HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4904, 25 June 1918, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

ORDINARY MEETING,

The monthly meeting of the Gisborne Harbor Board was held in the Board’s office yesterday. Present.: Messrs John Townley (chairman), Preston-. T. Holden, Tombleson. F. Lysnar, W. O. Long, Quirk, Humphreys, J. Witters, Lewis arid White. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs Walli-s, R, M. Birrell and Dr. Collins. CORRESPONDENCE. Messrs Nelson Bros, wrote bringing under the notice of the Board the present unsatisfactory and dangerous cbndition of the Taruhcru River and asking the Board to take some steps to improve the navigation channel, more especially between the Roebuck Road Bridge and the footbridge. Early in tile month one of the lighters while being towed down the river bumped on the bottom, just before passing under the footbridge, with tho result that it sheered over into the next span of the bridge, an f i caused some damage to one of the stringers which they had to make good. There were several dangerous shoals between the two bridges whihe threatened to cause further trouble unless o removed. They requested the Board to continue the work commenced ifi 1916, on the same terms as then mutually agreed to. Mr Preston said they might refer the matter to the Harbor Master and see what could be done. 'Mr Humphreys: It is our liability. The Chairman: Yes. Nelson Bros, offered; to do the towing and take the silt out to see if 'we would do the dredging. . i.., The Harbor Master said all they would have to do would he to deepen about a foot between the two bridges. He would propose throwing the siR on one side. The cost would be that of two men. . Mr Lysnar suggested that a small committee be appointed. If there was no need for towing. Nelson Bros, might pay part ' of the other costs. Mr Ttumohveys: As it is our liability, I will move that the work be done. , •, The agreement, previously entered' into with Nelson Bros, was read. Mr Long seconded the motion. Mi 7 Preston said that under the altered conditions he favored Mr Lysnar’s suggestion. The Chairman, in reply to Mr Humphreys said the Board was not obliged to keep the river in a navigable state beyoipii the present Harbor. They had only made themselves responsible for this special work necessary to Nelson Bros. It was decided that the work be done, and that a committee consisting of the chairman ar-A Messrs Lysnar and l Preston be appointed to consult with Nelson Bros, on the question of wha.t proportion of tlm costs should be borne by them. It as further decided that the work h© proceeded with as early as possible. The Secretary to the Harbor Board’s Association wrote asking for the names of tho delegates to the Harbor Board Conference in Wellington on July 31, 1198.—Mr Lysnar was appointed. A letter was received re Messrs Lindsay Burnet and Co. s claim for £26, extra payment, in connection with the supply of a boiler for the John. Townley dredge. Mr Long said the v did not know anv Home Company. They had dealt with Cable an f i Co. Mr Preston moved that the correspondence be returned +r« Messrs Lindsay. Burnet and Co., with a suggestion that the claim be referred to Messrs Cable and Co., for favorable consideration. This was seconded bv Mr Quirk and carried. William Cable and Co. wrote a«kino- that the Maui he sent to thenfirm in Wellington for the annual overhaul instead- of Auckland. The Chairman said that it had been noticed by this firm that the Board was very dissatisfied with, the Auckland charges. Mr Lvsnar suggested that they invite tenders both from Wellington and Auckland firms , ~ , Mr Preston said he believed that 75 per cent of the work could be done in Gisborne, and be would move that the matter he referred to the Harbor Master, who. he believed, held a similar view. ~ , , The Chairman said the overhaul was not due till September, and might not be done: till New Year. The motion was carried. The Government Insurance Department wrote applying for the Board’s employers’ liability accident insurance on the expiry of the present cover. . ~ The Chairman said the Governmerit had the whole of the file insurance, and the South British had the accident insurance at present. On the motion of Mr Preston, the letter was received- and >t was decided to keep the matter in view. The Waikaremoana Hychm Electric League wrote stating that the Board* s share of the expenses of the trip to Lake Waikaremoana had been assessed at £2O. Mr Preston : What was the Borough Council’s share? 'The Secretary : £3O. Mr Preston: They cut it down to £lO. *. 17 1 The Chairman said the Board had agreed to make a reasonable conti ibution. ' Mr Long held that the assessment was reasonable. an f i: moved that the amount be paid. Mr Lysnar, in seconding, said they had agred to pay, and should not squeal when the account came in.. The motion '&as carried unanimously. The > Gisborne Chamber of Commerce wrote asking if the Board would permit the signalman to give information in respect to the arrival of passenger steamers at Gisborne. Mr Preston said he had not very much sympathy with the public, for it was abuse that led to the cutting off of a privilege enjoyed for a number of vearsi He, however, thought the Chamber’s suggestion a good one. Information was give*- in the same wav as fhe Chamber asked, by other Harbor Boards. At the s*ine tune be thought the public should understand that the granting of the request would be a concession that should not be abused. In the past the inquiries had been so numerous tha an extra hand h---J become necessary at the telephone bureau in order to answer them. Not only were questions asked frequently relative to the arrival of the steamer but many other questions of absurd nature' which were verv annoying and caused a great waste of tame. Tim Chairman suggested that a telephonic communication he sent to Gisborne when the steamer passed Tokomaru Bay. Mr Lewis said the matter was one which concerned the country people much more than the townspeople. The latter could easil v walk to the post office. . , ..... Captain Carson said that if it. was left with the signalman to give the information the exchange would still have to put on an extra man. j Mr Lewis thought an application to the Post Master oh fair grounds would meet with success. Mr Long pointed out that the t.me of passing East Cape could, be obtained under the new arrangement. The matter was referred to the Harbor Master. COMMITTEE REPORTS.

A committee mooting of the Board was held on Monday, .Tune 10. A® directed by the Board the committee dealt with the curtailment of expenditure.- After fully consider in E most items as shown on the statement of

estimated expenditure, the com- J mitteo found that no substantial curtailment could be made, unless peo>)' haps in the working of the Maui, but i as the Harbor Master was not in at- | tendance owing to illness, this could j not be fully dealt with. The com- J mittee decided to appoint a subcommittee, to consist of tho chairman and •« Members Preston, Smith and Holden, to consult with the HarborMaster and see if any curtailment could be effected with the Maui, the • John Townley, etc., tho sub-corn-, mittee to have power to act, and to ’ have instructions to report at this I month’s ordinary Board meeting. In view of the Board probably having to seriously consider Maying up tho Maui, the committee directed tlie secretary to inquire throughout for a silt dredger suitable for the work at this port.Tlie Works Committee had considered the question of adjustment of revenue charges and the proposal that a rate be, struck, a n<| after a full discussion it was decided that further consideration should be held over until the ordinary Board meet- 1 ing this month, when., it is anticipated, a report by a small committee appointed will be before the Board, dealing with, the question of curtailment of dredging expenditure, etc.

REPORT OF .SUB-COMMITTEE. —Re Curtailment of Expenditure— The Sub-Committee reported that after considering very fully with respect to the dredgers, including the number of hands employed and the work to be done- they came reluctantly to the conclusion that, for efficient working under existing circumstances and with the high cost of coal and materials,' they are unable to recommend any reduction towards reducing the cost of dredging at the present time. The Subcommittee again looked into other items of expenditure estimated as shown on the statement, that was in the hands of the main committee, and saw that the total of the estimate can be assumed to be reduced by £1350, being expenditure on tho dredger John Town ley’s boiler, which may ho charged to Loan Account. The Sub-Committee decided that a saving should be effected by rearranging the duties of the water-tender, and they decided that- he be offered engagement as an hourly, hand, under the Works Foreman, at wages in line with the laborers who have been in the Board’s employ a considerable time; and it Uvas arranged -that lus duties shall include cleaning the sheds and wharves. The Sub-Committee point out that when the present, repair work to tho wharf is oornplotecL a reduction in expenditure will follow automatically. _ , Mr Tombleson asked wlmt had been done in regard to overtime. Mr Preston suggested that the Board go into committee and discuss the whole question. This would permit of greater freedom of discussion. On resuming- in'open Boa yd the following rd-olution was. carried: That in view of the excessive expenditure and the present condition of the river the operations of the dredger Maui he suspended for the time being. The resolution wr* moved by Mr Holden and seconded by Mr Tombleson and had the supaoH of all present with the exception of the cha’rnian and Messrs. Lew’s and Q»;rk. Mr Quirk gave notice of motion to rescind the resolution passed and contended that the resolution could not he given effect to till this notice of motion had been dealt with. Mr Lewis contended that action must he delayed until the notice of motion was dealt with. Mr Tombleson said the officers of the Maui could be given notice as soon as possible. ' Mr Quirk considered the proceedings were irregular. No notice had been given members that the question of laving up the Maui was to he considered. The matter was not oven on the order paper, but .merely “casually” hinted at- in the committee report. Mr Humphreys agreed with the previous speaker as to the procedure, but submitted that it was only holding the matter hack unnecessarily. Mr Lewis: I say it is out of order. r [Tie order paper does not show it. Air Quirk deprecated tho sudden treatment of the matter. The Board appeared to he in too great a hurry in dealing with the question. Mr Witters: By doing it now we are saving £IOSO. for that is what it costs to run that dredge for one month. He urged that the Maui he laid up as soon as possbile and Mr Quirk’s notice of motion could be taken next meeting. Air Lewis again reiterated that that Board was powerless to do anything unless the notice of motion tabled was first of all dealt with. Mr Witters asked what the chairman’s ruling was on the matter. _ Air Lewis: The matter should be held over pending the notice of motion being dealt with. Air Holden sabli he did not see whv the matter should bo held # over pending discussion on the notice of motion. Mr Lewis: There are four members absent and the matter should be dealt with by a full number of the Board and tlie members given notice of the business of the meeting. Mr Tombleson suggested that the chairman should ascertain the legal opinion of the Board’s solicitors on the matter. TTio chairman said he would do so on returning after the luncheon adjournment, but it was his opinion that effect could be given to the resolution irrespective of the notice of motion to rescind being given. The meeting then adjourned for luncheon at 1.15 p.m. till 2.30' p.m. On resuming , ; after luncheon the chairman stated that the legal advice was that the notice of motion could not delay tlie operation of the resolution which could be given effect to immediately.

The question of renewing certain leases held bv the Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Frozen Meat. Company was considered in committee. The present leases which expire in about 12 months time give the Sheepfarmers tlie right of renewal for 21 years but no right of renewal beyond that date. The present lease further provides for a.n adjustment of rental at the end of every three years on sufficient notice being (riven bv either party. The onlv part of the present lease which the Board ha a to review was the valuation on which the rental was based. A report prepared by a special committee appointed to go into the matter was laid before the Board. ■ . After considerable discussion the matter was referred to , a committee consisting of the chairman, and Members Lysnar and Smith so that they might’ confer with the directors of the Sheepfarmers’ Company on the question of valuation. H AR 808 -MASTER’S REPORT. The Harbor-master, Captain Carson reported as f ollowte : The /condition of the harbor at the present time is better than it has been for some considerable period. The entrance is good and you now have the use ot the wharves' bar No. 3 up to seven feet L.W.O.S.T. The Mam if? en-.o-age f l in deepening the lower channel to 8 feet at L.W.O.S.T. The dredge is now about 600 feet inside the end of the groyne. Good progress is being made when weather and sea pcimit of working. The John Townley has finished the 7 foot cut alpnSside the wharves. Most the material was token to sea ahd discharged. At certain places where the depth of water permitted, the spoil was levelled off- The mint grab was also utilised working ’into the Townley s hop- ! pgr. By these means better progress

was made in freeing the wharves. The coal elevator has been in use and comes up to expectations both in the saving of expense time. The repairs to the town wharf are now under way and fair progress is being made. This work to a certain extent is tidal. It was found advisable to secure the wharf at the weak place with four extra tie-backs —this is being carried out. Good progress is being made bv the contractor with the erection of A. and B. groynes. The navigation lights are all in good order and condition. The dredgemaster reports: —Irora May 23 to June 19, the dredge Maui has pumped IOOf hours at various parts of the harbor; 9£ hours at the entrance, 601 hours in the channel over breakwater, 13J hours at- No J shed in basin, and 17f hours abreast of No 1 and 2 shedp. During the month the xlredger was stopped for 3ldays on account of had weather, too much range, and one day holidav (King’s Birthday). The dredger has coakyi with the elevator and it has worked very satisfactorily, being much quicker than the old method. The machinery is all working well. The master of the dredge John Townlev reports From Thursday. Mav 23 till Wednesday, June , 19., the dredge and lifted and deposited at sea 40 loads. 12 loads from Kaiti wharf, and 18 from town wharf, Six days the dredge has been employed in‘removing the narrow ledge at the sides of the town and Ivaiti whari and depositing same into deep water outside. The dredge was laid up for three davs through had weather, necessary work being done aboard during this period, and one day toi holiday (King’s Birthday). All machinery is working well. Mr Holden said the report was the most satisfatory they had had foi a long time and Mr Preston and other members concurred in this VI A third progress payment of £ (9o, making the total payments to date £2025 was authorised to the contractor for the erection of the groynes. ■