THE HARBOR BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 6211, 9 February 1883, Page 1

THE HARBOR BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the Harbor Sfrard was held yesterday; present—the Chairman (MrK. Ramsay), Messrs H. S. Fish.M.Hjß., A. H. Ross, R. Paterson, A. Burt, W, Bridgman, J. Mill, and H. Guthrie, /; CORRESPONDENCE. Messrs Dalgety and Co. wrote asking that an inquiry should be made into the cause of the collision of the ship Philomene with-the American brig Motley while the former was in charge of one of the Board's pilots. The writers stated that the Board would be held responsible for the damage occasioned.— Messrs Stewart and Denniston wrote*in a similar strain on behalf of the captain of the brig.—Both communications were referred to the Works Committee. With regard to the complaint regarding the Ocean Ranger, made by the master,.Mr H. Abbot, a memo, from the Harbor-master was read. The latter stated that there must be some mistake in the statement that a public notice was posted in the Harbor Office, Mauritius, signed by the Dunedin Harbor-master, to the effect that there was 18ft of water up to Dunedin. No such notice had been issued from this office to his knowledge. Received. Mr F. Crowder, of Port Chalmers, wrote as follows ;— " I take the liberty of addressing you this letter, in the hope that you will accept the suggestions I am about to offer re the, erection of the retaining-wall. In the first place I should recommend your Board to have the concrete blocks made not.lees not less than 100 ft in length, and from 15ft to 25ft in depth, according to the depth o the water, and not less than 30ft in breadth ; the blocks to be thoroughly dovetailed to •' gether, as Nature has provided everything otherwise with the exception of manual labor. All the engineering skill that has been employed, in my humble opinion, has been employed quite unnecessarily, for what is required is a permanent retaining-wall. I shall in a future communication point out to your Board where I think all the mischief lies. In the meantime, lam thoroughly of opinion that all the suggestions that have emanated from the engineers you have employed will as yet prove of little avail. My theory of the concrete retaining structure is one that- will last for ages, and will require no supervision."—The letter was minuted as read. The secretary of the Dunedin Volunteer Fire Brigade applied for the use of the Board's electric light apparatus upon the occasion of their evening's entertainment at the Caledonian Grounds on the 23rd inst.— Granted. • , The secretary to the Auckland Harbor Board wrote requesting the Board's cooperation in the establishment of a humane society for New Zealand, in terms of his letter of the sth October.—Received. An application was forwarded by the Harbor-master, from the pilots in the Board's service, asking for an increase in their present salaries from L 22 8s 4d to L 25 a-month. In the case of Pilots Kelly, Paton, and Stevens, the Harbor-master recommended the applications to the favorable consideration of the Board. In the case of Pilot Moore he thought the present salary was sufficient for the office of assistant pilot, but recommended that the wages of the boatswain employed on the wharves should be raised from L 9 to LlO per month. Mr Fish moved that a reply be sent to the effect that the Board regret that they cannot comply with the request. He thought that such an application was extremely inopportune at the present moment. The Board's revenue was not sufficiently elastic to justify them in granting these increases, especially as, if they did so in one or two cases, they would have to do it all round. He thought they should not entertain any such applications unless there was a great disparity between what the applicant was receiving and what he should receive, as was the ease recently with their Engineer, Mr PtTKßsov spcoprlpfl the motion, not exactly for Mr Fish's reasons, but because he was against any increases whatever at the present time. Mr Mill moved that the matter be referred to the Finance Committee. He maintained that the reductions made some time ago were only meant to be temporary. After further discussion, Mr Mill's amendment was assented to.

The following letter was read from Mr Fermor Willson : May I take the liberty of laying before you another scheme for the improvement of the entrance to the harbor, embracing the removal of the bar entirely inland, the removal of so much of the spit opposite Harrington Point as will admit some 40,000,000 tons more water to enter the harbor each tide, and the formation of a straight channel 136 chains long, and at least 1,056 ft wide; this to be maintained by. an embankment of a mile and a-quartcr in length, pre tected by huge blocks of concrete—those at the end weighing not less than 200 tons each, so there could be no fear of the most severe weather displacing them. " On plan C (which I have sent for your inspection, and by the return of which, unless yon approve this scheme, I should be obliged) you will find the lines of my deep channel marked in blue, between which and the "topof embankment" (brown) a sloping beach will be formed. My terms for this f cheme are L32,500—L8.000 to be paid on attaining 23ft on the bar at low tide (L 550 per extra foot), L 5.000 three months after that, £5,600 on completion of the work, L 4.000 three months later, and the balance at the rate of L 2,000 psr annum from completion of the works—which should be in twenty months from signing the contract—with L 550 per month fines for delay, or bonus for expedition. Umy terms are not a sufficient guarantee I am willing to submit the details of my plan of operations to any twelve or more engineers the Board can arrange to meet me on a public platform. I would satisfy them that there is not the slightest danger of my interfering with the navigation ; that from the very first commencement my work must have a beneficial effect on the bar; and that when I have once deepened .it there is no possibility of its ever re-forming; and, moreover (notwithstanding the lateness of the season), it the Board want the channel 23ft in three months, they can have it either by giving mo assistance or guaranteeing a bonus that will justify me in giving extra wages.—l have, etc., R. J. Fermor Wiusox. Mr Burt objected to the consideration of any plans save those of Mr Barr, unless the Board went further and again threw the matter open to the public for competition. Mr Fish thought the writer had been at some trouble in preparing plans, and perhaps the best way would be to refer the matter to their Engineer. The Board decided to adhere to their former resolution, and the letter was merely received. harbor-master's report. * The Harbor-master reported : 1. That the channel across the bar still maintained a depth of 18ft at the mean low-water level. The s.s. Hauroto, drawing 20ft, passed in that morning (7th inst.) in the dark, on the first quarter ebb. 2. The ship Philomene (Pilot Kelly in charge), when coming alongside the railway pier on the 2nd inst., while a fresh N.E. wind was" blowing, ran into the American hrigantinc Motley, carrying away her own jibbooni and doing considerable damage to the Motley. On inquiry, he found that the cause was Pilot Kelly not having perfected his arrangements for the work he had on hand, in so far as no boat was in readiness to run a hawser to the pier in order to check the vessel, which had so much way on that the tug alongside was powerless to prevent the collision. The non-removal of the ship Oamani from the lower berth at the pier, which in his opinion the railway authorities should have attended to, also contributed to the accident. The picrmaster could not be blamed for the neglect, as he had always seemed to be quite free to carry out his own plans in berthing vessels. He held, however, that the railway authorities should not have it in their power to place the Harbor Board's servants under difficulties in carrying out their work. The Harbormaster should be the only responsible officer in directin*- all matter pertaining to the shipping in tha harbor, whether at railway piers or elsewhere. 3. The cross wharf at the steamers' basin, Dunedin, was exposed to a comparatively heavy sea during strong N.E. winds, causing small vessels to bump heavily on the wharf, thereby starting the fastenings of the same and otherwise injuring them. To avoid this he would recommend that a wave-screen should be moored across the basin between the two upper dolphins, and reaching within 200 ft of the wharf on each side. A screen made of two 16in square Oregon pine logs secured together would be quite sufficient to break the se.% and keep the water in the steamers' basin quite smooth. The returns of shipping for the month were as follows :—lnwards : Foreign—B vessels, 4,009 tons ; intercolonial—ll vessels, 8,531 tons; coastwise—74 vessels, 13,148 tons; total, 93 vessels, representing 25,688 tons. Outwards: Foreign-6 vessels, 5,132 tons ; intercolonial—ls vessels, 10,961 tohst coastwise— 71 vessels, 14,261 tons ; total, 82 vessels, 30,854 tons. Mr Fish thought that the report -.iforew out some valuable suggestions as to the control of the shipping. The Harbor-master should certainly have the superintendence of the movements of all shipping in the harbor. Mr Ross said that he had such power by the Act, and Mr Mill concurred in that statement.

WORKS COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The Works Committee reported as follows : Your Committee have to report on remits as follows : Signalmastcr's House at the Heads.—Referred to the Engineer to examine the state of the house, and to effect any necessary repairs. Captain Falconer's Letter re his Vessel (the Martha Heid).—Referred to the Engineer for his report. Report attached. Engineer for Working Railways' Letter re Charges connected with Crossing of Railway with Mateiial from Logan Point Quarry.—Charges agreed to. Damage to Johann Adolph's Hawser.—Agreed to be eettled for L7los. J. M'Donald's Letter.—Resolved that no further action be taken, the Engineer having inquired into the matter. Tenders for Reclamation, and for Docking or Slipping and Repairing Punts.—Tenders duo this da3\ A bonus of LlO per week for completion of bloik A within contract time, and a like penalty for overtime, was provided in specification; also an additional clause relating to material and arrangement* with tho Government. On application of the signal-master at the Heads, the Chairman and Harbor-master have been authorised to purchase a superior telescope for the station. Boat for the lona.—As required ty law, a boat has been ordered to be provided for this Bteamer. The report was adopted. engineer's report. The Engineer reported as follows: — The works during January have to a considerable extent been affected by extensive repairs necessary to the various dredges and steamers, and also to a small extent by the holidays. A summary of the dredging is as follows : Dredge 222, Bar, 3,799 cubic yards Do Port Chalmers, 4,821 „ „ 8,020 a'* average rate of 9d per cubic yard for dredging and deposit. „ , Cost Cubic Cost dredg- — yds. dredging, ing and deposit. Vulcan—Victoria Channel 6,453 7d Is 34d New Era do .. 4,818 Bijd Is 5Jd Side Dredge—Approach to Stuart street .. . 3,888 ijd Is ljd The first part of the shoal opposite Ravensnourne has been cut through, and the remaining part of that will be done within the next fortnight. The New Era is working at the shoal near Burkes, and making steady progress ; but as the Vulcan is more adapted for the speedy clearance of these shoals, I propose putting her there, and bringing the New Era back to ?he steamers' basin as soon as possible. At present the operations are carried on under difficulties by feasor! 6! the long tow and deficient towing power. Half of the r/tfnts, and tho whole of the boxes under Messrs Doulby and -, Horftby's contract have been delivered Derrick No. 4'is now in operation, after being removed, and is discharging stuff into the reclamation area south of the dock. The bridge communicating with Logan Point has been repaired, and rail-laying is proceeding at other parts of the road. As fresh arrangements have been made whereby the mate of the Dredge 222 is withdrawn from that position to take command in moving the dredge instead of a pilot, it will be necessary to appoint another mate to f'oirg his dlhC6 The survey'of the bar has been continued during January, and the borings so far as practicable. I found it necessary to employ the large dredge for one day, as there is no other vessel steady enough. The boring, so far as gone, discloses at one part of the bar a hard stratum at depth of about 22ft below low water, but the work has not yet proceeded far enough to determine the exact nature or form of that material. To determine this it will be necessary to again employ the large dredge, and it is of the greatest importance that this should be done without delay, as all subsequent operations in connection with the bar improvement depend upon the character of this. If it should be a ridge of rock, we must ascertain its deepest and narrowest parts, and thereafter choose the most suitable place for going through it. It is just possible tbaVblasting, taken in hand without delay, might give gain of depth. . Messrs' Prjtchard' and Co. have failed to deliver up the waggons" borrowed by them from the Board in Such condition as' that they can be used without extensive repair. I decline to accept delivery, and therefore request authority to proceed against that firm to compel them to execute the necessary repairs. —I have, etc., George M. Barr, Engineer. The annual printed report of the Engineer was also laid upon the table. FINANCIAL. The bank book laid upon the table by the Secretary showed a debtor balance of L 22,992 13s. Accounts were passed for payment amounting to LI, 176 17s 2d. The balance-sheet asked for at the last meeting was also submitted to the Board. It shows the ordinary revenue for 1882 as L 28,102 19s 2d. Deducting from that assets from 1881, L 3,150 13s 3d, and adding assets of 1882, L 2.416 17s, gives a net revenue for 1882 of L 27,339 2s lid. The expenditure for 1882 charged against revenue is as follows :—Harbor-master's department, L 3.519 6s 3d ; office department, L 751 10s ; miscellaneous, L 765 18s od; repairs to sheds, wharves, and wharf cranes, L 63 14s Id ; interest, L 21,462 4s, leaving a credit balance towards paying off loan of L 476 10s 2d. The expenditure on works for the year shows: —Engineer's department, L 32,459 los lOd, from which, deducting repairs charged against revenue, L 63 14s Id, and adding proportion of office and miscellaneous expenditure, L 791 12s 6d, gives an expenditure chargeable against works of L 33,187 14s 3d, with an asset to be credited to works of L2OB 19s. The statement of the full revenue and expenditure of the Board from 1574 to 31st December, 1882, given separately, shows that the total money borrowed has been L 350.000, to which add premium obtained upon No. 1, L 3,370 4s 6d; expenditure engineer's department works, L 390.117 7s 8d ; to which add proportion of office expenditure, L 3.500, and miscellaneous expenditure, Ll2.2oo—making a total chargeable against works of L 405.817 7s Bd, and showing a balance due to revenue account of L 52.447 3s 2d. For the same period revenue is as follows : —Revenue received other than borrowed money, L 183.538 0s Bd, to which add balance due to the Colonial Bank, being difference between the credit at the London account and the debit at the Dunedin account, LI 1,711 5s sd; due deposit account, LISB 3s ; Sinking Fund account, L 80; bondholders' account, L 1,60 a total of L 197,087 9s Id, against which the following are the charges:—Office department, L 7,133 6s 8d ; miscellaneous expenses, interest, sinking fund, and bonds paid off, LIOI.OSB 2s 2d; harbor department, L36.41S 17s Id ; balance due from works account, L 52.447 3s 2d; total, L 197.087 9s Id. A CORRECTION. Mr Fish wished to corsect a statement which he had been reported to make at last meeting of the Board with respect to Mr Ross's motion. He was reported to have said that he objected to the motion as too expensive. The actual reasons he advanced were flhat he viewed with considerable alarm and doubt the project of stopping up the natural channel of the harbor by protective works unless they first got the best advice available in the United Kingdom. He could not help doubting whether they would be doing real good or injury to the harbor by tjhe construction of the proposed wall, and he therefore said that they should have obtained the opinion of Sir John Coode, which could be done at the expense of a month or so of delay. The only point was that the Chamber of Commerce had by a uninimouH vote aaked the Board to goon with the work without such advice, and on them must the n:Kpon«ibility therefore rest.