Wairoa Harbor.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 163, 22 July 1901, Page 3

Wairoa Harbor.

1 (TIMES CORRESPONDENT.) A meeting of the Harbor Board was ■ held on July 10th to confer with Mr i Hanapie, C.E., as to preventing the en- - croaching of the river behind the western ' crib work. The Chairman (Mr Corked) stated the object of the meeting. Mr Perham’s recommendation was to sheetpile that part of the works. It has been decided to eventually carry out that part of the work, but Mr Hanapie now recommended that the work should be proceeded with at once ; also to put in a groyne to prevent the water from flowing in behind the piles. Mr J. H. Brown asked Mr Hanapie his views as to the works as far as they had been carried out, and what the ultimate prospect would be. Mr Hanapie stated that he was of opinion that the work so far was going on most satisfactorily, but it was hardly fair to expect result until the work had been carried on nearer to the ultimate point. The class of work was not new, and had been carried out most successfully in other parts. Mr Perham was of opinion that the works would be a success, and he fully endorsed the remarks. Mr Moloney thought the work would be more effective to extend western wall out to the out work. Mr Hanapie said the groyne and sheet piling would obviate that. 1

Mr Brown, addressing Mr Moloney, stated that amateur engineers were a curse to local bodies, and Mr Hanapie should know what was best. The Chairman said he for one would abide by the engineer's decision. ! Mr Brown stated they were paying a foreman 14s a day, and he only had three or four men under him. Why not have 20, and so jget the work finished before the wool season came on '? The Foreman said he could put on four men to do the work on the western side.

The Chairman: And without waiting to put in tho stay piles, could not the manuka piling follow up the driving if the lower wire was put on. The Foreman: Yes, if they decided whether to use wire or hoop-iron. Mr Maloney wished to know if the money was going to last out.

Tlie Chairman stated they could knock off when it was all spent. Mr Maloney was of opinion it would be better to finish the work on tho western side, and suspend work on the eastern side for the present. He moved that the work on the eastern wall bo suspended, and all the funds be spent on the bluff side.

Mr Britnoll seconded pro forma, but thought it advisable to push on the work of both sidos together. They only had so much to spend ; delaying the work would make it no more.

The Chairman thought there was every possibility of getting a further vote. Mr Maloney: We have only so much money to spend, and he objected anticipating any further advance until they received it.

The motion was then put and lost, Mr Maloney being the only one to vote for it. Mr Brown proposed that, in accordance with the idea of the engineer, both sides of the works bo proceeded with at once, and with more speed. Mr Ramsay : To put on oxtra hands at once and immediately - proceed to put in groyne where advised, and to sheet pile from tho close wall inwards. Tho motion was carried, Mr Maloney voting against it.

The cost of tho groyne and sheet piling was estimated by tho foreman at £144 lus. Mr Maloney : Would not the Board

havo to sheet pile as far as tho paddock eventually'? Tho Chairman : Yes, but that does not press at present.

Mr Brown said he thought as Mr Ramsay was getting 14s a day, instead of having only four men under him ho should have *2O. Flo hoped his remarks would not raise Mr Ramsay’s ire. The foreman said ho did not sec anything to get angry about. Without an extra machine, they could not put any more extra men on pile-driving, but for the other work laid out he could accommodate eight extra hands. Tho Chairman stated whether Mr Ramsay got angry or not, ho would say that greater expedition should bo gono 'on with the work before they lost tho benefit of the winter iloods. The foreman should at once send a monkey and frame. Cap- ■ tain Davidson had given them the use of

a winch, and the groyne advised should bo gone on with at once. Mr Brown said that half tho country_ ivas angry about tho manner in which tho works were delayed. It was really terrible the way the works ware being pushed on. All business interests were suffering. Mr Hanapie said there were several acres on the cast side of tho river which had silted up three feet. A voto of thanks was- passed to Mr Perham for what ho had done for the Board, also for his furthor advice through Mr Hanapie. It was agreed to supply Mr Ilanapio with a horse to go overland to Napier, all the seats on the coach being occupied.