TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1379, 15 August 1885, Page 3

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

The regular monthly meeting of this Board was held on Thursday at their offices, Messrs Maclean and Stewarts buildings. Present Messrs Moody (Chairman), J. Talbot, Wilson, Elworthy, Hayes, Acton and Kelland. The Chairman stated that the revenue for the month had been £lll9 19s 4d. He also mentioned one or two of the amendments made in the Harbor Board Empowering Bill by the Tjpper House, but the Board decided to leave over the consideration of the Bill till a copy of it came to hand. The Timaru A. and P. Association were granted the use of offices free of charge. Correspondence of an unimportant nature was dealt with. Mr John Gondal!, consulting Engineer, reported that the Harbor Works were going on most satisfactorily. He had had the opportunity of noticing the south aide of the breakwater during a heavy sea, and he feund it was thoroughly protected by the incrustation of seaweed, mussels, etc. The pell mell blocks on the south side were also similarly protected. He recommended that a few pell mell blocks should be placed at the root of the breakwater on the south side, to prevent the sea from encroaching on the contractors’ blockmaking works. In rough weather the work was frequently stopped on this account. He still advised that the dredgings should be deposited in the pocket or on the south side of the breakwater. The question of placing blocks at the root of the breakwater was left with the Standing Committee to deal with. The Board did not approve of either of the methods proposed for the disposal of the silt, and the question was referred to the Standing Committee, The Clerk of Works (Mr Hamilton) in his report stated Breakwater Contract No. 5 bad been completed for a distance of 362 feet, and 58 feet of foundation blooks were awaiting their monolith capping. There were 82 feet of foundation blocks to be laid to complete the contract. Moody wharf was making fair progress, considering the tedious nature of the operation of fixing the piles. Good driving ground would soon be reached. Plenty of timber was to hand for the prosecution of the work. The large quantity of cement coming to hand had necessitated the use of additional storage. A great many of the ironbark piles per John Knott had been condemned. The Board decided that the Engineer should report on the advisability of extending the wharf 100 feet. The Harbor Master reported the arrival of 35 vessels, of the aggregate register tonnage of 11,160 tons, and the departure of 28 vessels, of the aggregate register tonnage of 7913 tons, during the month of July, 1885. All the vessels received good despatch, to facilitate which i the Landing Service was kept employed, the gross earnings being £245 4s 4d, and the net £ll3 19s lid. He stated the middle of the harbor still maintained the •dditional depth mentioned in his last report. He suggested that storage accommodation should be provided on the Moody wharf for goods landed and not taken delivery of, and that kauri timber should be purchased at once for redecking the Titan. It was resolved to purchase the kauri limber and to refer the matter of a goods shed on Moody wharf to the Committee to report on; also, that the Harbor Master be requested to prepare a chart showing the position of mooring chains and means of holding in the harbor. Captain Watson, Lloyd’s surveyor, wrote suggesting a means of doing away with the range, and his suggestion was referred to the Engineer to report on. The Board thought the proposal a good one. After the consideration of the report of the Standing Committee on insurance, etc., it was unanimously resolved- That the Canterbury Marine Underwriters’ Association be asked to reconsider the rates of insurance on Home cargoes from this port, and to make them the same as Port Chalmers and Lyttelton, the shelter and facilities of the port now warranting the concession asked for.” Accounts amounting to £7208 12s 9d were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned.