TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2331, 17 March 1892, Page 3

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Timaru Harbour Board was field yesterday. Pre-sent—-Messrs E. Acton (chairman), I. L. Morris, J. Wilson, T. Teschemaker, F. R. Flatman, G. Stumbles, J. Hill, and J, S, Gibson. CORRESPONDENCE. Among the correspondence inward was the following : From the Bank of New Zealand, advising the placing of £3247 2s lOd on fixed deposit to “ Mana insurance fund.” Jfi-pm Mr Croll, inspector of machinery etc., stating tfiat the Mana ought to be supplied witfi 20 life-belts for passengers. The davits were neither long enough nor strong enough for the boats, and the disengaging gear in the boats was not satisfactory.—The cost was estimated at £2O, and it was decided to have the alterations made, A tender obtained for a new sfiaft for the chequer buoy was £32. Tfie cost of ] the whole buoy at Home was stated to have been only £4o.—lt was decided to 1 consult the harbor master whether the I repaired shaft will be sufficient its I purpose. The ring is being made half an inch larger in diameter.

HARBOR master’s REPORT. 1 The harbor master reported the arrival of 17 steamers and 9 sailing vessels, of an aggregate registered tonnage of 10,569 tons, and the departure of 17 steamers and 8 sailing vessels, of a total tonnage of 9226 tons, for the month ending 29th February. The weather during the month was changeable, with occasional heavy seas. The usual soundings have been undertaken during the month, with results as per book. He mentioned a quantity of rope required. The harbormaster also reported on the loss of the Elginshire, and a dispute as to the Ganymede. On the arrival of the Ganymede at the port, he went out in the tug Mana, and was informed by the captain that he did not _ know whether he should require his services or not. He was then compelled to follow the Ganymede, which sailed into the harbor, but as the vessel got into what he considered a dangerous position he got his own men to take the tow-rope from the Mana, and moored the vessel to the buoy. Re the Ganymede the chairman stated the board’s solicitors had given certain advice, and it would be advisable not to discuss the subject at present, as nothing could be done until the Ganymede returned. Discussion re the Elginshire was postponed. A tender of Priest & Holdgate for supply of ironmongery was accepted. The railway returned the wharfage collected for four weeks to January 30th as £595 4s Bd. Accounts were passed for payment amounting to £572 10s 9d. THE SHINGLE QUESTION. A copy of a resolution was received from the Waimate County Council, approving of the action of their representatives (Messrs Manchester _ and Teschemaker), in regard to the shingle question ; and also from the chairman of a public meeting of ratepayers at Geraldine, a resolution condemning the proposal to shift the shingle. Mr Talbot challenged a statement made by Mr Flatman at the Geraldine meeting, that the board had put a value of £2OOO on the p.s. Titan and sold her for £l9B, implying that the board had sacrificed her. Mr Flatman rose to explain, and in the course of his remarks said the minority had been trampled upon. He said he referred to the sale of the Titan because one of the proposals of the engineer contemplated the sale of the Mana, and the board might be in the same fix with regard to her. Proposed by Mr Teschemaker, seconded by Mr Talbot, and carried, after a long discussion, “ That the proposal No. 3. of the engineer’s report of Feb. 13th, 1892, be adopted by the board as being the most economical for the board’s general requirements, including both the shingle removal and the inner harbor dredging, and as being in accordance with the distinct advice of the commissioners that full, immediate, and sufficiently powerful machinery should be obtained for all future contingencies ; and that the engineer be now instructed to prepare plans, specifications, and conditions for construction, delivery, and time maintenance of'plant, and submit the same for the consideration of the board at the next meeting of the board.” Messrs Hill and Flatman moved an amendment to the effect that consideration of the matter stand over till next meeting, as two members were absent, and to allow time for public petitions now in preparation to come before the board. The amendment was lost by 6 to 3, Mr Stumbles voting with the mover and seconder for it. . [Proposal No. 3 is to obtain a 250-ton hopper, fitted with large Priestman crane and powerful sand pump, to do ordinary dredging and carry shingle from Priestman dredge working on the mole, as in the late experiment; the boat would also be capable of doing towing work. The first cost was estimated at £BOOO, and the annual cost, including working of the dredge on the mole, £2160.]