HARBOR BOARD.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 5364, 8 December 1885, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

Monday, December 7. At the meeting of the Harbor Board held to-day, the following members were Present — Messrs Guimiess (in the chair), M'Lean, Thomas (mayor), Sheedy, Lahman, Kerr. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The fortnightly report of the Engineer was read, which gave the details of the progress made with the various works and the number of men (160) employed on the works. The report recommended the removal of a number of large stones alongside the wharf which had slipped in from under the wharf. The report pointed out that contract No. 4 was being cerried out in a most unsatisfactory manner. Mr Lahman moved that the Secretary be instructed to inform t c contractor that the Board are dissatisfied with the way in which contract No. 4 is being carried out. — Mr Guinness seconded. It was necessary to do something of that kind. — Mr Kerr moved that before the motion was put the Engineer be communicated with on the matter, and that any communication with the contractor should be made by the Engineer, as he held that he was the proper medium of communication between the Board and the contractots. — Mr M'Lean. supported Mr Kerr's amendment. — Mr Thomas thought they should get what information they could from the Engineer. — Mr Gumness would support Mr Kerr's amendment provided it did not involve any further delay. — Mr Sheedy said that the sole cause of the delay with the ATork on the other side of the river was the non-arrival of the plant ; but the Board had nothing to do with that. Their business was to see the contract pushed on in a proper manner, or else grant the contractors an extension of time. They should take a firm stand one way or the other. He also thought that the proper person to communicate with the contractor was the Engineer. — The amendment of Mr Kerr was then put and carried. — The Engineer then stated to the Board that the contractors might have put on more men at an earlier date — three or four days ago for instance. According to the contract the railway should have been laid in October. He considered that the contractors showed a want of energy in getting his plant ready. Ho had a crane and waggons standing idle for some days, when he ought to have them employed.— Mr Sheedy held that they should not be bringing up the question of the contractors' remissness every meeting. The Engineer! was the proper and the only person to compel the contractors to go on with their work more expeditiounly. He held that they should look to him to see that the contract was properly carried outline

Engineer said that he could do no more than roport to the Board that the contractors were not carrying out their work properly, and ask that the penalties be enforced. He could not compel them to work more energetically if they would not do so. (The Engineer then retired). — Mr Guinness said that after the explanation given by the Engineer he was satisfied that he was the proper person to convey the wishes, of the Board to the contractor. The report of the Harbor Master was read, which corroborated the statemenof the Engineer in regard to large stones slipping into the shipping berths, so that there was only 7ft at low water. The report stated there had been 17ft. of water on the bar at high water for some weeks, back. It also stated that Captain Connor had on the Ist inst assumed the duties of signal man. Mr Guinness moved that the question of the removal ot the stones alongside the wharf be referred to the Works Committee. — Mr Sheedy saw no necessity for sending home for a diving dress. He thought the dredge could remove all the stones that could be found alongside the wharf. The motion was referred to the Works Committee. A claim made by Mr James Stalker (£4 15s) in regard to some outhouses at the residence of the signalman was referred to the Executive Committee. The outward correspondence was read. The inward correspondence was read. A letter from Messrs Hungerford and M'Kay gave explanations as to the cause of the delay in carrying out contract No. 4, stating that they had been disappointed in not receiving their plant from England. They had in the meantime got a number of wagon wheels cast at Wellington, the axles for which they procured from Government. < They were also negotiating for a locomotive at present in the North Island. They asked for an extension of time. This letter was in reference to the threat made at the previous meeting of the Board to call upon the sureties of the contractors to carry out the work according to the terms of the contract.— Received. Another letter trom the contractors in relation to the hire of trucks was read and ■ referred to the Workß Committee. The report of the Works Committee was read as follows : — " LEDGE OF STONES AT TIPHEAD. "They have instructed the Engineer to have same removed, the work to be under the direction of the Executive. ' ' RAILWAY STATION AT DOBSON. "After making full enquiries your Committee directed the Secretary to communicate y with the Minister for Public Works, requesting him to have a station erected without delay. INSURANCE OF BUILDINGS. "Your Committee instructed the Secretary to effect an insurance with" the Equitable Company of £1200 oh Office building and £300 on furniture." ! Report agreed to. The report of the Executive Committee was read. On the question of repairs to the signal man's house, Mr Lahman; moved that in order' to avoid any extravagance the matter be referred to the Executive Committee. — Mr Kerr said the building was in anything but a fit state to be occupied, and he thought it would require all the expenditure estimated (£95) by the Engineer. Mr Lahman said he would alter hin motion so as to refer the matter to the Works Com mitten. -—Mr Thomas said they onght to refer the matter to an architect and call for tenders in the ordinary way. Referred to the Works Committee. The report recommended that Mr

(See fourth page.)

James be employed as crane driver and mechanist at his present alary of £20 per month.— Mr Sheedy said he did not consider it to be to the interest -of Board to removie one man so as to inakei room for another. He did not consider' that the Engineer or any _one else who recommended 7 the " removal of Mr Richardson, who had given every . Mtisfaction to make room 'for Mr James f could have the interest of. the at; heart. Ii was not fair. Besides, one man got £20 per month to the other's £15. He would say as 'much for Mr Jameß if he had been in Mr Richardson's place.— Mr Kerr said that he had no doubt; the Executive Committee had been very well advised before they made the recommendation contained in the report. They had reason to know that Mr James was a very useful man ; but at the same time he • would not like to see one man discharged merely to make room for: another to do_i t his work — namely, drive a crane. If it was quite true that Mr Richardson, was, going to work for Messrs Hungerfprd'and McKay, then no harm was done. They 'could then, without doing injustice to anybody, employ Mr James in the interests of the Board, as he had proved himself to be a very handy man amongst machinery. i — Mr Lahman explained that Richardson' was not dismissed to make room for James.. . They had all received notice . at the same time. Richardson had got work elsewhere, but James had not. > iThe Engineer said that besides Jameß » being-. the best man of the three crane drivers, he was entitled to first consideration on account of his seniority of position and his superiority as a mechanician. But Richardson was not dismissed to make .room for .James — Mr Sheedy moved that clause two of the report be struck out, and that the services of Mr Richardson be 'retained if he desired to remain.— Mr Thomas seconded.— Mr Guinness explained 4 ih&t the work at which it "was proposed to employ Mr James 'was ■entirely a new work, and the ques-; tion was simply this — Who is the more suitable man for the position ? So far as Jhey all knew, Mr James was by far the -fifcferman of the two in consequence of his jiwfcific qualifications as a mechanical engineer. On a division, Mr Sheedy's amendmenfejwas rejected by 4 against 2V^' : - : '"' Messrs Sheedy and Kerr were appointed „ the next Executive Committee, the Chairman being a member ~ex ojficio. Resolved that the horse used in the dredging be sold by auction. The report of the Finance' Committee was read and adopted, and accounts, amounting to £2125 10s 3d, passed for payment. Mr Lahman said it was very satisfactory for them to learn from the returns of the receipts from the railway and wharf that last month gave them £1000 clear profit. The month before that did not yield much over £200. Mr Guinness moved that the Secretary be instructed to send an urgent telegram "to the Government in regard to the erection of the proposed new transit Bhed. — Carried. It was also resolved, on the motion of Mr Guinness, that the Secretary be instructed to ask Government for an immediate answer in connection with coal hoppers. Mr Lahman drew special attention to -the fact that 160 men are employed in connection with the harbor works — namely, 84 by the contractors on the south side of the river, 37 on the north side, and 39 by the Board. The Board then adjourned.