Thames Harbor Board.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4631, 7 November 1883, Page 2

Thames Harbor Board.

The usual meeting was held yesterday. Present: Messrs Fraser (Chairman), Bag nail, Bull, Carpenter, McGowan, Price, and Wilson.—A letter had been received from the Marine Department stating that the proposed new byo'jaw was ultra vires, as the wharves affected were not sufficiently specified. It was decided that the matter be held over until the Minister's proposed visit to the district takes place.—rln relation with the sale of a foreshore lease lately held by Mr Perry, it was decided, owing to the Act not granting the Board sufficient power, that Mr Lovatt be allowed to remain temporarily in possession, and application be made to the Governor, in terms of the Act, for the necessary license.—The Dredge Committee reported to the following effect:—"The Committee, after inspecting the fire channels through which the Kauaeranga flows, after passing Shortland Wharf, recommend that the first, second, fourth, and fifth be closed up, and that the third, the largest and most straight of ail, be deepened at its entrance, and a ti-tvee grpiu or sheet piling be made on the south-eastern side of the' main channel or near the lamp-post, so as to confine and lead the water into the third channel, It

is recommended after this that directing beacons be removed and re erected so as to mark out the third channel, The Committee recommend that the Harbor Master prepare the plan and specification for the work, and that tenders to bo called for the same" The report was adopted, and plans and specifications ordered to be submitted to the nest meeting.—The Harbor Master reported to the effect that: —"Works at the Goods VPharf during October have been confined to keeping the silt wall going, building a stand for horses close down to the silt wail, and keeping the planking of the wharf in repair. The planking is getting into a bad state, very little of the old planking ta.ken up from where the road now is remains, and a consignment of new planking had been ordered to keep going. The advisability of continuing' the road on down to the silt works wall, was suggested as bemore economical than timber work. An estimate of the filling required was slightly over sis thousand yards. The filling suggested should not cost more than £320, which would take about five or six months to complete, and it is necessary to keep at least one wharf in thorough working order. Shortland Wharf at present is in a muddled state, and there was no way of improving mat" ters there until the railway contractors are finished. They did nothing to the new portion of the wharf last month, but are now at it. Through the death of Mr Harris the dredge wa3 left out of repair. Everything has been put in order, and she lies fit for use when called for. It is unsafe to moor them in Shortland creek on account of., the freshes and danger from logs, as freshes have been frequent of late. Ec the j Shortland channel it was suggested that a survey be made, so that there would be some plan to work from. A small quantity of luminous paint had been obtained for a trial, and it answers fully as far as tried. Three of the lamp posts on the wharf have been coated with it, on the upper and lower sides, and it showed perfectly distinct from po=t to post on Sunday night last, in extremely dark, dirty weather. It would be very, useful for the beacons up river, the buoy at the mouth of the rirer, and various other purposes. It is more expensive than anticipated. This coating will require to be left some months to see the time the paint retains its luminous power. Two cases have arisen lately which neither the general harbour 1 regulations or the bylaws can effectually deal with, and from clause 1 to clause 22 of schedule B of regulations in use where there is no Harbour Board should be incorporated in the Board ByLaws. Life belts can be obtained at £1 10s each."—The Secretary said that the deficiencies in the bye-laws were, first, the absence of provision for the buoying of anchors in mid-channel; 'Secondly the want of a clause to compel shipmasters to take in the pilot when passing up the river. —It was agreed that a bye-law should be drafted bearing upon the buoying of anchors. Regarding the extension of the solid formation of the Goods Wharf, it was resolved to call for tenders for the work. The remainder of the report was adopted. — Accounts amounting to £114 were authorised for payment, and the meeting adjourned.