TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2462, 9 February 1893, Page 3

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

A special and ordinary meeting of the I Tiraaru Harbor Board was held yesterday. Present —Messrs E. Acton (chairman), Gibson, Morris, Talbot, Manchester, Teschemaker, Stumbles, and Hill.

In reply to Mr Manchester, the secretary said that the chairman (Mr Acton), and Messrs Morris and Gibson were the members of the committee present (out of seven) when the recommendation was made setting aside the funds to meet payments on account of the new dredge. The recommendation had come before the board in the usual course, and was adopted. COBEESPON’DBN' OE. Letters were read— From the Manager of the Bank of New Zealand, advising that £6OOO had been remitted by draft to their London office. From the same, advising that the sum of £5644 13s 2d had been credited to the board’s current account,

From Messrs Siebe, Gorman & Co., Belfast llopoworks, and Messrs McQueen & Go., re necessaries.

HARBOR MASTER’S REPORT,

Captain Clarkson reported the arrival of fourteen steamers and five sailing vessels, of an aggregate registered tonnage of 11,438 tons, and the departure of fourteen steamers and six sailing vessels, of a total tonnage of 9857 tons, for the month ending January 31st. The weather had been genarally tine. The usual s Bindings had been taken, and the results could bo seen from the book on the table. Between Saturday night, the 28th "of January, and the following Monday several bags of coal which were lying on the blocks at tho_ approacli of tlio main wharf and some timber from the Moody (the property of the board) wore thrown into Ihe harbor by some person or persons unknown; fUso at dillbrent times the mooring chains had bqeri thrown overboard. ' The Ijarbor master suggested that a reward bo dil'ercd for the discovery of fclia oll'encler or olleudwa.

On the motion of Mr Gibson, seconded by Mr Morris, it was resolved —“ That the secretary offer a reward of £5 for such information as will lead to a conviction of any person or persons causing damage to any of the Board’s property.” THE TUG-DREDGE. Mr John Darling wrote under date Glasgow, December 23,1892, as follows : —“ I received your cablegram to accept Lobnitz’s offer for the building and delivery of your dredge at Timaru. As I knew this firm had quite recently booked a couple of steamers I called on them to see how we stood regarding our altered project for early delivery, and after doing the best I could in this direction I accepted their offer subject to my approval of plans and specifications, and after getting these into such a shape that I could make sure of my ground, I cabled you that delivery would be made at Timaru in October next. This I think you may rely upon as the builders are very prompt people, aud as the vessel will be steamed all the way I look for the passage out being made in much better time than what is looked for from the ordinary hopper dredges. By this mail I am sending you plans, specifications, and contract, all duly signed. As the details and specifications are not so fully described as you might look for, I made it a point in the conditions that everything must be to my satisfaction, whether mentioned in the specifications or not. You must, therefore, hang me if things are not up to the mark, but as I know we are in good sure hands, I feel sure you will get a cheap and successful dreder,” ANNUAL RETORT. The annual report first of all dealt with the shingle accumulation on the south side of the breakwater and the _ steps taken by the board to deal with it, the presentation of the petition from the ratepayers of Geraldine objecting to any further expenditure on plant for the removal of shingle, the ordering of the new tug dredge, and the provisions made for paying for it. Til© board, woro now in treaty for the disposal of the p.s. Maua, delivery to be given in December of this year. Should the present negotiations fall through, the board do not anticipate any difficulty in effecting a sale, as the boat has proved herself to be powerful, fast, and satisfactory in every respect, aud is without doubt one of the best tugs in the colonies. It then dealt with the stranding of the Elginshire and the unavailing efforts made to float her. The dredge Taniwha had been kept fully employed at maintaining the water in the shippiug berths. The result of her year’s work had been 31,565 tons of silt, 10,880 tons of shingle, and 628 tons of stone lifted and removed. It was apparent, however, that she cannot cope with the annual accumulation ; the utmost that she had been able to do was to maintain aud somewhat improve the shipping berths. Over the harbor generally, since the time that Captain Woollcombe’s aud Sir John Goode’s soundings were taken, there had been a shoaling of three feet, and in view of the continually increasing size of vessels visiting the port, it was quite time that steps were taken to deal with the matter. The right to erect protective works on the foreshore between the railway and the sea north of the breakwater having been conceeded by the board to the Government, the certificate of title had been issued. The questions in dispute with the railway, in reference to the board’s rights in the matter of the foreshore south of the breakwater, still remained unsettled, and were in the hands of the board’s solicitors. The result of the year’s working had been fairly satisfactory; although the exceptionally wet harvest of 1392, the temporary falling off in the local export of frozen mutton, together with the heavy duties imposed on New Zealand produce in the New South Wales market, had had a general depressing effect upon the export trade. The total tonnage of goods lauded and shipped during the past five years was as follows :

the year had been £7,289 9a 8d as against £7,869 4s lOd for 1891. Beyond the cost of the towage and dredging services, salaries, wages, and cost of hawsers, etc., the amount included an expenditure of £179 7s 4d, on completing the alterations to the slipway, £156 16s 9d for putting clown two screw moorings, £54 5s 4d balance cost of three months trial of shingle removal plant, and £439 10s 2d spent in repairs to the breakwater and wharves. In addition to the revenue for the year as stated above, the sum of £1342 os 6d, balance of law costs recoverod' in the action with the Shaw, Savill and Albion Co., had been received. The amount levied as harbor rate for 1892 was £4557 13s 7d, equal to 3/16ths of a penny in the pound, a similar amount would be sufficient for all requirements during the current year. The report showed that the board's 5 per cent, debentures were quoted at 96 to 98, and if the value of the security was understood in London it was believed they would be much higher. A summary of receipts mid expenditure, and] other statements and estimates were appended. The report, balance-sheet, etc., were adopted. VOTE Or THANKS. On the motion of Mr J. S, Gibson, seconded by Mr Stumbles, it was resolved —" That a cordial yote of thanks be tendered the chairman for the courteous and able manner in which he has carried out the duties of his office during the term of the present board." The chairman briefly returned thanks and the meeting terminated.

1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 74,517 tons 79,019 „ 89,1°3 „ 88,571 „ 87,509 „ The ordinary revenue received for the same period, exclusive of receipts from harbor rate and interest on deposits, had been for: — ... 1889 ... 1890 ... 1891 ... 1892 ... £9,447 13s 6d 10,882 3 9 12,658 10 9 13,405 17 6 13,960 4 7 The working expenses of the harbor for