TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2035, 19 April 1890, Page 3

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Timaru Harbor Board was held on Wednesday. Present—Messrs E. Acton (chairman), Morris, Wilson, Teschemaker, Platman, Manchester, Talbot, Barker, D. M. Boss, and Captain Sutter. Among the correspondence read were letters from Mr Darling, reporting that very unsatisfactory progress was being made with the tug, owing to bad weather and trouble with the men. The engineers’ work had been delayed, too, by the second cylinder having to be condemned, but good work was now being done. From Mr McLellan, Pleasant Point, stating that he had a scheme for stopping a leak in a wooden ship, by caulking and pitching, if the leak were anywhere within 12ft of the waterline. If any ship sprang a leak in the harbor he would be very glad to supply full information for the use of his scheme.—lt was decided to refer the writer to the harbor master.

Favorable replies were received from the Mackenzie and Geraldine County Councils, Temuka and Geraldine Road Boards, Timaru Borough Council, and Temuka Town Board, respecting the board’s proposal to introduce a Bill to alter the mode of collecting the harbor rate, to levy on the local bodies. It was stated that £2331 had been collected of the harbor rate, leaving £650 outstanding, mostly in small sums. The secretary stated that be had had about 800 race notices returned from the post office, marked “unclaimed,” “not called for,” “not known,” or “left the district.” He was making enquiries to get them sent out again with better effect.—The chairman was requested to take legal proceedings against defaulters. The engineer reported that the payments passed this month close all accounts in connection with the north mole contract, with the exception of the retained deposit. Since the dredge Taniwha had been off the slip she had dredged and discharged 1040 tons of spoil. The harbor master reported the arrival of 24 steam and 10 sailing vessels during March. He submitted a list of ropes required, 9 coils manilla, , 4 of coir, and one each of rattline and spunyarn.—These to he obtained. The standing committee reported the leceipt of a letter from Mr George Gahites offering to sell the eighth-acro section on which the flagstaff and rocket brigade shed stand for £250,

or to renew the lease for a term of years. The committee recommended the purchase of the property, and this was agreed to. Captain Sutter moved, Mr Teschemaker seconded, and it was carried— That the engineer be instructed to lay on the table at next meeting a plan of the harbor showing the point beyond which the shingle should not ® allowed to increase outwards without that increase becoming dangerous to the harbor.” Mr Teschemaker moved, Mr Platman seconded, and it was carried—i hat a sum of £IO,OOO out of the 886 loan be placed to a separate account for the purpose of meeting any expenditure that the harbor board may at any future time consider accessary to check the travelling shingle from damaging the harbor; the interest from the said deposit to* be placed to the general account.”— Messrs Talbot, Barker, and Manchester spoke strongly against the resolution, and voted against it. On the metion of Captain Sutter, seconded by Mr Morris, it was resolved that the standing committee report at next meeting what reductions, if any, are necessary in the engineer’s and harbor master’s staff. The mover explained that now the construction of works was completed, and the working of the shipping trade made easier, the staff ought to be revised again. Accounts to the amount of £1252 11s 6d were passed for payment. These included £SOO for the viaduct on Palliser and Jones’ contract, and £199 extra work on the north mole terminal. The wharfage return for the four weeks ended March Ist was £605 7s Bd.