GREYMOUTH HARBOUR BOARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 May 1906, Page 4

GREYMOUTH HARBOUR BOARD

At tiro usual meeting yesterday afternoon, there were present" Messrs' Russell (ehair), Harris, Rowater and (iiiiniiess.

KXCI.NEER’S REPORT. The Engineer's repurl was read and adopted as follows :

‘1 have the honor to report as follows

"North Jireakwater.--The heavy sea on Tuesday, StJt insl., did some damage to the staging. Three piles were broken itf. tine on the north side of bay *l6 and two in bay 4d. The inner pile in bay 12 was spiit, but can be repaired. "The derriek and out riggers Were washed up on the beach. The former being of white pine and live years old was useless, and has been cut up to save the ironwork.

" The damage .making an allowance for the derrick, would be under AJIOO. Repairs are in band, and the head earpen ter's report to me giving details is attached.

Quarry.- Work has been kept bac kby the wet weather, Tor eight days, : n eluding holiday's, no work was done >l ll r ing tile month. Tin* drive is in Ti feet. "Dredging. - The new punt is in pro gress. 76b ions of sbioc.de wen' shilled No work eoiial ie'do.e nit seven days, owing to tlie Hoods in the river and diliienlty ot carrying on dredging caused by the quantity of shipping in port. The Hoods caused a considerable accumulation of shingle to take place where the larger vessels were berthed. Consequently, the dredge has been shifted to the shoal ground below No 2 hvdranlie crane'.’’ .MORE WHARF ACCOMMODATION. Tim Harbourmaster, in a special report, wrote :-

"I have the -honour to report that (he steamers Kaituna, Kini and Retone arrived in this port on May sth. All iho berthage at the wharves was occupied by loaded vessels; consequently the Mini and Kaituna had to berth second off outside loaded steamers, drawing 16 fec’t. The i’ctone had to berth at the Cattle \\ barf. There was considerable fresh in the river and the loaded steamers wore unable to swing, so there was a complete block. The Kaituna had to lay second off for twentyfour hours, although she is (lie largest vessel that has visited this port. Tito Kim lay second off for two days with an eightknot current, her steam up and engines going ahead for safety. The Reton'o at at the Cattle Wharf was not safe, as the wharf is over twenty years old and built of second-class timber (lurch) for cattle boats. Had the frcsli increased, and any I timber floated down a serious accident would have occurred. Several years ago tile Kini was berthed at the upper rrano with the Dingadee -outside. About thirty feet of the wharf decking was destroyed, and (lie iron rods staying the wharf were broken. Roth steamers were in ballast. I may stale that it this state of affairs continues, the steamers will lie compelled to wait outside, as it will he too riskv to trust to freshes in future. It would appear as if the safety of the shipping is the last tiling considered liy officials not responsible for working the port. “The need of more wharfage accommodation is urgent. If the Engineer cannot recommend the upstream wharf, will they point out a better site? Mr Hales, the late Engineer-in-Chief, staled some few years ago that there was no objection to the up-stream wharf, provided it was not sheath-piled, which there would bo no necessity to do. “During Hie past five years the trade of tlie port has quadrupled, and the steamers arc twice as large as formerly, but only one berth has been constructed, and the wharf now being tendered for only | provides another. Tlie s.s. Kaituna is 290 ft overall, and her mooring Jakes another 100 ft of wharfage. The Taieri, Karitane and Pukaki (all regular traders) are all over 250 ft.”

In reply to a question, Captain Connor said his statement to “officials not responsible for the port,” referred to the persons in charge of the wharf. The wharf was, ho said, in a rotten state between tlie two hydraulic cranes. It was not safe for an engine to go over it, yet ; ships had to be moored to it. Additional wharfage accommodation was urgently required. Trade had increased, yet the same wharf remains as was there thirteen years ago. There were numerous blocks; they were all against the trade ot the port. " ' ■ ‘

Mr Guinness thought‘the matter should bo dealt with very expeditiously. Mr T.- Ronavhe, General Manager of Now . Zealand 'Railways, wrote as follows :—. “With, reference to the scheme, fox. the improvement of The facilities for dealing with the shipping business at Greymouth, referred lo m my interview with the Board, I. have the honor to inform you that it is essential that tho repairs to the existing wharves, which are estimated to cost £12,600, should no longer be deferred,: arid instructions are being given for the work to be- put in hand and pushed ou_ vigorously. As stated above, it is estimated at £12,600, and will be debited to. working expenses.” Mr Guinness then moved that a copy of Captain Connor’s report be referred to tho General Manager of Railways with a request that the work be taken in hand at once. As to Mr Ronaytie’s scheme, they should be supplied'with full details so that members could examine them and see if they approved of them, or know of alterations that they deemed desirable. Mr Bowater seconded. In reulv to the Chairman, tho Clerk stated that it would take, nine months to pay the cost of the wharf out of tho railway revenue. / . the Chairman said Mr Ronayrtc had stated, tho work would be undertaken out of loan monies. If his present proposal was carried out, it would mean that thev would not receive any railway revenue for about nine months. The Clerk stated the cost of the wharf ought really lo bo debited to Hie general account. Tho motion was carried. Mr Guinness moved that the General Manager of Railways he asked to supply the Board with full details and plans of Ids scheme. This should bo done in order to give the Harbormaster and Engineer an opportunity to point out any ad iSitious required. Mr Harris seconded the motion, which was carried. THE GOODS’ SHEDS.

Mr Ronayno also wrote as follows: “With reference to the correspondence which has taken place between the Department and the Board and to my recent visit to Greymontb in connection with the provision of now goods sheds, 1 shall he glad if the Board will kindly authorise the funds necessary to enable the new goods sheds, with the necessarx sidin'* a nd approaches to ho put in hand. It is highly desirable that this portion of. the general scheme, which I outlined to the Board for the improvement of Hie facilities for dealing with the business of Greymontb port, and ought to he put in hand at an early date, and a commencement cannot he made until 1 lua necessary funds are provided, ihe estimated cost of the work is £-1150, and 1 shall he dad if the Hoard will give tins matter early attention, as the additional accommodation is badly required.” Mr Guinness thought the Railway Department should apportion the cost to tinvarious accounts—-revenue and loan. Mr Russell moved that while the Hoard is altogether favorable lo the speedy prosecution of those works, (ho Hoard considers the whole cost should not he charged to revenue, and would ask for a statement as to what portion is for new work and what for maintenance, so that it may make arrangements to finance t lie scheme.”

The motion was carried. Mr Guinness moved that before sanctionin': the expenditure in connection with flie goods' sheds the Board bo supplied with plans, etc., of the new goods sheds, siding and approaches. Ihe Chairman seconded the motion, which was carrietl. CORRESPOXDKNC’K. The District- Engineer of Railways wrote, stating it was proposed to remove the old engine sheds at Stillwater to Clrevinonth to use them as a waggonrepairing and painting shop. He asked permission to erect the shed on the Greymonth Qnarrv Reserve. The Chairman moved that the application he deferred till next meeting, and that in the meantime the Engineer look into the matter and report to the Board. The I’liblie Trustee agreed to accept the Board’s offer of 8286 for quarry seelions. provided the Board paid the \aTiler’s f e of £2 2s. Mr Harris moved, and the Chairman seconded, that tile offer be accepted.—Carried. It was agreed that the Harbormaster raid Secretary draw up a short historical sketch of the progress of the harbour wprks at (Ireymotith. same to he submitted to the next meeting of the Board. The sketch is wanted in connection with the Mining Handbook to he issued in 'connection with the Christchurch International Exhibition.

Consideration of a letter from the Harbours’ Association Fund, relative to supera munition fmul for officers was held over till next meeting. -Mr Geo. Gcogliegan, of Dohson, wrote relative to fencing between his hind am the area held by Mr Stratford. It had Ix-en agreed to conjointly to construct a fence. Ho had done this, but Mr Stratford hail not done so. The Chairman moved, and Mr Harris seconded, that Mr Stratford he request, ed to carry out agreement.

Mr .John Sbcahan claimed compensa.ion (ill ss) and medical expenses for injuries received on the dredge barge. A claim had been made on the Insurance Society for the amount. Mr lluwatcr moved that the amount applicant IS le--allv entith-a to hv paid. Mr Hams seconded the motion, which was tarried. Thu Chairman moved that the medical expenses (ill) be paid. Carried The Hoard s solicitor forwarded suggestive conditions for sale of leases at Cohden It was decided to register the leases under the Land Transfer Act Mr llowater movi'd that tho Clork him out the capital value of sections, and that the Hoard fix the upset rental at next meeting, lorried. The Finance Committee reported receipts since last meeting to have been £f'l 'I- s,| The Harbor Fund had a IT., lit balance of £5694 lOs Bd. Accounts amounting to £517 2s 2d were passed for payment. , . The Caretaker’s salary was increased to 17 6 per week. .. „ . . Mr Russell moved that Mr Petrie be granted leave of absence for one month Carried

THE EXHIBITION. Mr Harris moved, and Mr Guinness seconded, that th eHoard contribute to the cost of .securing space at- the Christchurch Exhibition for the West (oast Court, at the same rate as the other Grevmoutli local bodies, provided such amount does not exceed £SO. Mr Hovvater did not sec why other counties outside of Greymouth should not benefit. , , , The Chairman said the Hoard wore contributing to the cost of space for the whole Coast . The motion was carried. The Chairman moved that the Secretary make arrangements with Mr Lord to execute a relief map of the Greymouth Harbour Works for the International exhibition. Mr Harris seconded. Carried. ,It was also decided to obtain photographs of the Harbour, and prepare exhibit of cores from (he Dobson bore hole. OTHER MATTERS. The Chairman moved that the Harbor Master and Deputy he provided with uniforms. Carried. Mr Guinness’s notice of motion was held over till next meeting. One asked that the Government bo urged to support a Harbour Hoard Loan Hill for the purpose of providing the necessary funds for wharfage accommodation in the river and lagoon, and the second that a sub-com-mittee be appointed to inquire into the damage done to the north breakwater during the recent gales. , „ „ - Mr Guinness moved, and Mr Russell seconded, that the Secretary supply list of applicants for work since January last, and set out whether they are married or single. Carried. Mr Guinness moved that the carting he equally divided, and that Mr Kennedy get a share. Carried.