HARBOUR BOARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 May 1925, Page 6

HARBOUR BOARD

annual meeting.

The annual meeting of the Greymouth Harbour Board was held last evening. Present: -Messrs J. Steer (chairman), W. Leitch, D. Tennent, J. McLean, G. E. Perkins, and J. Ryall. Prior to beginning the meeting Mr Steer advised' having attended the, funeral of the late Prime Minister, the Hon. W. F. Massey, as the representative of the Harbour Board. Before vacating the chair, prior to the election of a chairman for the year, Mr Steer said he' wished to thank the members of the Board for their assistance to him during last year. He also thanked the clerical and outdoor staff for the efficient discharge of their duties. As, during the coming year some important work would be undertaken, to which whoever was chairman would have to give a considerable amount of attention, he intended to move that the chairman be voted an honorarium, as provided for by statute. Previously no honorarium had been voted, as the Board’s position did. not warrant, it. The position was different to-day, and a vote would under the circumstances be quite reasonable, and would, moreover, be some recompense for the attention to the Board’s programme for the year, which involved the expenditure. of a considerable sum on important works. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. The Secretary read the Statutory regulation regarding ■ the election of chairman. t Mr P. J; McLean said that Mr Steer had 4 on e good work during th epast year, that in view of the work in project, he had pleasure in moving that Mr J. Steer be re-elected. This was seconded by Mr G. E. Perkins and carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr J. Ryall, seconded by Mr D. Tennent, Mr P. J. McLean was elected Deputy Chairman. On the motion of Mr McLean, seconded by Mr Perkins, the chairman’s honorarium was fixed at £lOO per annum. Mr Steer thanked the Board for reelecting him for a further! term, and. for- the honorarium voted. As in the past, he would do his best to copduct the Board business advantageously and in its, best interests. DOBSON LEASEHOLDS? Mr W. Leitch, introduced a deputation from the residents of Dobson regarding tenure of their leaseholds. Mr F. Boustridge said that there was a good deal of anxiety regarding securing a better title to the sections which residents at Dobson are occupying. The matter had been before the Board previously, but nothing had resulted that would give the residents the title they desired. They were anxious to secure a lease which' would give them a sufficient title to the sections to enable them to erect homes on the .sections. The Chairman said that the Board would protect the present holders. The reserving of the sections had now been completed, and it was intended to get the improvements valued, and offer the sections to the people at a certain upset price. It was true the Grey Power Board had been given certain sections at an upset rental. This also applied to the Dobson Coal Company. If when the .sections were put up for offer, in any case where there was competition for a section, that section would be put up to auction. If itj .happened that a person other than the present occhpier secured a section, he would be liable to the present occupier for the value of the improvements. This fact would probably make a buyer think twice before competing with the present occupier for a section. He thought, under the new arrangement, the annual rental would certainly be increased. Mr Cause, a' member of the deputation, said he thought it would not be fair to charge the same rental for all the sections, as some were not to be compared with others. The residents of Stillwater were anxious that more secure titles should be given them, as they were’ placed in much the same position as the Dobson residents. Mr Buchanan, the third member of the deputation, stated that he thought the Power Board should not be dealt with ‘more favourably than those who ,had resided for many years at Dobson. The Chairman assured the deputation that the Board would see no hardship was inflicted.

SOUTH TIP IMPROVEMENTS. The Engineers report regarding the repairs to the North and South Tips was, inter alia, that the repairs to the South Breakwater are the most urgent of any of the harbour works, and should bo undertaken without delay. The tiphead has sunk from the signal station to the end of the wall and repairs, with first-class stone, are recommended, to bring the wall up to a height of six feet above the level of the railway line level along the South Tip only. A number of stringers and caps under the wooden platform at the signal station, require renewing. Along the river side erosion of the wall has occurred, which should be made up with second and third-class stone. The railway line on the South Tip requires renewing; the balance being in fair order, but a number of new sleepers and a few new rails, will' be required. As the .stone would all have to be brought from th© Cobden quarry the question of connection with the railway line arises. The Engineer recommended that, subject to the Railway Department’s consent, a one and a-half chain curve be put in to connect up to the Railway Department’s carriage washing deadend so that trucks could be shunted on to the line. To get a connection with i the Harbour Board’s line, from the bridge, some diamond crossings, costing £lOO each, plus labour of laying, would be required. It was probabe the Department would object to /so many crossings. For the repairs set out, some 2000 sleepers, 32 tons of new rails, and 500 yards of ballast are required. The estimated cost of the whole work is set down at £8386. The Chairman moved, and it was carried, that the work of repairing the South Tip as recommended by the Engineer, be put in hand forthwith. With regard to the matter of connecting with the railway line, he would move that the Engineer confer with the District Engineer of Railways and report to the next meeting of the Board. GENERAL. The Harbourmaster reported that the average depth of water on the bar during April was 22ft lOin, and in the river 20ft IQin. The heavy westerly swells occurring during April caused shoaling to take place on fjre bar and shipping movements were hampered thereby. The Acting Prime Minister and Mrs Massey wrote acknowledging telegrams of sympathy at the death of the Prime Minister. Th© Secretary of the local committee of the Dunedin exhibition, Westland exhibit, wrote suggesting that the

Board '■ increase its quota of the expenses from £135 to £l5O. —It was decided to defer consideration of the letter till the Chairman had conferred with the Mayor and County Chairman. The Receiver of Gold Revenue, Ahaura, wrote suggesting that rents due on coal leases in the name of A. Manderson and another, and J. Gillman and another, both cancelled, be treated as irrecoverable. —Agreed. The Returning Officer for Westland wrote asking if the Harbour offices would be available on election day, if so the charge.—lt was decided to advise the Registrar. that the Board would place its main office at his disposal for election day at a charge of £l. , x • The Engineer of the Grey Electric Power Board wrote forwarding plan of area on reclaimed land, Giessen Street, suitable for store and yard for pole'll, inquiring as to terms. The matter was deferred until next meeting for the Board’s Engineer’s report. The Chairman of tlie Cobden Town Board wrote applying for lease of one acre of Cobden Island to be used as a dump in connection with the proposed sanitary scheme. —Declined. Charles Mann wrote inquiring if lease of 12 acres at St. Hilda (expired) could be extended to expire at the sain© date as another lease held by the lessee, and one lease issued for the lot | also asking that lease be issued in place of the grazing right over 25 acres Hillside, St. Hilda. The Secretary was directed to look into the position and - report to the next meeting. The Finance Committee reported total receipts for the month £2265 0s 9d, and credit balances at bank of £35,515 16s 7d. Accounts amounting to £2638 19s Id were passed for payment.

The Harbourmaster reported that as /ansiderable diving would have to bo , undertaken shortly a new diving dress and other necessary equipment were required. A new tow rope should be ordered for stock as the only one on hand was now in use on the tug. It was resolved that diving gear and a tow rope be procured. J. Canning, of Lyttelton, wrote, agreeing to carry out the diving work required by the Board, subject to his being at the call of the Lyttelton Harbour Board should they require him urgently during his service with the Greymouth Harbour Board. It was decided to fix the diver’s salary at £4 a day when engaged diving and £1 per day, plus hotel expenses, when standing by.