TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1341, 16 May 1885, Page 2

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Timaru Harbor Board was held on Thursday. Present —Messrs Moody (Chairman), Elworthy, Hayes, Wilson, Kelland, Acton, Sutter’ and Jonas. Messrs Talbot and Gray sent apologies for non-attendance. Six months’ leave of absence was granted to Mr J, S. Gibson on account of illhealth. The Timaru Sea Bathing Company were granted a lease of site for 14 years. Correspondence was read and considered From the Railway Department, advising the payment of £429 Is Bd, wharf revenue for last month. From the same,' declining to make any alteration in the i

present railway wharf charges for landing timber at Timaru.—lt was decided to request Messrs Turnbull and Sutter, M.H.R.’s to move in the matter, present rates being too high. From the Dunedin Harbor Board, proposing alterations in the Harbors Act in the direction of making the Government pay dues upon goods.—lt was decided to request the Canterbury M.H.R.’s to cooperate with the Otago M.H.R.’s in obtaining the concession.

The report of Standing Committee recommended the payment to Mr Philp of £B3 16s for seven piles for which he had been wrongfully charged ; that Mr Philp’s claim for compensation be not entertained ; that vessels trading between New Zealand and Australian ports be allowed the option of paying either 3d on registered tonnage or 6d on cargo landed ; that the Board should not entertain a claim by the agents of the Black Diamond liners for £35 damage to a case of mirrors. —Report adopted, The Harbor Master reported the arrival of 27 vessels of the aggregate register tonnage of 6572 tons, and the departure of 25 vessels of the aggregate register tonnage of 6370 tons during the month of April, 1885; the whole of these vessels being worked at the wharf. The p.s. Titan was employed on the 27th instant dredging'with a spoon dredge ; in fair work could lift from 6 to 7 tons per hour into surf boats, from which 200 or 300 tons could be deposited under the Landiig Service above high water mark ; this, he considered, the most economical way of dredging at present. He applied for authority to repair the Landing Service and for a supply of rope.—The request for rope was granted, but that re Landing Service was refused.

The Engineer reported that heavy seas displacing several blocks had somewhat retarded the work, and little progress had been made in the breakwater contract. The new wheels for the crane had arrived in the colony. The approach to the Moody wharf was completed, and a start would be made with the wharf on arrival of the piles. The Wanaka had accidentally damaged the wharf rather seriously, and this would be repaired as soon as possible. —The Chairman stated the repairs would cost £7O or £BO.

Mr John Good a! I wrote thanking the Board for appointing him Consulting Engineer and requesting that; he should be granted travelling expenses on emergency visits.—Granted.

The Clerk •of Works wrote thanking the Board for raising his wages £1 per week, and requesting that Le might be allowed an additional £1 per week, as his duties were very responsible.—Refused, The Harbor Master applied for an increase of salary, and it was agreed to allow him £3OO per year if he would undertake the lighthouse keeper’s duties, the present keeper to be dismissed. The Chairman stated the Oamaru Harbor Board had kindly .offered to lend their dredger to the Tiraam Board, It would be a few months.yet, however, before it was available. . .

The Chairman laid on the table a draft of a Bill drawn up by Mr Turnbull, and Mr Sutter, M.H.8., in regard to farther loans. In connection with it the following resolutions were passed “That the Standing Committee be requested to bring up a report on what extensions, if any, in their opinion is required of the present Breakwater and Moody Jetty, so as to allow large steamers and ships to load and discharge in safety alongside one or the other, with the cost of the same.”

“ That the draft re Empowering Bill be examined by the Standing Committee, after which the Chairman take the necessary steps to hove the same advertised ; and that the Board convey its thanks to the Members for Geraldine, Gladstone and Timaru for their assistance in drafting the Bill, and request them to continue their efforts to get it passed,” “ That the Members for South Canterbuay be requested to ascertain whether loans for Harbor purposes and irrigation can be obtained from the Government Insurance Department or any other Government Fund.” Accounts to the amount of £5884 Us 10d for Breakwater purposes, and £23 Is 8d for the general account having been passed for payment, the meeting terminated.