The New Mole.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 114, 28 February 1901, Page 3

The New Mole.

The Standing Committee of the J’imaru Harbour Board reported as follows at Tuesday’s moating:—The Standing Committee have to report that they entered into peaceable possession of the breakwater extension works on January 22nd, and immediately took the necessary steps to . proceed with the works with vigour. They found themselves at one considerably hampered for want of rails, locomotives and other plant, and it became necessary to make good the deficiencies. Arrangements were made w.th the Nationil Mortgage and A coney Company to take over the ti nber ordered by the contractors. An order bad been cabled to London for 90 cons of rails, wich necessary fastenings; also, for two 30-ton hydraulic lifdag and traversing jacks for special lifts in the event of the cranes or locomotives getting off the rails, etc. An order has also been cabled to Melbourne for early delivery of fishplates, fishbolts and spikes for immediate requirements. A large amount of other plant has also been purchased. A locomotive has hem purchased for £IO3O, apl the Committee are in treaty for the purchase of a second locomotive of equal power ; also for the purchase, of 65 tons of 401 b rails. Temporal y arrangements were make with the Railway Department for the hire of a locomotive, pending delivery of the locomotive purchased by the Committee.

A'report on the work clone was rrce’ml from Mi- G. P. Williams, M.1.C.8. (This has already been published in full in these columns.) Mr Dobson, Engineer to the Boa!- 1 , handed in a reply to the report of Mr Williams, still maintaining that the contractors had not done as much as might have been done. Neither the contractors nor Mr Williams appeared to have any conception of the work-to be done or of the preparations required to be made for carrying it on. Messrs Smithson and E. tymond wrote on January 23rd that Messrs Black and Stumbles had instructed them to act for them, and they gave notice of protest against the Board’s action, and of their refusal to acquiesce in the determination of the contract. Messrs Black and Stumbles were arranging to have the whole of the works inspected by their engineers. Meanwhile the Board is warned not in any way to interfere with the works.

Mr Rawson, Engineer to the Otago Harbour Board, engaged by the Timaru Board to report, did not think the ballasting of the line and other work done was sufficient. He attached an estimate of the work done by the contractors and the plant, material and rolling stock taken over by the Board. This leaves a balance in their favour, after deducting payments tna le, of £331712s 10d, should the Board decide to so deal with them. Mes.irs Smithson and Raymond, solicitors for Messrs Black and Stumbles, wrote as follows:-- “ Since oar letter to the Board’s secretary of January 23rd was written,'our clients have had the eastern mole extension contract work performed by them inspected by competent engineers and measured up. It is unnecessary for us to say anything more than that it affords.a refutation to the charges which were levelled against our cl’® its, and upon which the Board deemed itself justified in determining its con tract with them.. Our clients’ present instructions are not at this juncture to.discuss the merits of the Board’s act, but to make certain .proposals to the Board, with a vievy to the settlement without litigation of their just and reasonable claims.”

On the motion ,of Mr Young, seconded by Mr Turnbull, it was resolved that the Secretary shoulc meet the representatives* of Messrs Blaqk and Stumbles to try aric arrange, a settlement* he' tp reporl toft tte Boarc