TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2205, 23 May 1891, Page 1

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Timaru Harbor Board was held on Wednesday. Present Messrs B. Acton (chairman), J. S. Gibson, I. L. Morris, J. Wilßon, J. Manchester, J. Talbot, P. E. Flatman, Q- Stumbles, J. Hill, and Captain Woollcombe. THE SHIKfIUiE (JUESTIOH, After dealing with soma matters of detail a letter from Mr C. Y. O'Connor was read. In this he warned the board that damage would be done to property along the coast if the shingle was stopped at Timaru. The following estimates were submitted by Mr J. Wellman (Wellraan's dredge):—No. 1 was for a hopper suction dredge and fixed piping on the wharf, and moveable suction pipe and nozzle, to shift 675 tons per day or the whole in 200 working days -.—plant £7500; interest and deprecation £9BB, working cost (£3 5s per day) £650, repairs etc. £l5O, slipping, cleaning etc. £260, total £1938, or in round numbers £1950, or 3£d per ton for 135,000 tons :—Proposal No. 2—Bopper suction dredge as before, with Priestman dredge on hopper, suction dredge to shift 1200 tons of shingle per day, or the whole 135,000 tons in 113 days:—Cost of plant £9500; interest and depreciation (six months) £593 15s, cost of working (£3 10s per day), £375 10s; half cost wear and tear and hall cost ot cleaning £183; total £1172 ss, or sa? £,1175, or a fraction over 2d per ton. Cost of ordinary dredging with this plant for 250 days: —Interest and deprecation (six months) £593 15 ; working expenses 137 days at £3 10s, £479 10s; wear and tear and half cost of cleaning, £193; total, £1266 ss, say £1275. The ordinary dredging done would exceed considerably the amount done by the board's present plant when working in sand or silt, [fh-9 Priestman would be for lifting; bowlders only.] The cost of the double work—shifting the shingle and dredging the harbor—with the large plant would be about £2450 e year. If the smaller dredge were got the Taniwha must be kept at work too, at present cost £1250 a year, making with the suction dredge at £1950, a total of £3200. Thus by adopting the larger machine, a saving of about £750 per annum would be effected, and the board would have a

plant that could be worked outside the harbor at any time if required. It was resolved to thank Mr Wellman for the information. PINI-NCIiL. Mr W. Shiers, clerk to the Geraldine Road Board, forwarded L 123 7a 7d, the board’s first half-year’s contribution under the new harbor arrangements. The wharfage return for the four weeks ended 31st March was L 742 2d, which the secretary stated was Ll5O to L2OO above the average. Accounts amounting to LB9O 10s 6d were passed for payment. IMPBOTBMEITT 01 THE HJIBSOH. Mr Hill moved and Mr Elatman seconded—“ That the commissioners, Messrs Wilson and Bell, be asked to

report on the best means to be adopted for preventing the range which prevails alongside the main wharf in heavy 8.8. weatheralso.ai to the capacity of the harbor for the accommodation of the class of vessels visiting the port at the present time, and as to the probable requirements for the accommodation of the vessels which are likely to be trading to the port within the next five years, taking as a basis of calculation for the latter the increase in the trade of the port, and the siae of the vessels engaged therein, which has taken place during the past five years;, and- that the harbormaster be requested to furnish the.commissioners with his opinion and past experience, and also to afford any other information in his possession .bearing on the matter which maybe likely to assise the commissioners in ■preparing their report." •Mr fifill urged it was neceasary.,to provide for. large vessels, Mr G-ibson moved as au amendment andfMr Morris seconded —“ That the attention of the Commissioners be drawn to the question whether extending the permanent works would kill the present range inside the. harbor.” The matter was discussed at some length, one party bolding that the larger vessels would never come to Timaru, and the ethers that all facilities should be given to them to come. Eventually the amendmeot was carried by five, to four, and the board adjourned.