DREDGING RETURNS.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 120, 31 May 1901, Page 3

DREDGING RETURNS.

1 (Py Telegraph—Press Association.) s ' Dunedin, last night. f Hartley and Riley’s dredge has been 1 stopped by the high river. It washed up ’ for 230 z 12dwt, and the Gabriel for 6oz j lodwt llgr. The following is from an American ] paper The history of the bicycle reads like a fairy tale. Ten thousand years , hence the plainest statement of the facts ; of its origin, development, uses it. serves, t and the place it occupies in our civilisation , will be regarded by tho scholars of that tfine as we of to-day regard Plato’s ktory i of Atlantis, or the fable of Deucalion. That men and women could sit balance on a wheel of wire, braced and corded like a spider's circular miracle, which it fashions in the witching hours of night, and on it, sitting outrun the horse, outspeed the dog, and go flying down the wooden lanes with the flight of a bird, will be reckoned as a myth that haunts tho imagination and laughs at the guessing of the wise. AA r kat, for improbability, can equal this strange and weird creation of man's inventiveness? or what so elusively mock human belief when once it has passed into oblivion, and losing all record as a fact, has become merely a vague tradition ? And if, amid the ruins of some old library, a fragment of a manuscript should be discovered which told how it was used by rich and poor alike, how it was adopted into armies, added to the splendour of great public pageants, obliterated castes, so that princes and peasants rode side by side in public parks, contributing to popular health and happiness beyond any other single invention in the world, what wonder and astonishment that old-time, long-buried document would cause among then existing peoples of the earth. The bicycle may pass, but it will pass only when the cycle of human development which pro- • dueed it has run its full course, and the people that made it marvellous in human annals have passed away forever. For, looked at from any point of view, whether from that of service or pleasure, or the result of human thought and skill of adaptation to popular needs, the bicycle stands to-day as the consummate achievement of our mechanical development.

Continued from third page, is no doubt that the cutting down _of trees is going on above tbe freezing works, and drifting down to the narrowest part of the channel, are there remaining. This is not a very easy job for the Board to deal with without appointing a ranger, but with such a number of intelligent settlers, living on both banks of the river sufficient caution to them should show the urgent need for these obstructions to be discontinued.”

The Harbormaster then gave a detailed report of his survey of the river from the wharf up to the freezing works. After detailing places where snags require to be removed, he says : “ In my observations I also noticed that nearly all the boatlandings on both sides of the river aro at right angles with the bank. This in my opinion should not bo so. If authority is given to erect these landing-places they should be erected as near as possiblo to the angle of the river bank, which would also tend to improve [the river. All bathing places that have fences running down at right angles from the river bank to within a few feet of the navigable channel should be removed, as they tend to collect driftwood both on ebb and flood tides. I have to report that I have received complaints from Captain Bernech and Captain Hipgrave about the two red leading lights. These gentlemen say that if there is the slightest haze it is impossible for them to discern the lights, and they complain that they have often to dodge about till daylight. If something is not done in this direction to help navigation to approach our harbor in the dark hours of night and in stormy weather, I am afraid, by conversation that I have had with different (Attains, that the result will not be favorable to our harbor, nor to our flourishing district, which the Board has

uiyicr its consideration. It is not ueecssa\j' -to state., in figures the soundings taken at neap tide when bringing in the Fanny, as they simply bear out my last month’s report as to the condition of the river. Shipping—Steamers : Arrivals 30, departures 30. Sailing vessels : Arrivals 6, departures 7. It was agreed on tho motion of the Mayor that the dredge and punts bo supplied for a week, any extra labor in the way of towing or navigation to be provided by tho Company. On the motion of Mr Clark it was resolved to give notice to those persons from whose places it was complained obstructions got into the river. Mr Hepburn said that not much got into the river, though stuff might float about these places. The Finance Committee reported as follows

. “ With regard to the rent to be paid by the Gisborne Freezing Works Company, Limited, for the next three years of the term commencing February 1, 1902, your Committee decided that the Board wero entitled to an increase of Iff per cent, per annum, and the secretary was instructed to convey such .resolution to Mr F. J. Shelton, tho managing director, whoso acceptance would obviate tho necessity and expense of having the rental fixed under the arbitration clause contained in the lease. With regard to the clerical work .of the office, your Committee having gone'into the details, recommend that tho secretary’s salary bo increased by JE2S per annum, and that Mr Parker bo employed in making up returns and other clerical work under Mr Witty, at an increase of £25 to liis present salary.” The Chairman said that shortly put it

meant an increase of £SO a year in salaries. Ho moved tho adoption of tho report. Tho motion was seconded by Mr Hepburn and carried.

Tho Engineer reported as follows :

“ I have the honor to report on the works, being executed under my supervision for the month ending 29th May,. 1901: The Board’s - dredger lias recently been employed in removing rook from tho channel at a point nearly opposite tho big crane on the breakwater. This rock has been disposed of in the usual way, viz., deposited along the eastern sido of tho breakwater, and it is forming a very good support to the concrete work. Blasting on the bar rock lias been dono from time to time during the month. The channel opposite tho part of the breakwater lying between the tide guago and the Snark’s landing is very narrow. It is also the shallowest part. Hitherto tho rock at this place has been covered by a considerable thickness of silt, which rendered tho blasting and removal of the rock troublesome and expensive. As this rock is now comparatively clear of silt, I propoco widening and deepening the channel. Agreeably with your instructions, temporary repairs to the boat landing-place at tho Haiti bridge have been made. Tenders are invited for the gravol and stone necessary to macadamise the reclamation at the Gisborne wharf. These will be submitted for your consideration to-day. In the meantime a party of tho Board’s workmen are preparing the road-bed to received the macadam. The piles supporting the loading stage for the Gisborne Freezing Works have been destroyed by the marine worm, the front two being quite brokqn off. These have been repaired in a temporary manner. If it is your intention shortly to do any further work here, I would recommend tho extension of the Ivaiti wharf in a substantial and permanent manner, in preference to the erection of temporary works. Ia compliance with your instructions ro the Worthington firepump, to bo fitted to the new dredger, I telegraphed to Messrs Anderson your decision in the matter, and I subsequently quently wrote full particulars. Herewith please find Messrs Anderson’s reply to' telegram. Extension of the Gisborne wharf: A specification and schedule of tho timber necessary for this work is prepared. Tenders for tho supply of samo may be advertised for forthwith. The necessary dredging for lighter accommodation at the Haiti wharf has been attended to. No further report on the progress made with Messrs Anderson’s contract has yet come to hand.” ~'-f. In reply to Mr Macfaiiane, tho Engineer said that lie had sent to Messrs Anderson and Co. a letter conveying the resolution of the Board. There was a copy of tho letter in his letter-book. Mr Hepburn said that ft would be a good thing if they could get the timber landed on the Haiti side, as it took up a great deal of room on the town wharf. The Chairman proposed, and Mr Hopburn seconded, that the Engineer be instructed to prepare plans and estimates as to the cost of wharf extension on the Haiti side.—Carried.

As to tli© town wharf extension, the Chairman said they ought to obtain tl c timber first,'.before dealing with the question of labor, so that there would not be the delay as in the case of the previous extension. He moved that tenders be called for a supply of timber. Mr Macfarlane seconded the motion, whreh was earned.

The Chairman said that it was necessary that the question of port lights bo attended to without delay. The Engineer said that he had obtained the information required, and was only awaiting the instruction of-the Eoard to provide for the erection of towers. The lights would cost about £7O each.

The Engineer was instructed to supply plans and estimates for thelights by next meeting. At the request of Mr Clark, the Secre-

tary was instructed to prepare a return of the amounts received from berthage fees, and also information as to how long vessels were allowed to be at' a berth, and whether fees were charged-for the whole time, or only for when a vessel was discharging. . _ The following tenders were received for the supply of gravel and metal for the wharf extension work: —Ai Sawyer and party 3s 3d per yard, John McDowell 4s, Sheridan and Co. 3s lid, B. Little and Co. ..8s Hid. On the motion of Mr Hepburn,Vseconded by Mr Macfarlane, the tended of Messrs Sawyer and Co. was accepted. ' - - It was resolved to call for tenders for annimlsupplics as usual. .The', following cash statement, dated -25th . of May, was presented ; Ordinary account credit.£4227 14s 4d, harbor im- . provement account, debtor £2606 10s, credit £1621 4s 4d' ; bunk, current account as per hankjpass book, credit £1621 4s 4d, -less _ unpreseuted cheques ; outstanding arrears of rates 1899 £143 7s 7d, arrears Of rates 1900 £350 9s 9d, arrears rates on Crown and-'Native lands/£709 12s 5d ; wharfages, 'current • £36 18s '3d, rent-£25.9g; contractors’ deposit account, deposit if a. savings bank,' credit £3OO. (Signed) Witty, Treasurer. ; / • .. '