TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2358, 19 May 1892, Page 3

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Timaru Harbor Board was held yesterday. Present—Messrs B. Acton (chairman), W. Evans, J. Hill, G. Stumbles, F. R. Flatmau, T. Teschemaker, J. Manchester, J. Talbot, J. WiLon, I. L. Morris, and J. S. Gibson. Some correspondence of no great interest having been disposed of the following letter from Mr C. G. Tripp was read

“E. Acton, Esq., a Chairman Geraldine County Council, .. “ Deae Sie, —I have had the pleasure of MrT.Teechemaker’s company here for a few days. He has shown me the report of the engineers, and I am fully convinced the board are right in following the advice given re removing the shingle, as he has pointed out the extra cost will uot exceed “ £SOO ” a year more than we are paying at present with the present dredge. Mr Teschemaker says he is entirely “ with me,” however, in running out a wall from the corner of the breakwater, of rabble stone, if it can be done, as Jones, the contractor of the north wall says he will do it, for £IOOO a chain, or £ls a foot. I grant you it is only a “ temporary expedient,” but it may do for some years, when you will have to dredge sooner or later. I spoke to Captain Sutter iu Timaru also about it, and he said it was only a temporary expedient. I own that, but the advantage to be gained is, you make most valuable land, which will be a great source of revenue to the board. I understand that some members of the board are under the impression that Mr O’Connor recommends a groin to be run out straight. Mr Teschemaker informs me he did so “ formerly,” but as the breakwater has had the turn made in it since he recommended it, he does not do so now. Bead his report please to the board. “ The board can do no other plan than follow the advice of the engineers, and if I were on the board I should do the same. —I am, etc., “ O. G. Teipp.”

The reading of the letter was received with much laughter and interruptions, and Mr Teschemhker essayed to explain his coimectian with it, but was called to order, and the chairman insisted on being allowed to read it without hindrance. Several interjections were thrown in, amongst which Mr Evans said Mr Teschemaker had been canvassing his squatter friends. THE SHINGLE QUESTION. ■" The chairman said that at last meeting they referred to Mr Cook the plans of the proposed dredge, and he replied that he wished to have Captain Cameron associated with him in the matter. He (the chairman) had authorised Mr Cook to get the assistance of Captain Cameron, and now they had their joint report. They recommended the vessel to bo 125 feet long, 24 feet wide, and 12 feet deep, with twin screws 450-horse power, boiler sufficient to bear 1101 b pressure to the square inch. The cost of such a vessel would be £B9OO, but the dredging plant would cost £3OOO extra, making in all £11,900. They recommended .'.ending the plans Home to Mr John Darling, and let him call for tenders. The vessel should be built in sections and put together in Timaru.

In reply to a question Mr Marchant said the alterations made as compared with his own specifications were—the size maa increased from 116 feet to 125 feet, foot more beam was added, a ballast tank was put in her, and some other alterations made.

With regard to bringing the vessel out in sections it was decided this was impracticable, as the duty on the machinery would be very large. Mr Talbot said the question was whether they would order’the vessel from Home or not.

Mr Hill said the chairman said at last meeting they would call fox* tenders in L4he colony. The chairman admitted he had done so, because ho felt it was the mind of the board. , Mr Gibson moved —“ That the additions and alterations in the specifications and plans of of the proposed combined tug and dredge, made by Messrs Cook and Cameron, be approved, and the plans and specifications so amended be approved and adopted. That the chairman ho requested to forward, by next mail, to Mr John Darling copies of the plans and specifications, and instruct him to call for alternate tenders : first_ for the hopper dredge and tug combined, second for the dredge only, but with two cranes on deck and single screw propeller; but in both cases to bo fitted with the necessary sailiirgfgoar to enable the vessel to sail to Timaru, and Mr Darling to cable out the amount of the lowest tender in each case for tiro board’s consideration. That copies of the plans and specifications be forwarded to the leading firms in the colony inviting them to submit tenders upon the same conditions as in England, and no tender bo opened until the arrival of the cabltf tenders from England. Tenders in the colony to be in on or before the 15th day of July, 1892. A separate tender be invited and Cabled out f >r sailing the vessel out to Timaru as in the case of the tug Mana.” This resolution was handed from hand to hand, but no one' would secoqd it, qntil at last Mr Teschmaker did sq. In reply to a question the secretary said it cost £7of) to bring the Mana to Thtovru and £9OO for insurance. Mr Gibson then proceeded to speak to his resolution. His reasons for leaving the question open as to the class of a /'vessel they would get was as they were not certain as to the price. It would depend on their means as to the class of

vessel they got. There was no doubt as to the necessity for getting a dredge. The first question to settle was the dredging, and then they could discuss permanent works. Ho would be glad if someone on the other side would move for a Commission to consider an extension of 500 feet.

Mr Hill; Another Commission ? We have had enough of them ! Mr Hibson said some urged to go on with rubble blocks, but he felt they would be swept all over the harbor. He would prove the shingle was advancing. In 1881 Mr O’Connor said it would be out to 825 ft. in 1893. [Mr Gibson produced a long extract from a report by Mr Goodall, in which he implied to Mr O’Connor to the effect that the shingle had in 1882 gone back, instead of outwards, 24ft.] Mr Flatmau rose to a point of order. Were they going to discuss the shingle again ? If so, everyone would have to do it, and they would be there all the evening. The chairman said the question had already been decided. Mr Gibson said ho wished to speak not only to the board, but also to the country. The chairman said he must confine himself to the subject of the resolution. Mr Gibson insisted he was doing so, and that it was quite within the scope of the resolution to discuss the subject of the shingle. The chairman said the Board had already affirmed the necessity of shifting the shingle, and read the resolution to that effect.

After some further altercation Mr Gibson said he would be satisfied if every member was confined to the question in the same way. He would now go from the necessity to the utility of the vesa '1 There were GOOD yards of sand now at the end of the breakwater, and the proposed dredge was well adapted for lifting it. They had found the Maua very expensive; say she towed out 20 vessels in a year, there was a dead loss of £125 on each. Taking the same average they could be towed by the proposed dredge for £l3 10s. He next read an extract about sand-pumps from a speech by the late Sir John Goode, in which he said 100 tons of sand had been lifted in 22 minutes. French and German engineers also favoured the sand-pumps, and he urged that the proposed vessel was the best adapted for their work. Mr Teschemaker, in seconding the resolution, urged that it was absolutely necessary to get rid of so expensive a vessel as the Mana. They had not sufficient work for her. He believed that the expenses would not be very much increased, and that the ratepayers would ultimately thank them for the action they wore taking. Mr Flatinau said the ratepayers had not a great deal to thank them for. Not long ago the majority wanted quite a different thing to what they wanted now, and the minority had made them turn right about face. They now found out about the Mana. Why had they not found this out before ? What had the ratepayers to thank them for? Was it their short-sighted way of working which made them change everything they bought almost once a year? Why had they not told them in the beginning it was a dredge tliey wanted, instead of hedging from the shingle to the mud question I The ratepayers had a great deal to be thankful to them for muddling their money away in this way. Mr Gibson said he had good authority for stating there were 0000 tons of sand at the end of the breakwater. Who was his authority ? Why was this information given to some members and kept from the others ? Why were not things done straightforwardly ! Every member ought to have the same chance as Mr Gibson had, and these matters ought to come in the ordinary course of business before the board. He would vote against the resolution.

Mr Evans said he too was not in favor of the resolution, the general feeling amongst the ratepayers was against going to any expense at present. He would move as an amendment —“ That tenders he not called for the proposed dredge during the term of office of the present board.” His reasons was that the majority had receded from their former position. They had come down from £18,700 and £4OOO a year to their present proposal. He would not object to a dredge, provided they got rid of what they had first of all. ‘ They had between £IO,OOO and £17,000 worth of plant which they ought to dispose of first of all, but they should not get more plant and let the vessels they now had lay idle. They ought to sell what they had first. The proposed vessel would cost £12,000, and allowing for extras it would cost £13,000. Then if they brought it out in sections it would cost £3OOO more duty, or £16,000 in all. Tfeey had £BOOO or £9OOO in hand; where was the balance to come from 1 They seemed most anxious to spend their last penny all at once. As regards a rubble wall, Greymouth and Westport ought to be a sufficient guarantee that it would bo a success. On the West Coast, where the sea was rougher than here, rubble walls had stood the test. As regards Mr Goodall’s opinion, as quoted by Mr Gibson, he had given many, and he always suited them to the occasion. Ho once said the breakwater was no hindrance to the shingle, while another engineer suggested the whole work should bo blown up. Engineers always reported to suit circumstances. Go to Hew Plymouth or Gisborne, where Sir John Goode’s plan was carried out, and a vessel drawing 8 feet could not be brought alongside. They had commissioners and engineers there. As for the majority on the board, they were in the minority in the country. Mr Tcechomaker boasted his own district was in his favour, but the meeting at Makikihi no doubt had altered his opinion. Mr Teschemaker : I am as firmly convinced as ever.

Mr Evans ; Oh nothing would convince you. Three-fourths, at least, of the ratepayers are against shingle-shifting, and consequently, he thought their wish* 3B ought to be respected, Mr Hill seconded the amendment, and said that with regard to the statement that (jOOQ tons of silt had collected at the end of the breakwater, it was not in accordance with tile soundings book, Hill then read from the sou'■dings book, in which he compared the depth of water in 1889 with the present time, and showed that the depth was greater now than it was thou.

Mr Aetna : It has been removed. Mr Hill; It has been removed; Mr Gibson says it is iboro ! What are wo to believe ? It lias been removed, .and yet the dredge did not work quarter time. If she bad worked full time, what would she uot have done? As regards deepening the h.vbor, it was dangerous to have it deepoj inside than outride, and as for selling the dredge, Jiow could they expect to sell her after ruining her character as they bad done ? The chairman : Wo don’t mean to sell her; we shall sell the Mana. Mr Hill: Why not get a customer ' lirst of all ! Where will the money be got ? We have only .£BOOO ar £9OOO ;we shall want £ISOO to get the new boat, and where is the money to come from ? Mr Morris rose to a point of order, but was told by the chairman that Mr Hill was within his rights in discussing the financial aspect of the question. Mr Hill continued, and urged on the board to resign, and throw the responsibility on the ratepayers. When elected he pledged himself to oppose the shingleshifting, and he had only consistently done so. Mr Teschemaker (to whom the engineer had previously come from the other end of the room to whisper) asked that the engineer should be called upon to explain the GOOO tons referred to by Mr Hill. The chairman : The engineer has nothing to do with it. The sounding is taken by the harbor master. Mr Stumbles could not see there was any silting up according to the soundings book, and there was no danger when it •was considered the dredge had not worked quarter time. He urged the matter should be allowed to stand over until after next election.

Mr Manchester expressed regret they had to play the changes so often with their vessel, but when the Mana was purchased they thought it was the best course. It was want of foresight that made them do it, but now they were able to see clearer, and they would not be consulting the interests of the ratepayers it they did not do it. As regards the ratepayers, too much was made of it, for it was not an ascertained fact that the majority were against shingle shifting. (Cries of “ Oh, oh,” and laughter). He would support the resolution. Mr Talbot, who was frequently interrupted and not always audible, said a great deal had been made of the majority coming down from £IB,OOO, but still the minority was not satisfied. In getting the plant Ihey would not leave the ratepayers in a worse position. (Interruptions and laughter). They would leave the Mana who could be sold (laughter), and the next Board would have the same money to spend, so the ratepayers would not be hampered. If they were doing wrong no great harm would be done, whereas if the ratepayers were wrong it would be a serious. As regards Mr Manchester, he said ho too thought it was not fully ascertained that the majority of the ratepayers was against them. He had an assurance from the majority of the Mount Feel Hoad Board that they were in favour of his action. He believed the proposed vessel was well suited for their requirements, and the best thing they could do was to get it, Mr Morris wanted to know why those who were talking about resigning did not do so, and let the others have their own way (laughter, and Mr Evans said “ you won’t go in again.”) As regards the Mana they knew they would lose by her, they could not do without her. Mr Evans : No tug at Oamaru. Mr Gibson, in reply, said that a more disgraceful thing was never done in any civilised country than what a number of members had done in stumping the country. The chairman said he would not allow that language. Mr Evans : You had not the pluck to attend a meeting. Mr Gibson : I was ill in bed. Mr Hill (warmly) ; I protest against the use of the word disgraceful. Mr Gibson : It was disgraceful. The chairman ; I will not allow such language. Mr Gibson : They were going about the country putting false issues before it. Mr Evans: We were invited. You had not the pluck to go. The chairman ; I will not allow members to address each other. They must address the chair.

Mr Gibson eventually apologised after some further altercation of a warm nature.

Mr Evans said he opposed the purchase of the Mana, and it was seen now he was right. Only for him the kant would have been turned at the end of the contract, and it was seen now he was right. Ho opposed the present proposal, and it could be seen he was right. If they had spent £IOOO on the Titan, as he had suggested, the £12,000 they had thrown away on the Mana would have been in their pockets to-day. They were going to spend between£l2,ooo and£ls,ooo now,but if half of it were spent on a rubble wall it would keep the shingle back for a long time.

The amendment was then put and lost, and the original motion carried, the voting being as follows: —For purchasing the plant immediately, Messrs Gibson, Teschemaker, Talbot, Manchester, Morris, Wilson, and Acton, 7 ; against it, Messrs Flat,man, Stumbles, Evans, and Hill, 4. _ The balance of the report will appear in our next.