GREY HARBOUR BOARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 December 1937, Page 14

GREY HARBOUR BOARD

LAST EVENING’S MEETING

The monthly meeting of the Greymouth Harbour Board, held last evening, was attended by Messrs. P. J. McLean (chairman), D. Tennent, G. E. Perkins, A. H. McKane, J. Ryall, G. A. Perry, and W. Clayton.

The Treasury remitted wharfages, £702/4/2. The Under-Secretary, Department of Internal Affairs, advised that contributions to the Far East Relief Fund will be validated during the present session of Parliament.

The New Zealand Standards institute, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, forwarded a report on the conference held recently at Wellington, regarding the standardisation of local body by-laws.

Mr. McKane said that it did not affect the Board a lot, but he thought they should approve of the principle of standardising by-laws. His resolution to that effect was seconded by the Chairman, and approved. The Greymouth Regatta Club applied for the use of the tug or the. dredge as a flagship for the annual regatta on December 27. The chairman said it was unfortunate, but at present the Board did not have an engineer in charge of either vessel. If a man were on duty, he would have to be paid double time for the day, under the provisions of the new award. The Board was sympathetic, but could not commit itself immediately. It might be possible to make some satisfactory arrangements. The matter was left to the chairman and engineer. Herbert Jackson advised that he had disposed of half an acre, adjoining McLean Park, to Mr. P. J. McLean. Mr. McLean advised regarding the purchase, and requested that the area be incorporated in McLean Park, as a children’s playground. —Approved. G. K. Keown advised that he has been authorised by R. C. Buchanan to sell Section 10, Nine-Mile, Coast Road, to Mrs. H. A. Ward, Runanga, and asked for the Board’s consent. — The matter was referred to the secretary, it being pointed out that the application should be made by Buchanan.

Mrs. Matilda Cooper advised change of name from Mrs. Matilda Comerford,, as lessee of Section 42, Cobden, and asked that the name be substituted in the Board’s register. —Approved. Messrs. Joyce and Taylor advised that the lease of Section 42, Cobden, in the name of Mrs. M. Cooper, contains no provisions for renewal or compensation for improvements, and asked if the Board will issue a new lease on the same terms and conditions as contained in the Blaketown leases. The Chairman said that the Board did not wish to do any injustice to tenants. On his motion, the secretary was instructed to bring down a report on all the Cobden leases. Messrs. Guinness and Kitcliingliam forwarded the following transfer for consent: Lot 2, Section 19, Reserve 1485, Mary Gertrude Stewart to William Richard Mann. —Approved. The Greymouth Borough Council wrote, agreeing to the proposed conference regarding the reclamation of the pends at Blaketown; also enquiring regarding the acquisition of frontage on Blaketown beach, to construct a promenade.—The matter was referred to the committee previously appointed. As the result of a report by the secretary and Engineer, the application of Mrs. Annie Johnston for a renewal of the lease of part Section 711, Dobson Suburban, was granted. „ West Coast A. and P. Association applied for a donation to its funds. — A grant of £2O was made. The application of J. W. Walton for annual leave was referred to the Harbourmaster, to make the necessary arrangements. Accounts totalling £l,OlO/10/7 ’were passed for payment.

HARBOURMASTER’S REPORT

The Harbourmaster (Captain F.. W. Cox) reported as follows:—-During November, the bar maintained a failaverage depth and generally the weather was favourable for shipping movements. The depths- at high water for November were: —Springs, November sth, bar 21ft 9in, river 21ft 9ins. November 20th, bar 24ft tins, river 23ft Jins. Neaps: November 12th., bar 21ft sins, river 20ft sins; November 27th., bar 23ft 9ins, river 20ft Sins. Month’s' Mean Average: Bar 22ft sins, river 21ft 7ins. Rainfall for November .was 5.48 inches and fell on 17 days. Maximum fall for 24 hours', 2.22 inches on November 16. Shipping return for November: Inwards; 28 steam, 12,303 tons. Outwards, 28 steam, 11,120 tons. November 23: Captain H. Moar resumed duty after his annual holidays. November 19: A strong fresh caused considerable shoaling ini the berthage. November 29: Dredge started dredging the berthage- and under ordinary conditions should have same cleaned up before the Christmas holidays.

ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Engineer (Mr D. C. Milne) reported as follows on the work carried out during November: — Cobden Quarry: The removal of spoil from the western face was continued throughout the month, and the favourable weather conditions which were experienced enabled good progress to be made with this work. A small quantity of second-class stone was sent to the North Breakwater. The output for the month was as follows:—Second class stone 1-11 tons' to North Breakwater. Spoil 2816 tons to spoil dump. Total output 2957 tons. North Breakwater: Moderate sea, conditions prevailed during the month and no further movement in the stonework took place. The repairs which were necessary as a result of the storm damage sustained during September were completed by the deposition of 141 tons of secondclass stono above high-water mark on the southern face. Railway Maintenance: Maintenance repairs were carried out on the lino to the spoil dumpand on the quarry sidings. Groynes at Blaketown: Moderate south-west-erly seas prevailed during the greater part of the month and were accompanied by a gradual accretion and' raising of the beach level in the vicinity of the groynes. Northerly seas wore experienced on the 18th and 19th., and resulted in erosion at all four groynes. The effect of the northerly weather was most pronounced, however, at the seaward ends of Groynes' Nos. 8 and 9, where the level of the beach was lowered approximately four feet. Towards the end of the month, under the influence of south-westerly seas the beach level was again raised in this locality by the accretion of sand, and gravel. Office buildings-: The Board room, committee room and' offices have been ' painted throughout and new linoleum : was laid on the floors of the Board.:

room and the committee room. Wharf Repairs: Repairs have been carried out to the ladders along the- wharf and new. ladders have been fitted at Piers Nos. 128 and j Id. Hydraulic Cranes-: The work of chipping and painting, the. five hydraulic cranes' was continued during the month and retail’s were effected to the platforms and windows of Cranes Nos 1 and 2. Board’s Endowments: A new culvert was constructed on the track into Trahey’s farm at St. Kilda, to replace the existing culvert which was badly decayed. Watersider’s Hall: The disused bathrooms were removed and storage accommodation for office material was constructed for the use of the watersiders’ union secretary. A number of minor repairs were effected and the interior of the building is now ready for painting, which will be carried out as soon as painters are available. Plant: Maintenance repairs were carried out to the steam shovel, locomotive and dredge. The report was adopted, the Chairman remarking that the' experience with the groynes was interesting. Mr Clayton congratulated the Engineer on the renovation effected in the Board room, but said that the next requirement was- some decent furniture, to replace the old chairs and table. It wasl the worst-furnished Board room on the West Coast. It was decided that the Engineer should prepare recommendations as to furnishing, for the next meeting. INCREASED CHARGES. The proposed amending by-laws, to bring into operation increased pilotage and berthage charges and wharfage dues, were approved, on the Chairman's motion, seconded- by Mr Clayton.

Letters were received 1 from the Grey Valley Collieries, protesting against the increased charges, and stating that they were likely to have a. serious effect on the shipping of coal from .Greymouth. Reconsideration of the matter was requested. The secretary said that he had forwarded replies, pointing out the position so far as the Board was concerned, and explaining that the Board was forced to act, owing to the increased expenditure necessitated by the new award. The action of the secretary was approved. and the Chairman said that the Board had tried! to meet the position as well as- it could.

AUSTRALIAN FREIGHTS.

The Grey County Engineer forwarded a copy of a letter received from Mr L. G. Porter? New Zealand 1 agent for Messrs Fraser and Co., as follows: “There is going to be difficulty in quoting for your port, inasmuch as the Union Company is trying to give up sending its boats: there direct from Australia, and is trying, to force- shippers to pay for transhipment via Wellington or other ports,, which means delay and very l considerable extra freight. This matter has- been brought very forcibly under my noTice recently, as 1 could get no- direct freight from Newcastle to Greymouth. 1 had to contract for the supply and delivery of poles and cross-arm timber for the Grey Valley Dredging Co., Ltd., to Hokitika, c.i.f.e. Greymouth, but my principal could get no- direct freight to Greymouth, so the material had to be transhipped via Wellington and the buyer ha,si agreed to pay the extra cost, which is very considerable. In these circumstances 1 doubt if my principal will quote me for your timber. I know he will not do so, except at the extra cost of transhipment.” The Chairman said that he- had had timber on order himself for six months, but could not get it. They could not dictate to the shipping companies. Incidentally, it was difficult to get timber in Australia, to-day, owing to the keen demand. On the Chairman’s motion, it. was decided to forward a- copy of the letter to the Greymouth representative of the shipping companies.

BLAKETOWN LEASES.

A deputation! from the Blaketown and Preston Road Ratepayers’ Association, Messrs J. Horrack and E. V. Ellery, waited on the Board, as an outcome of the meeting of the- Association held last Sunday, which protested against the charges pr-ade by Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham, solicitors, for preparing the new leases of the Board’s sections at Blaketown, amounting to £5/0/3 in the case of each lessee. Air Horrack said, that the fee of £3/3/- for drawing up the lease, was strongly objected to by the lessees. They were quite aware that the usual charge for a single transaction of tlie kind was 1 £3/3/-, but they thought that in thi.b case, when there were over 100 leases, it might have been done as a “job lot,” at a reduced fee. It appeared to the Blaketown people that it was only a week’s work for a member of the. firm’s staff. At a fee of £3/3/- each, 120 leases represented a lot of money for the people to pay. They thought, that, if the sympathy of the Board was enlisted, a reduction might be secured. The ratepayers were the Board’s tenants, and thought they were entitled to sympathy and assistance. Mr Ellery had nothing to add, saying that Mr Horrack’s- remarks were exactly those which he would have used.

The Chairman said that the Board was sympathetic, but the matter was really outside its province. He had called on Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham, himself, and found that the co.stt of Borough leases' was- £5/12/6, ami those of Native Reserves 1 £3/3/ph’.s expenses. The charges were fixed by the Law Society. About six cf the leases at Blaketown had 1 been taken, up, so far. He appreciated the position of the people. The Board could suggest to the solicitors that the matter of a reduction! in the, charges be given favourable consideration. The Board could not go beyond that. If anj' reduction could be secured; the: Board was 1 only too anxious to assist.

Mr Ryall said he understood that the charge made by the Public Trustee for Native leases was £5/14/-. The Chairman said that the Public Trust Office put through as many as 150 leases in a day. without any reduction in the charges.

Mr Ryall said that his sympathy was with the deputation. Although it was recognised that the charge was legal, there were certainly a large number of leases. He moved that the Chairman, the Chairman' of the Finance Committee (Mr Perkins) and the secretary interview Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham, with a view to .securing some reduction.

Mr Ellery said it. was 1 considered that the fees for stamps and forms were regarded as exorbitant.

The Chairman said that such points could be placed before the secretary, and mentioned when the matter was referred to the solicitors. i

Mr McKane pointed out that the solicitors were committed to a Certain amount of the total of £5/0/3, for out-of-pocket expenses. Mr Hyalite resolution was approved. Thanks on behalf of the deputation were expressed by Mr Ellery, who hoped that some good would accrue. Messrs Guinness and 1 Kitchingham forwarded the following Blaketown leases for completion:—Lot 2, Section 19, Res. 1485, Mrs Mary Gertrude Stewart. N. W. Moiety Section 21, Res. 1485, James William Grant. Lot 1, Section 5, Res. 1485, John George Walton. Section 63, Res, 1427,

? ]John Edward Goodall. Section 62, -'Res. 1427, John McDonald Guy. Lot , 3, Section 16, Res. 1455, Mary Jane jEarl. Section 33, D. P. 415, Res. 1485, . Margaret Battensby. Lot 3, D.P. 809, i Res. 1485, James and Mary' Jane i Earl. Lot. 2, Section 17, Res. 1485, Charles Francis Frederick Blake and t Margaret Blake. It. was decided that the leases be completed. In reply to Mr Ryall, the secretary said that he believed a number of 1 other leases were ready for signature. 1 The Chairman remarked that there had been delay, owing to the protest

against the legal fees. z Tenders for leases of sections on Packer’s Quay were received as follow, the annual rent tendered being 15/- per section: —Peter James McEnaney, Sections 171, 172. Emmalitie. Richard Schultze, Section 173. . John Joseph Clark, Sections 174. 175. John William Dixon, Sections 176, 177. Leslie Walker Stanton, Sections 178, 179. Robert Hall, Sections 180, 181. On the motion of tho Chairman, the/ leases were granted to the respective tenderers. Tho secretary said that £ll the sec-? tions were now, taken up.