TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

Press, Volume XLIII, Issue 6547, 16 September 1886, Page 2

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

[By Tbleobaph.]

[Fat))! OUB OOBBKBPONDENT.] TIM ABU, September IS. Among the business transacted at the Harbor Board to-day waa the following :— The Harbor-master reported the arrival of twenty-nine vessels of the aggregate register tonnage of 7237 tons, and departures of thirty vessels of an aggregate register tonnage of 7650 tons. During the month the weather had been very unsettled with oc jasional heavy seas which caused a little delay in the despatch of vessels. Last week to avoid detention, the steamers in port ware granted the free use of the surf boats to discharge cargo, tho steamers to pay wages incurred iv working them. The recent rough weather has cleared away a great deal of marine growth off the wharf and breakwater and left a largo deposit of it on the bottom of the harbor near the inner berths of the wharf.

Captain Storm forwarded his resignation ac deputy harbor-master, as he was about to remove to Australia. The resignation was accepted conditionally; applications to j be invited for the post of assistant harbor-1 master at a salary of .£2OO per annum. The Engineer reported as follows:—"The extremely stormy weather which has continued almost uninterruptedly since last Board meeting, has entirely prevented work of any kind in connection with the construction of the breakwater from being carried on. During this time the breakwater has been subjected to the strokes of waves of a-vM-uce and continuance said to be unpre< cv, nted here. No damage to the perma'Dtti..G work of any consequence h»3 resulted therefrom. The two green monoliths at the end of the work, whioh were cracked by the waves before the concrete had thoroughly hardened, have since been broken by the sea, and a few of the foundation blocks displaced. It was ntcassary to use some random block protection in- places where the breaking waves were causing scour, but beyond this no extraordinary protective measures were required. I am of opinion that it is necessary that the whole of the first cant should be protected by a wave breaker of random blocks similar to that in use further out, also that a parapet wall should be built along that portion so as to shelter the wharf. I have estimated the cost of the works recommended, and I would ask the Board's authority to call for tenders for the supply of 200 cubic yards of large rubble blocks, so that they maybe avaiUole for use directly we require them. The beach ehingle we use for concrete has of late become so small that it will be necessary occasionally to us 9 more cement in it than has hitherto been done in the construction of the monoliths. I think also that the size of the man boles in the monoliths might be reduced with advantage, thus lessening the chances of a rupture should a heavy season occur before the concrete has thoroughly hardened. A3 we shall have to remove by blasting some of the concrete work upset at the end. of the breakwater, I recommend the Board to obtain ft firing battery for the purpose of exploding the charges by electricity. This method is much safer and more economic *1 for such a purpose than by the ordinary fuse." The Board considered the report ia Committee, and on resuming it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Moody, seconded by Mr Teschemaker—"That the.engineer be instructed to consult with the Finance Committee as to making arrangements for placing random blocks on the south side of the breakwater; also as to the plan of a parapet, and its construction j now or at the end of the present contract, and the increased quantity of cement in monoliths, and also 200 yards of rubble." The following «a3 the revenue for the month— £567 10s 10d; harbor charges, £359 7e—total, .£926 17s 10d. Tenders were opened for the supply of 8000 cask 3of cement, and that of O. W. Turner, at £3 lie 3d per ton, was accepted. Mr Acton, during the meeting, said the Board wonld remember that the barque Matanra had taken a cargo ef frozen meat from Timaru, and that a portion had been found to be damaged when the vessel reached England. Tne Refrigerating Company had received information as to the cause of the accident, whioh the engineer had stated to be through the bilge valve being left open. The result of tie accident was that the morning after leaving the port it waa found that Sift of water was in the hold.