HARBOUR BOARD.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19080, 16 August 1927, Page 11

HARBOUR BOARD.

♦— — ' PROPOSED EXPENDITURE POSTPONED. ENGINEER'S RETIREMENT. A special meeting of the Lyttelton Harbour Board was held yesterday. Present: Messrs 11. Galbraith (chairman), F. Horrcll, W. T. Lester, W.-'.G. Gallagher, Jas. Storry, J. R. Hayward, H. Holland, M.P., 11. J. Miller, W. J. Walter, H. T. Armstrong, M.P., Hon. Mr Moore, and Captain 11. Monro. Leave of absence was granted Mr E. J. Howard, M.P. The purposes for which the meeting was called were: (1) The consideration of a memorandum from Mr Cyrus J. R. Williams, secretary, treasurer, and engineer, regarding financo and proposed expenditure on harbour "improve-ment-a.nd equipment, a'question arising out of this memorandum being whether the proposed expenditure should be met by loan, or by re-imposing the harbour improvement rate; and (2) a memorandum • from the same officer regarding his proximate retirement ffom the Board's service. - t The chairman said: that both matters were of great importance, and he desired to know if it would not give opportunity for a fuller discussion and criticism if thtfy went'iaito committee. On the motion of Mr Lester, seconded by Mr Hayward, it was decided to go into committee.

Financial Proposals. The memorandum set out' that no special provision had been made to meet the capital expenditure in the reconstruction, enlargement, and alteration of No. 3 jetty, .and for the installation of cranes and capstans on Gladstone pier. No. 3 Jetty—Estimated cost, £60,000, of which £23,000 to be provided from the special renewal fund, leaving for reconstruction £37,000; and cranes for jetty £25,300. Cranes for Gladstone pier £25,300, and capstans £6500; total amount required, £94,000. This expenditure to be spread over three years, at the rate of about £30,000 per annum. If not considered advisable to borrow the money, a harbour improvement rate of Is per ton would produce, approximately, the sum required. In addition, No.' & jetty requires to be lengthened, widened for and equipped with cranes at. a Vost of £31,300; and the following works had been authorised:—Dock jetty, £12,000; dock crane, £12,000; 12-ton coaling crane, £15,000; and some provision would be neeessan' to increase the Board's dredging the total of these items (with the exception of the dredging improvement) is £70,300. After discussion, and on the Board resuming, it was reported that it had been resolved to.postpone .consideration of the matter for at least six months. Engineer's Eeirement. Mr Williams, in his memorandum, set out that with the approval of'the Board he proposed to retire from the offices he held on the presentation and passing of the accounts fori the year ending September 30th, 1927. If the Board, afterwards, desired to avail- itself of his services as consulting engineer for a period of five years ; he would be glad to act on a 2-i per cent, commission on the Board's capital expenditure. On resuming after ictiscussion in committee, the chairman' reported that the following resolutions had been arrived at:— (1) "That the retirement of Mr Gyrus J. K. Williams as secretary, treasurer, and- engineer, take effect as from the close of the financial year, namely, September 30th, 1927, and, in appreciation.of his services to the Board, he be granted six months' leave of absence on full pay from that date; (2) that.he be thanked for theoffer of his services as consulting engineer, which tho Board may desire to avail itself of should occasion arise." "That this meeting recommend tho next meeting of the Board: 'That Mr P. VT. Fryer be appointed actingengineer, and Mr C. H. Clibborn actingseeretarv and treasurer, as from September SOtly 1927.'"