TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2728, 23 October 1894, Page 4

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

The m-snthly meeting of the Timaru Harbor Board was held on Wednesday. Present Messrs Stuart (chairman), Pringle, Sullivan, Wilson, Talbot, Teschemaker, Stumbles, |£lll and Manchester. An apology was received from Mr Evans, absent on the West Coast. CORRESPONDENCE. Among the correspondence were notices from various local bodies of payment of half year's contributions. From the Marine Department, stating that a " third order" light would be required to make any real improvement in the. light of Timaru, and such a light would cost £I2OO. The Government could not give a grant towards the erection of a light.—Members remarked that the light must stand over. From the Colonial Secretary, forwarding Gazette containing proclamation of extension of borough to high water mark. The harbormaster reported that the dredge ought to be docked soon, and the Board decided to instruct the harbormaster to arrange for the docking as soon a<i convenient, and for a trial of the pump at Dunedin before cleaning. THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE. A mass of correspondence was read regarding the railage rates for frozen mutton. There were several communications from Messrs Flatman, HallJones, and Steward, M.H.R.s a telegram from the Premier, a letter faom Mr G. B. Bullock, one from the Chamber of Commerce covering returns of shipments and railings of frozen meat for Borne time past, and from Mr Flatman a reprint of the evidence given before the Railway Committee of the House by Messrs Waymouth and Anderson '(managers of the Belfast, and of the Islington and Timaru freezing works) on the subject of railage of frozen meat. Mr Flatman, a member of the Railway Committee, drew attention to certain parts of the printed evidence as affecting the board's interests —Mr Anderson said his company were not likely to pay 19s 4d to ship at Lyttelton when they could ship for 4s 6d at Timaru ; but added, " I think we would often get a steamer to pay for this rather than move about." Mr McKerrow said the tendency was to concentrate the shipping of frozen produce at a few main ports, and overtures had been made, by the shipping companies to the Commissioners for reduced railage charges, so as to fix the trade at the main ports. Mr Bullock in his letter, dated 22nd September, commented on some remarks made at the previous meeting of the board. He said the of the Christchurch companies had reference chiefly to increasing the supply of vans, and the application for reduction in rates referred to the present rates from Belfast. and Islington to Lyttelton. A similar petition by Nelson Bros., referred to rates on North Island lints. He was instructed to inform the board that there had never been any intention on the part of the N.Z. Shipping Company to rail large quantities of frozen meat from Timaru to Lyttelton, and that they would in any case, whether the petition was granted or not, continue to bring steamers to Timaru for frozen moat as heretofore. Personally he was as jealous of the interests of this port as any member of the board, and anything he could do to keep its trade intact, or to increase it, he should do most willingly. The returns forwarded by the Chamber of Commerce showed that since the Ist June last 38,619 carcases of sheep and lambe had been railed from Timaru to Lyttelton for shipment—B647 to S.S. and A., and 29,972 to N.Z.S. Company's steamers—and a return by the secretary showed that during the same period 36,746 carcases had been shipped at Timaru by three steamers.

The chairman drew attention to the fact that since May more mutton had been railed to Lyttelton than had been shipped at Timaru.

Messrs Hill and Sullivan moved this resolution :—" That the Shaw, Savill and the New Zealand Shipping Companies be written to drawing attention to the quantity of frozen mutton railed from Timaru for shipment ft t Lyttelton, during the past four months 5 also showing the rot urns of exports shipped ju their vessels at Timaru for the period 1890-1893, and respectfully asking that with the view of fostering a continuance of the past mutually satisfactory and friendly trade, they arrange in future to ship all muttoa frozen locally, at Timaru wharf.'' After some discussion the motion was amended by inserting u as far as possible " after "arrange," and was then carried unanimously. Mr Hill said he would like the other motion altered. It asked the Government not to reduce the rate to Lyttelton ; it should also ask that the rate be reduced to the nearest port. The charge of 4s 6d a ton for less than two miles was excessive when they charged only 193 4d for over 100 miles.

The secretary understood that in railing to Lyttelton the charge is made for railing in to Timaru 4s, and from Timaru to Lyttelton 15s, not direct from the works. The first reduction might be a thorough or direct charge of 15s. The chairman pointed out that thsy could not expect more than Is reduction on the local rate, while 7s or 8s might be knocked • ft* the rate to Lyttelton. Proposed by Mr Talbot, seconded by Me Hill, and carried unanimously—- " That in yj,ew of the Government assuming the management of the railways in a short time, they be a*kpd that any reductions that may be made on £he carriage of frozen meat may not be made on long distances, if such reduction has in \iaw the favoring of one port as against another; bat that reductions, if any, may be made on the parriage from the freezing works to the neatest port • and that the local bodies in the harbor district be asked to support this resolution," STANDING COMMITTEE. The Standing Committee reported the »«*ept#nce of a tender for printing the report of ih# Royal Commission on the breakwater efctecsjon. and accompanying evidence., They reGomnj,6n4 sh&£ }£ be an instruction to the harbor master to undertake the repair of surf-boats, ({leaning and painting buoys, painting buildjugs, etc., in slack time of his men, no «ai*'# labor to be taken on for this pur-ine.-^.^proved. HARb'WRtyASTEB's REPORT. Captain Clarksoii £• ported the arrival of 17 steamejs and 3 sailing vessels of an aggregate tonnage of 8006 tons and the departure of 17 steamers and 3 sailing vessels of an aggregate tonnage of 7874 tons during September. The weather during the mouth was fine. The usual soundings have been taken during tho month and resulted recorded. The following are the dredging returns : —7O hours'/dredging with buckets (4800 tons) ; total qu:iii.t|ty dredged and discharged 11,200 tons. Tfca 'Jjmaru was floated ont of Lyttelton graving d,c>(iU on March ]4th, and tt is now 7 mouths sjn.ce that time, it would ba ndyisublo to got he* clea ed during the slack /shipping season. The chairman said members expressed satisfaction at the improved return of dredging done.

THE BOYAL COMMISSION. The chairman stated that the report of the Royal Commission was not to hand yet. ACCOUNTS. The wharfage return.for four weeks to September 15th wbb received, £49116s 4d. This is some way below the average of past years. The returns of the trade of the port for the September quarter were presented by the secretary, the total being 19,018 ,tons, a decrease of nearly 4000 tons compared with the same quarter of 1893, and still larger decreases compared with 1892 and 1891.—lhe chairman said the falling off was chiefly in the export of wheat. Accounts amounting to £6BB 10s lid were passed for payment. The Board rose at 12.30 p.m.