THE HARBOR BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 6316, 14 June 1883, Page 3

THE HARBOR BOARD.

The ordinaly meeting of the Haiiior Board, hold this afternoon, was attended by Messrs Fish, M lI.K. (chairman), A. Bint, A. 11. Ross, J. Mill, K. PatorEon A. J. Hums, and J. Barron. THE UN'.; UREDCiR. The following letter was read : Punedin, Juno 1-1. ISB.">. Set-imr by reports of the Board's meeting thai. tli<dredge No! i-'l lias not !iivi-ii s^tisfui-ticm in diwlgiiii: the bar, no have hern thinking for some time of making a i>ropo<it; i. r> the Board for altering the dredge m r.irilii.iv ''irying out our principle of operation, bv which we should be enabled to dred?e 24ft, or more if rr<iuircd, at low water, by 200 ft wide at the bottom. We are prepared to take tho whole of the responsibility of the alterations to dredge, and of dredging the channel 24ft deep at low water, for the sum of L 18,500. We do not deem it necessary to enter into details herein ; but ..should the Board receive this offer favorably, we are prepared to do bo *s the Board mav require.—We are, etc., Kl.\'l'All> AND M'QCKE.V. The Chairman Baid that the letter was a very important one. They all knew that Mr M'Queen was not a gentleman who indulged in ■viaionaiy speculation, but one who wrote with a full knowledge of the subject he bad in hand. Other members agreed as to the importance of the communication, and it was agreed to hold a special meeting of the Works Committee to-morrow to consider the offer.

THE BAR. Scott « KN > fc,lbraltted &»S:s; estion9 with respect to the deepening of the bar, from which we make the following extracts: —

Tho plans of the Board having been submitted for .Sir .John Coodc's decision, I wish to confine my remarks to his own arrangements, as embodying what jnu*t, i imagine, be considered to be " the most perfect plan " for cleanup; the liar, etc., and then to mention other simpler means which appear calculated to ob alntlie result arrived at far more quickly and at much less cost. The objections to the plans of walling (Sir J. Coode's) are:— . 1. That the harbor would be materially injured as a port of refuge (a want which increased commerce would soon render pressing), for tiie sharp yeour between the two walls would render it impossible on the ebb aud difficult on the flood for any disabled steamer or sailing vessel to enter at night. So narrow an entrance requires exact steerage, and, with a heavy sea astern, would render the ship running for shelter liable to be wrecked even in daylight. ". Thenarrownessof the channel off Harrington Point lessens the quantity of water which would otherwise How towards Port Chalmers, and although this conHtruction forces the wafer downwards, causing 1 it to Kcoon out a channel three times as deep as that outHide's il', this and other hindrances keep back the water, so that there is 2ft less rise in the Upper Harbor than at the Heads. 3. The walls of Sir John's plans would, I think, tend to still further lessen the amount of water reaching Port Chalmtrs aud the Upper Harbor; that is, if they successfully resisted the undermining of the sharp Bcour below, and the acion of the sea above them. 4. The ebb-tide, which now runs freely in a northerly direction, and allows the young flood to come in from tho south and eastward over the bar, would, I think, tend to check the tidal waves at thdr (the walls) entrance, and, loolin,' atftho long distance the water has to travel before the head of the Upper Harbor is reached, the narrowing of the entrance seems inadvisable. While the costly plan Of Sir J Coodo is under consideration I think a trial might be mado of the effect produced bv cutting back the sandbank opposite Harrington Point, which, as theßoard'sEngineerindieatcd, causes the deflection of the ebb in a northerly direction. I belie\ e a month's steady work with explosives, aided bv skilful sluicing, and the bit: dredge's assistance whenever unable to work on tho bar, would produce a considerable improvement at comparatively small cost. It might be urged that this bank would «»on re-form; but careful consideration, will, I think, show that the removal of the cau cs (supposing tho bank to be sand only) which have operated in its formation will preclude this ; and that tho opening out, through cutting a slightly concave curve,'would rather tend to gradual increase of width. This effect would be more likely here than in the case of tho other sand-bank projections, which are, I understand, to be removed in the Lower Harbor. ~.,,,. , s v.. Should rock underlie the sand at the leading light marks, it could be blown up without risk, for such debris would merely lessen the depth to a slight extent, and would tend to cause increase of width of channel opposite Harrington Point. The cutting away the sandbank mav not be a new suggestion, but it would, I believe, result in permanently deepening the bar channel, especially when aided by dredging the bar. It would also materially increase the amount at water flowing into the harbor, and thus facilitate the navigation of tho port. On the other hand, while turning the course of the ebb-'.ide in a more easterly direction, this cutting would not militate against the free inflow of the flood, but the contrary. Were a groin or short wall constructed from the point at which Sir J. Coode's wall is to start, I think the bar difficulty would bo entirely set at rest. Permit me in conclusion to point out that my fears as to Sir John's walls lessening the amount of inflow are not groundless ; for tho Board's Engineer, whilst necessarily following upon the lines of so highly esteemed an authority, has skilfully minimised the dangers I have ventured to indicate in his carefullydrawn plans.

The letter was referred to the Works Committee. REPORTS, The Works Committee reported, advising that the Board should disolaim any liability for repairs to the Lillie Denbam ; that the Board should agree to the proposal that the railway officers should do the loading, haulage, and unloading at Jetty street Bidingß, charging Is 6d per ton; that James Macarthur's tender for distributing at No. 3 derrick (4d per yard and 7d per box) had been accepted; that the Priestman dredge and dredge 222 had completed » berth 470 ft in length, capable of keeping hj float any vessel drawing V"ift; that a return had beo i prepared, showing the actual outlay on dredging at Port Chalmers dree January 1, lf'B2, to April 150, 18*3, from which it would bo seen that the working expenses and stores, with 10 per cent, for interest on cost of plant and allowanoe for depreciation added, amounted to L 10.371 lis. This is irrespective of outlay in connection with the bjr. Vessels of much larger tonnage and greater draught of water being noy able to come up tho Victoria channel than can lie afloat at thoDunedin wharves, the rriestrran'a crane, when relieved at Port Chalmers, had been ordered to deepen a berfb at the t'attray street yharf to at least 16ft. The chairman had been directed to have an interview with the 3overnmenton the subject of tho maintenance of the road at the cross wharf, atd to endeavor to arrive at sot.e equitable arrangement for joint action In its proper construction and maintenance.' The two senior officers of dredge 222 had been informed that much dissatisfaction had been felt in regard to the quantity of work done by the dredge, but before deciding on any sweeping alteration three months' longer trial Will be given, ly was recommended that the sscond mate and one fireman be dispensed wi'h", and that the captain's wage's be at the same rate as those of the master of the Vulcan ; also that all present appointments be confirmed, and that it be a general instruction to recognise the services of old officers in fresh appointments. Instructions had also been given that as soon as dredge '222 has completed the berth for the Ibnto. she is to be kept entirely at the ba*\ and

on the former instructions as to workirg her at any time whon it is poasibla to do so. The Harbor-master reported that no change had taken place in the of water on tho bar, and that three vessels drawing 19Jft and one drawing 21ft enteral the port during the month. There was now telephonic communication established between Cape Saunders and the Port, and the advantage of it had been muoh felt already. But for the earthwork and large stones from the George strtet wharf at Port Cha!meis fi b'ng-in to the cuting being made for the s.s : lonic, the beith would have been ready for that vessel now. However, he was hopetul that it might yet be ready in time. The pilots had taken soundings in the V.ctona channel, and reported that in the grea + . extent of channel there was from 16.t to 20ft at low water, except at three places, whp.r* there was 12ft. The Jasper, diawtez L3ft 3in, passed up through i* after the tide had fallen 2ft 5 and the CamUe, drawing 14ft, had passed down at high water. The burning of the railway goods shed suggested the necessity of the Boaid havirg at leaßt 200 ft of hose on the ready for use, and of tjie fire-plugs being kept open Inferring to the de »th of James Dick, boatswain at Port Chab rtaew, Captain Thomson reported that ho had caused tho funeral arrangements to be iriado at the expense of the Board JVwaMjd left a wife and seven children, who had a titrong claim on the liberality of the Board, their bread winner having lost his lifo when on duty in thy Board's service. The Finance Committee brou'/ht bnfore the Board proposed regulations with re.fererco to landing-stages, pilotage rates, Upper Harbor charges, and towaze charges. The Engineer (Mr G M Barr) reported, nitn' (did,- — 1, 1 have on Beveral occasions inc'udid sums in tha estimates of works in the Upper Harbor for widening parts to7o'tand deepening to 14ft at low water. Tho particular parts which hav* been narrow in the neighborhood oi pile 17 have been in that condition fince 1881, when the channel was originally dredged anc before J was in office as your Engineer. Thej 30071 to bo the result of bad. dradging oi &relesfr'm'*asubment;, l and'l believe their cpn dition was then pointed out to the then m •pector of works, who directed the 4 edge roaster not to trouble with them at that t me It has been my intention all along since takwj office to have the channel made of unborn width from end to end ; but it has always ap peared to me that the first pirts to be taken ii band were those shoals which seriously impede, navigation, and then attend to other parts Now that theso bank? have been re duced the widening of these places wouh naturally have been attended to in carry ing out my programme If it is resolvei to commence the preliminaries for the training Fjtfl »t.tb/e Beads, ffre fjr.t stgp to be takei VOttld be the driving of tunnels into the roe and the firing of several large bl-sts. Thi

lv r.o much done f jrrarrb thn an.l svi.ulil give intending contractors a tlhtioiigli insight; to the character of thealone and the prohibit? cost <>'.' .netting it. I iiu not think the construction ut the uppioaeh railway would !.»« of any great i-ain at present, an this could be done by thocontractor for the main work while he was getting his tinher Lrward. If any material, however, had to bo cleared away while the blasting was going on. then it should bi placed so aa to suit the railway. If the blasting be undertaken the tunnels necessary could be contracted for at per lineal foot.

jLeft witting, j