HARBOUR BOARD.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11111, 1 November 1901, Page 7

HARBOUR BOARD.

An ordinary meeting of the Xyttelton lfprbour Board was held yesterday. Present—Messrs F. Waymouth (chairman), F. Graham, («. Lanren«on, J. Connal, A. Knye, R. Pitcaithly, Captain McClatchie, jusd the Mayor of Lyttelton. The Chairman snid: —"As yen are aware I returned from my visit to Australia immediately after the Board's last meeting. i may . gay that Avhilst 1 was there I availed aiyself oi every opportunity of irtudving the several systems Avhieh prevail *>n regard to the Avork'mg of harbours in conjunction v.-ith the railway, and also in respect of the Averiiing facilities which exist in connection Avith the same, and I propose to place before the Harbour Improvement Committt'fc, at their next meetiog, to be held on Thursday, November 14th next, the result of my observations and enquiries. As some unfavourable references have recently appeared in regard to our dredging operations, I think I am juf-tificd in repeating what has been reported at several of our previous meetings, nanielv, the information relating to the amount of dredging work done in Lyttelton since Jamiarv last. This month, up to last night, 57,C00 tons of mud avcto removed. Dnvin-* the ten months ending to-day tons of mud have been dredged in the inner harbour, chiefly from tbe approaches to all the Avharves "to the ■westward of No. 2 Jetty. The approach to No. 2 Jetty has been deepened from 18ft and 19ft to a depth of 25ft at low water. .&<» dredge that we have previously employed at Lyttelton has done so large "au amount of work within a period c' ten "month*. Dredge 222, when under charter to us in lS9b, dredged 371,350 tons during the twelve months. I think you will agree with mc that we aro to be conjnafculated upon our dredging operations, aud in having a dredge and dredging staff capable of doing such good work. I do not, intend to forestall the information which will be afforded you at our annual tr-ceting, but I may say that the cost of our dredging operations will compare favourably with those of any previous period. For instance, the working expenses for last month averaged 2 l-3rdd per ton, or 3 V3rdd per cubic yard, exclusive of the interest on the cost of our dredge." A report was read with reference to the damage caused by the Paparoa to a pile of No. 7 Jetty. The harbourmaster reported that the accident was caused by a sudden sauall from tho S.W- The report avhs adopted. The report of the Sailors' Home ComtnittM, recommending an advance in the *3lary of Captain Owen, was agreed to. The Chairman reported what had been done with regard to the reception of the Discovery. It had been arranged that any further action in the matter should stand over till after the Carnival Week.

A letter Avas received from the Marine Department, stating that the question of the strip of beach which the Sumner Borough Council Avish to obtain jurisdiction over had been referred to the Department of Lands and Survey.

The Lyttelton Borough Council wrote asking permission to take shells from Charteris Bay, to be used in connection Avith the .works of tbe town.

Mr Connol did not think the permission should be given, as the beach in the bay being a very small one they would soon have it denuded of shells. He therefore moved, "That the request be declined." The motion Ajas not seconded, and after seme discussion it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Koye, that permission be given as asked, the removal of shells to be under the supervision of the harbourmaster.

The Board dealt in Committee with the new offers received from various companies re accident insurance.

The Board then adjourned.