NAPIER HARBOUR BOARD.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3192, 21 September 1881, Page 2

NAPIER HARBOUR BOARD.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21. The Board met at 2.30 p.m. Present : Messrs (Jrmond (in the chair), Smith, Grleadow, Vautier, Tanner, Miller, Williams, and Kinross. CORUESPONDENCIi. From the Napier Town Clerk, accepting the Board's offer of the use of a piece of land for the deposit ot nightsoil, &c. From the Marine Department, applying for a return of the Board's endowments, showing their value at the time they were granted and at the present time.—Tbe secretary stated that he had forwarded the information required. From the Colonial Under-Seeretary, applying for a return showing the indebtedness of the Board and the value of the endowments.— The secretary stated that he had forwarded the return. From Mr Ormond (from Wellington) suggesting; that the Board should formally determine the scheme for depositing material raised by the proposed dredging works before applying to the Government for the necessary sanction to that scheme. From the Harbor-master, stating that the moorings in tbe bay required overhauling, and recommending that certain portions of chain be removed and replaced with good chain. Pilot Kraeft added that the buoy on the Pania Reef required overhauling and fresh painting, and that the greatest draught of water at which he could bring in a vessel was 11 feet.—lt was decided to authorise the Harbor-master to have the work done. From Mr M'Cormicb, applying for a transfer of certificate from Captain

Do well to Captain Moloney. —Agreed to From Mr ,tohn Hindrfiareb, applyiflg on behalf of the Hawke's Bay Sailing Club for permission to lay down buoys in the inner harbor to mark channels and hanks.— Agreed to, subject to the Harlor-master's approval. DREDGING. After hearing a statement from the Inspector of Woiks relative to the pro- V posed dredging operation?, Mr Smith ' moved, " That tha report and plan of works in the inner harbor of Napier pro- ; posed to be undertaken be cent to Wellington for approval as required by the Marine Act, and that. the plans and descriptive memorandum relating to the deposit of material to be obtained by dredging in carrying out the proposed works be also cent for the Governor's assent." Captain Gleadow seconded the motion, which was carried. The Inspector reported that the dredge had arrived in good condition, and suggested that some old rails should be obtained from the Railway Department for the purpose of removing the material brought up by the dredge THE TIDAL WALL. The following correspondence between Mr Ormond and the Minister of Public Works was read : — Mr Ormond to the Minister for Public Works. Eeferring to former correspondence, it waa found on completion of the Ahuriri bridge., that the approaches made to that structure had seriously interfered with the scour of the tidal waters along the breastwork at which the vessels trading to the port of Napier discharge. The Government then agreed to assist in remedying the effects of the work, which, hod. been constructed under their management, and on the advice of the . marine engineer a tidal wall was constructed, which was to be paid for partly by the Gov- ' - eminent and partly by the Harbor Board. This wall has now been completed, and I regret to say the effect has been rather to increase the deposit of silt at the breastwork 7 than to remedy it. I now enclose two reports by the Clerk of Works to the Harbor Board at Napier—one on the tidal wall to which I have referred, and the other suggesting other measures for remedying the deposit of silt at the breastwork. I have to ask, on the part of the Board, that the Government will be good enough to take the opinion of the marine engineer on the plan proposed by Mr Saunders, and inform the Board whether that plan or what part of it is approved by the Government, and also whether, under the circumstances, and considering that the deposit at the breastwork has been mainly tcaused by the works constructed by the \ Government, the expense of remedying the injury to the port will be borne by the colony, or, if not all, what portion of such expense. —I have, &c, J. D. Oemond, Chairman Napier Harbor Board, Memorandum by Mr Blaokett upon Mr Ormond's letter. I think the remarks of the Chairman of the Napier Harbor Board tend to convey an impression, scarcely in accordance with the facts of the case : this is in reference to the deposit of sand, etc., in the shape of a bank against the breastwork immediately behind the Port Ahuriri traffic bridge. This bank, I believe, existed before the erection of the bridge, and is due probably to the shape of the shore line formed by the breastwork and the pitched slopes above it. These form an angle with each other, and this angle tends to deflect the ebb current of the Tutaekuri westwards, and promote the deposit of sand at the south end of the breastwork. The approaches of the bridge, built above this angle, but not projecting beyond it, may have caused, but in a very slight degree, an additional tendency.to silt up below it; but according to the latest reports on the subject the bank of silt has not accumulated, but has been by the action of the scour (caused by the building of the training wall, still incomplete) considerably reduced in size. The plan submitted by the Inspector of Works, and now submitted for my opinion, would most probably have a beneficial effect in reducing if not removing the sandbank, and, if funds are available, is worth a trial; but the woik should -be carried out in.conjunction with the finishing of the stone training wall, which is yet incomplete. Its completion would probably cost £500, and a portion of the work proposed by the Inspector, viz., A. to 8., is estimated to cost about £600, amounting together to say £1100, or say £1200 in all. The work from A to B should in my opinion be made of stakes and fascines, &c, as proposed, being in the nature of a trial, which, if successful, might hereafter be made more substantial. * The other portion of the proposed work, 0 J to D, I do not recommend at present, but should defer its execution until the effect of the other work is apparent. A fair apportionment of the expense of any work might be one-half to each—Government and Harbor Board. John Biackett. Mγ Vautier moved, " The Board is of opinion that the training wall recommended by Mr Saunders in his report of the 4th of August and shown on the plan marked from A to B, and which the marine engineer reports favorably upon ia his memorandum dated the Bth of September, 1881, be given effect to; the work to be carried out as proposed by > fascine?, and the Government asked to contribute one-halt of the cost, as suggested by Mr Blackett." The motion was seconded by Mr Smith, and carried. FINANCE. The Secretary reported that there was an overdraft at the bank of £688 Iβ sd, after remitting £2600 to England for the -. payment of the half-yearly interest on the harbor loan. After some discussion upon the Board's deposit account of £10,000, the consideration of the matter was postponed until next meeting. Accounts were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned.