Turner's contract for cement was daily expected, and the Dunedin Hardware Co.'s first consignment had arrived.

The Engineer enclosed letters from Mr Hargreaves, which stated the barque Kassa was to leave Clarence River, N.S.W., with piles and beams about the 13th April. Mr John Goodall (Engineer), and Captain Webster (Harbor Master), requested further time to prepare their report on dredging, aud the application was granted. Mr John Goodall wrote, offering to take the position of consulting Engiueer. to the Harbor Board at a salary of £3OO per annum, he to pay a visit to the district quarterly and prepare a quarterly report, aud pay his own expenses. If he were required to visit the works oftener, or in a case of emergency, the Board to pay his expenses on those occaastons. He expressed great confidence in the Clerk of tho Works, Mr John Hamilton, who, he said was quite competent to superintend the works. The Board went into Committee to consider these letters, and on resuming the following resolution was confirmed ; Moved by Mr ElwoHliy and seconded by Mr Talbot; "That Mr Goodall be offered the appointment of Consulting Engineer at the rate of £250 per annum, to pay quarterlyjvisits—or oftener in case of emergency—to the works in progress and report thereon ; all travelling expenses to be included, this arrangement to be terminated at any time by three months' notice on either side;" and " That Mr Hamilton's salary be increased to £5 per week. " Mr Jonas then moved the notice standing in his name as follows : —"That the Board now consider the question of proceeding with further works for which another loan is required. " It was resolved on the motion of Mr Talbot, seconded by Mr Hayes—" That the Member for Timaru be requested to take the necessary steps to get an Empowering Bill passed at the next next session of the General Assembly, authorising the Board to borrow a further sum not exceeding £IOO,OOO, for the further prosecution of the harbor works." Two amendments—one limiting borrowing proposals to £50,030, and the other affirming that it was inadvisable to apply to Parliament for further borrowing powers at present—were lost. Accounts amounting to £lßl6 3s lid were passed for payment, and the meeting adjourned.