TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1892, 16 May 1889, Page 3

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Timaru Harbor Board was held yesterday. Present Mr E. Acton (chairman), Captains Sutter and Woollcombe, Messrs J, L. Morris, J, Talbot, J. S. Wilson, T. Teschemaker, K. E. Gray, J. Manchester, and Mr D. M Boss. Letters were read— Erom McNiven and Co., London, stating that the order for spikes had been filled exactly. The engineer produced his letter book to show that the spikes sent were smaller than those ordered: Erom Priestman Bros., in reply to letter complaining that the wear and

tear on some of the grabs had been very great. They supposed that instructions had been given not to drop the grabs from a greater height than was necessary to make them pick up the spoil. Tbe writers sent a drawing and description of a new dredge bucket, Morgan’s patent, which was giving great satisfaction to users. One of them had lifted half a million tons at Glasgow and was very little the worse for it. Erom the chairman of the Underwriters’ Association, stating that it was not true that the association had agreed to place Timaru and Oamaru on the same footing as the larger ports in respect of insurance charges. Members of the association had not seen a paragraph in the Otago Daily Times stating that the alteration bad been made before the Timaru Harbor Board mentioned it. Mr Spalding wrote stating that the paragraph referred to London insurances, and if the board made enquiries they would find that London offices would insure cargoes from Timaru at the same rates as from other ports. Members thought further enquiries ought to be made. The Marine Department had been asked to republish the plan of the harbor with their annual report, as last year, but had replied that as there was so littld difference in the plan, and the purpose of the publication was to show improvements, it did not seem worth while to publish it this year, A further letter had been written by Mr Turnbull, urging that there had been a good deal ot improvement effected, in the construction of tbe north mole, and the plan was well worth publishing on that account. Erom the Otago Dock Trust, stating that they had contracted for the erection of shear legs for lifting heavy weights, and therefore did not require the crane Hercules.

A report from Mr George Croll, Government Inspector of Machinery, on his inspection of tug Titan, was received, with a list of repairs needed to hull and boiler.—The chairman reported that the work of repairing the boat had been entrusted to Messrs Morgan and Cable, of Dunedin. It could not be stated yet how much the repairs would cost. A letter was received from a resident of Invercargill warning the board against making the same mistake as was made by the Bluff Harbor Board in ordering their tug Awarua from Home through Mr Darling. A copy of this letter had been sent to Captain Cameron for his remarks, and he wrote in reply explaining that Mr Darliug had nothing to do with the building of the Awarua, being in the colony at the time, and that if the boat had proved unsatisfactory it was due to the nature of the conditions imposed upon the designer. The engineer reported that several of the spare concrete blocks had been removed from the blockyard, and a few of them had been stacked on the parapet offset of the breakwater. The North Mole Contract was progressing satisfactorily. Since last meeting the Taniwha had dredged and discharged 1275 tons of spoil, and 18 tons of rocks in 10 working days. He had completed the plans and description of the proposed harbor endowment. Captain Clarkson reported the arrival of 17 steamers and 3 sailing vessels (7045 tons), and the departure of 18 steamers and 5 sailing vessels (8138) tons during April. The weather during April had been exceptionally fine. He suggested that the buoys denoting the wreckage of the Duke of Sutherland and Lyttelton be removed and replaced with conical-shaped buoys, tbe ones at present in use not being sufficiently visible, and also being very heavy on the chains. During tbe month the usual soundings had taken place with result as per book.” —ln a conversation on the subject of the wreck buoys, Captain Sutter explained that the buoys required were “ nun ” buoys, double cones; the present «nes were casks.—The secretary stated that the hooping and rehooping of the casks had cost more than proper iron buoys would have done. —Inquiries to be made whether the proper buoys can be had or make in the colony.

The chairman reported that the tender of Whelan and Co. had been accepted for painting and tarring the Titan, at £lO 15s. A memo, from the engineer suggested the advisability of consulting the Marine Department as to the colors for leading lights, and ordering the necessary lanterns from Home at once. —The harbor master to be consulted. ' Captain Sutter presented a report on the staff of the tug and dredge, and recommended that an additional permanent hand be engaged, one able to act as fireman on the tug. He moyed to this effect, and it was agreed to, an amendment by Mr Talbot, that the question be referred to the Standing committee, being lost. Some conversation took place on the considerable sums paid for extra labor. This month it amounted to £23. No resolution was passed on the subject. Mr Gray referred to the waste of power and labor in hauling vessels up the slip in the present fashion, which he considered both cumbersome and dangerous. He asked that the engineer report at next meeting whether the hauling engine should be shifted. — The engineer said the manner of hauling up vessels was the cheapest that could he adopted when

the slip was made, and when the surf heats were quite done with it would be well to shift the engine. Accounts amounting to £1627 5s 5d were passed. The railway return of wharfage collected during the four weeks ended March 3lst, was £538. The secretary read copies of letters sent to Mr Darling (constructor to the Union Company) at Home, asking him to obtain tenders for, and supervise the construction of, a new tug, the broad lines of the specification for which were given. It was resolved to transmit to London, through the Bank of New Zealand, £SOOO, for Mr Darling to draw upon in connection with the contract; the balance to be sent later. The meeting then terminated.