GISBORNE HARBOR BOARD

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2223, 29 October 1907, Page 1

GISBORNE HARBOR BOARD

Tlio mouthy mooting of tho Harbor Board was hold yesterday. Present: —Messrs J. Townloy in tho chair), Sievwright, Hepburn, Harris, Whinray, and Lysnar. AMENDED BY-LAWS. C'onsidoration was given to a clause in tho last report of the Financo Committeo, on Harbormaster’s fees as follows: —“That By-Law 20 be amended by altering tho fourth clause to read as follows: —For steamers of 120 tons register and upwards, to roadstead only, Id por ton on arrival, but so that the owner shall not pay more than 6d por ton in any half year; for steamers of 120 tons and upwards entoring tho river Id per ton on arrival.” Mr. Lysnar said that tho first section was called for because of tho Union Company sending larger boats to tho Bay. The finances of tho Board justified tho concession. Last year tho Union Company paid £6<V' in dues, and under the revised tariff they would be called upon to pay £IBOO. Tho concession, as compared with the present charges, would only be £4OO a year. Tho Chairman seconded tho motion. '

Miv, Harris supported tho section generally, but ho would have something to say to tho Financo Committee if it was lator decided to go back to tho rates. Tho section was amended and passed. Mr. Lysnar moved that tho time for removal of goods from tho sheds should be extended to 48 hours. At tho same tim© was considered a petition from a largo number of merchants and carriers asking that tho time allowed for removal of goods from sheds should bo increased from 8 hours to 10 hours. Tho system had been given a fair trial, but the signatories found that at present it was a hard job to cope with tho work, and folt certain that it_ could not bo done during tho wool shipping season. Tho Secretary said that during tho past month ho had received £2O lor storage. Mr. Hejiburn said that under tho present arrangement tho sheds were always empty. The people in charge of the sheds were very pleased with tho way things wont. If tho time wero oxtended more sheds would be needed, as people would take advantage of the privilege. In Napier, storage in tho wharf sheds was not allowed. If goods wero loft in tho wharf sheds they wero taken to a shore store and charges were made for cartage and storage. Mr. Harris was also against extension. The small carters said they did not get a fair share of work—tho big firms tried to keep tlioir carting in a few hands, causing a block. Mr. Lvsnar said a compromise seemed necessary. Ho suggested that tho time be made a full working day after the discharge. He moved to amend his motion to that effect. The motion with this amendment vas carried. In accordance with notice of uiolon Mr Lysnar moved as follows rerarding ship charges“Up to 40 ;ons register £3 for o clays, and 10s jer day after tho fifth day; over 40 ;ons and up to 75, £4, for five days, iud 10s per day after the fifth day. This was merely remedying an miission in the by-laws, and tlio notion was passed. RIVER ENCROACHMENTS. Mr. lan S. Simson wroto further •egarding his application in respect >f spoil for property on tho Point, Vhataupoko. He found that he en■roached on the river, but thought io might bo charged a peppercorn ■ent. His embankment was in line vith the lines of the neighbors on sack side. . _ A l'eport made by the Overseer m Vlarcli was put in showing that on >ne side the encroachment was 40ft, ind on tlio other 15ft. , Tho Overseer reported that the jreastwork was of sufficient strength. Mr. Lysnar moved that the request if Mr. Simson be granted, and that le be charged a rent of £1 per auMr. Sievwright thought the whole natter of encroachments should bo rone into, and he moved that ail ’hose whose properties encroached Should bo called upon to sign a dedaration of the ownership of the Board and pay a rent according to irea. , , , ]\lr. Whinray seconded, and propos'd that the rent be £1 per year. Mr. Harris said he favored Mr. siovwright’s motion. . These en;roachments were getting rid or unsightly mucl-flats, and the rent should mly be nominal. He seconded Mr. Lysnar’s motion. The motions of Messrs Lysnar and sievwright were both passed. PROPOSED SPECIAL TIMBER WHARF. On behalf-of the East Coast Timber and Trading Company, Mr. \\. L Rees applied to lease a piece of land fronting the groyne and the SVaikanae Creek. The letter continued:—“lt is possible that tlie 1 under Company will commence the export of timber to New South V ales in a steady and substantial manuei, and as the same boats which took away timber would bring back coal, the site proposed would be eminently suitable. I am informed that estimates have already been submitted to tlio Board showing tho probable lost of deepening and strengthening the Waikanao ’ breastwork so as to provide accommodation for the ships that can enter tho river. As the commencement of a timber export industry would be a public as well as a private benefit, I trust that your Board may pay favorable attention to my request.” ' The Chairman said it was proposed to have ’a railway line run down to tho company’s wharf. Mr. Lysnar thought the -lease should have a yearly tenure. He moved that the matter he referred for report t-o the Finance Committee. A report by the Overseer was put in showing that tho cost of deepening the channel and putting up a. strong breastwork' would be £795. Mr- Whim-ay thought that tho present yard for 'the shipping of stock would have to be moved, and he was of opinion that the piece of ground in question should not ho leased to anybody as it would be needed lor a stockyard. . The Overseer said the work could probably be done for between £6bt. und £650. The motion was carried. SLIP MATTERS.

Tlie Union Compa/uy complained of delay in getting the Tuatea on tlie slip. Owing to the cradle being unable to come down far enough owing to silting the boat missed a- tide. The manager suggested that control of the slip should rest with the Harbormaster. No claim for delay was

mudo, but it was hoped that stops would bo taken to soo that tho circumstances did not recur. Tho Ovorseer said ho was not aware that tho Company wanted tho morning tide on tho day in question. 110 had made all arrangements lor clearing tho silt for. tho evening tido. On tho morning ill question ho found the silt soft, and attempted to get the Tuatoa. on at that tune. Tho stall did all they could in tho circumstances. Notice had boon given on Wednesday for uso of tho slip on tho following Monday, but it was Saturday before ho hoard what tulo was rcdce ; ( ] p q to write to tho Company apologising lor tho misunderstanding. In connection with the suggestion to give control to the Harbormaster, tlio opinion was expressed that tho present system was th ° OVERSEER’S REPORT. Tho Ovorseer reported that a start had been made with tho sand-pump above tho brewery,' hut much time was lost by tho pipe becoming choked. On the. r ltli woi'k at the spot was discontinued, and a start was made at tho Roebuck road bridge where a channel was being cut to mvo barges a straight run tliroiign tho bridle. The Mplm Townloy took 44 loads ol spoiPte son, and the small drodgo raised 070 yards. A hundrod loads of gravel and stone had been taken from tho Haiti beaCh ’ WATER SUPPLY; The Public Works Committee were asked to report on tho matter ot water supply. HARBORMASTER’S REPORT. Tho Harbormaster (.Captain Cummin g) reported -.—Steamers: Arrivals during tho month 32, departures 52. Sailing vessels: Arrivals 13, departures 12. Tho flooring in No. 3 sliccl on new wharf required repairing as soon as possible, and tho roadway near tho shed was also in a bad state for want of metal. This shed required enlarging by adding a lean-to along tho side, as tho Squall and Toroa find it too small for their cargoes at times. This was the best wharf for these ships, as it was handy to tio up at and for leaving from, besides leaving tlio rest of tlio wharf clear for lighters. Soundings in the channel taken on the 25th inst. weie. End of breakwater 14ft Gin, sixth bollard from end 7ft 3in, Snarls s landing 7ft 3in, big crane 811 3m, Waikanao Bft 6in, along new whart 7ft 3in, town wharf 6ft to Bft, lower end of ICaiti wharf Bft. The making of a largo extra door in tho goods shed was authorised. DRED GEM ASTER’S REPORT. Tho Dredgemaster (Captain Solvander) reported that the John Townley had been constantly employed dredging -along the town and Ivaiti wharves. The amount of spoil taken out was 200 yards from the slip, 4200 yards from various places between town and Ivaiti wharf. Everything on Hand was working satisfactorily.

GENERAL. Tlie Secretary reported that he had written to the [lon. J. Carroll asking him to attend the Harbor Boards Conference on October 23rd as delegate for tlie Gisborne Harbor Boaid. A plan was submitted for proposed waiting rooms. —It was decided to call for tenders for the work. The following statement of accounts was submitted: Ordinary Account, credit £IO,OOB 16s id.; Harbor Improvement Account, 1907, debit, £7096 8s 7d; Bank, credit, £2912 7s 6d; outstanding—Arrears of rates, 1905 and 1906, £760 18s lid; wharfages current, £l3 6s 9d; rent, £49 11s Bd. The Chairman moved that tenders bo called for 1000yds of broken Patutalii metal. This was for metalling tlio soft places along the wharf frontage. The motion was carried.