HARBOUR BOARD.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12591, 6 September 1906, Page 9

HARBOUR BOARD.

THE CANAL SCHEME. THE KYGLISbTfIRSI'S OFFER. The Lyttelton Harbour Board met yesterday. Present—Slessrs F. Waymouth (chairman), J. Brown, A. Kayc, .J. Lambie, H. Friedlander, F. Gral ham, J. Richardson, I. Gibbs, G. J. Smith, R. Sioore, C. Cook, D. Rutherford, J. Anderson, J. Wolfe, and the Mayor of Lyttelton. Tho Chairman stated that since : tho last meeting the following sums j had been paid into tho harbour fund account:—Wharfage £1964 Os fid, ! pilotage and port charges £1309 2s 3d, toivngo, berthage, storage, etc., £701 Ss la, total £3t1?4 lt>s tnl, as against £3851 13s Gd for tho corresponding period last year. The current account i was in credit £3571 12« Bd. j REPORTS. The engineer's report on works was ! adopted. Tno Harbour Improvement CommitI too recommended that the matter ot j the disposal of the tug Lyttelton bo J deferred until the Board receive advice from Home in regard to the building of tho new tug. The committee had sot np tho following threo subi committees:—To consider and report lon the financial Question, with power to employ an accountant, the* Chairman. Slessrs A. Kayo, G. 0. Smith, and 1. Gibbs; to report on the rating area and districts to bo rated, the Chairman, Messrs R. Moore, F. Graham, and H. Friedlander; to consult local bodies and ratepayers, the Chiirman, Mes3r3 H. Friedlander, R. Moore, J. Lambie, and J. Richardson. The subcommittees had been requested to report to the Harbour Improvement , Committee within two months. Messrs Graham, Richa-idson and Friedlander were added to the first eub-comuiittee. in regard to the canal j scheme, and Me,esr.-> Rutherford, Gibbs, and Cook to the second sub-comniittec. Tho report was then adopted. A report from the -Accident Insurance Committee was considered in committee and adopted. Sir Sioore had given notice to move to rescind tho resolution proposing to transfer the headquarters of the Board to Lyttelton. There wero several members absent, however, and the motion was allowed to stand over till next meeting.

I Reports from the engineer and harbourmaster in reference to ths alleged grounding of the steamer Twceddale, alongside No. o jetty, were received. THE CANAL SCHEME. In regard to the canal scheme, the High Commissioner wrote from London enclosing copy of the following letter from Messrs Coode, Son, and Matthews: "Wo shall be quite prepaiou to tune up the investigation ot tne harbour questions at Lyttelton and Chriatehuroi, to which reference is made in the printed memorandum at hand with your letter and in tho plans attached thereto. In tho event of the following proposal's being approved our partner, Air M. F. G. Wilson, M.1.C.E., would personally visit Christchurch where, after conferring with tho Harbour Board and the authorities interested, ho would arrange with tho engineer to the Board for tho preparation of such data and particulars as might appear to him to be necessary for the proper consideration of the subject after his return home, and for tho preparation of such, report, plans and estimates, as might bo required in connection) therewith. Payment to bo made to ua for Mr Wilson's professional services during the -time of his absence from England, vis., on tho voyages out and home, and whilst in the colony engaged on this work, at the rate of 70 guinaas par week. "It is difficult to estimale tho expenditure required in. travelling and other expenses, which would bo incurred by Mr Wilson, between the dato of his leaving England and his return hero. We consider, however, that about . £.450 would be a reasonable figure to put down te cover the same. Wo propose to charge the actual expenses incurred. For the preparation jof our report after Sir Wilson's return here, and when we have been supplied ! with such local data and information aa may he arranged for by him when iin the colony, payment would be made Jon the usual scale, dependent on tho time occupied by our staff hore and tho extenlt of the services rendered, together with such slight charges as may ba incurred prior te Sir Wilson's departure. It is assumed in tho foregoing that tho cost of the preparation of the data to 'bo furnished by the engineering department of the Lyttelton Harbour Board,- or other responsible autho« . rity, would be 'borne by tho Harbour i Board, and would not come into our i account. In the event of any dispute arising between the Harbour Board and I ouiGolvcs, as to our charges on the comI pletion of tho investigation and report, i wo should be quite prepared, if desired, ito allow tho same to bo decided either by tho president of the Institution ot Civil Engineers for the time being, or by someone appointed hy him, or, if 1 preferred, by a person nominated by the President of the Board of Trade. We do not, however, apprehend that . such a contingency would arise. Sir j Wilson, has had great Experience in tho ; design and construction' of pea and dock works, and for the ten yeans prior 'to the entering into partnership with ius hero in January last, was superintending engineer in local charge of the National Harbour Works at Dover, 1 now being carried cut for the Adj miralty under our direction as chief , engineers. It would bo a convenience j to us, in view of other arrangements in contemplation, if the foregoing particulars were telegraphed to the colony, and n reply thereto forwarded also by telegraph, so that we may be made acquainted with tho decision which ! has been arrived at as early as convenient. Wo trust the foregoing proI posals may he deemed satisfactory. Should you desire any further information prior to despatching your telegram, wo shall bo glad to furnish the came upon hearing from you to that effect. In* the event of tho above arrengements being approved, Sir Wilson would arrive at Lyttelton early in l December next.

Sir Kayo said it was evident that

a reply was required within a reasonable time, and therefore the offer of tho engineer should bo either accepted or declined. He had no wish to take a catch vote, however, and as several members who took a keen interest in the matter were attending te their duties in Parliament he moved that a special meeting should be hod on Slonday next to deal with, the whele question. Sir Smith seconded tho motion. Sir Sioore questioned if the motion was in order, in view of tho resolution already passed. Tlie Chairman pointed out that it had only been decided to reply to the engineers as early as possible. Therefore, ho did not think notice of the motion was necessary from Sir Kayo. Sir FrieAlander thought that no action could be taken,, pending the report of the sub-committees appointed. Tho Chairman ruled that it would be in order to accept Mr Kayee mo-

tion, , , . , . Mr Friedlander, ihontfi not wishine to obstruct the scheme, thought it would be waste tin:e to heM a special meeting irntil the reports from the sub-committees had been obtained. Other members having spoken to like effect, Mr Kayo said the letter clearly intimated that tho offer was open only for a limited period. Tho expert desired to be out here by December, and they ought either to accept or refuse the offer. The Board desired to ascertaim the feasibility of a canal as against the extension, of works at Lyttelton ; it was not a question of deciding tliat the canal should bo con-

structed. Tbe 6ub-committees would probably take two or three months to report fully. Tlie motion was lest by four votes to eleven. It was decided to inform Slessrs Coodo. Son, and Slatthews, through the High Commissioner, tliat a reply to their offer would be sent in November. GENERAL. In reference to the necessity for a fog horn for Lyttelton, a letter from tho Hcnit. J. A. Millar waa received, stating that the question would receive careful consideration when the Public Works Estimates fer the coming year were being framed.—The letter was received. Sir Webb stated that tho wharfage rates on small parcels were too high, and ho moved that the matter bo referred to the Harbour Improvement Committee to report.—The motion was carried.