HARBOR BOARD.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 7314, 8 March 1892, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

The usual fdrtnightly meeting;/ of the Greymouth harbor board was held-yaster-day afternoon. Present— Mesaw A. R. Guinness (chairman), Eerr, Nanoarrow, Rodgerson, Matheaon and Pettie. Minutes of special meeting for settling -and-examining~account«, were read and confirmed. The harbormaster reported that the bar had continued in good working order during paat fortnight, with an average depth of 20 feet of water. That the s s "Pakaki grounded at the upper hydraulic crane on 27th February ; a strong freah in the rirer, and at low water the Teasel lay aground 3 f t 6in forward and 2ft *ft, the river at this particular spot Bhoatfng 4ft during the flood. Attributed the shoaling to the ship having to load down by the head, the current being too strong to allow of her being moved to suit the -crane to the after hatch. The Rosamond shoaled the same birth on an even keel some months ago, bub it scoured away shortly afterwards. When large vessels are near the bottom they cause an eddy at the lower end of the ship and the -shingle accumulates. The lower' wharf requires dredging to a depth of 18ft at low water to give -the shingle a better chance to get away. The upper poition of the old wharf requires examining by means of a diver with a view to the removal of stones and timber which have been accumulating for some time. Alao recommended that the wharf be dredged as far as the top end to 14ft at low water, and about 40f c wide, aB it had been shoaling gradually during the last two years. Forwarded letter received from inspector of steamers pointing out that additional equipments for the tug Weatland would have to be provided before the next ia•speotion which would take place in May. The report wa3 received, and it was resolved that the recommendations be given effect to, the engineer to be instructed accordingly. The engineer's annual report on the progress and condition of the "harbor works was received. The engineer's fortnightly report was read. The contractors were making-good progress with the south breakwater extanaion, 5516 tons of etone having been deposited up to date. The dredge waa employed removing the accumulation of shingle alongside the lower wharf, and owing to the extra amount of work which required to be done his original eetlmate would be exceeded. Recommended that the bucket ladder attached to the dredge be lengthened at a coat of L2O. Resolved -hat the recommendations of the engineer be adopted. The engineer forwarded a plan he had received from Messrs Hungerford and M'Kay for strengthening Cobden bridge which he had carefully examined and found to meet all requirements. Received. The outward correspondence was read and approved. Inward correspondence — From Secretaey Marine Djpartment forwarding copy ot amended harbor regulations. Received . From Marine Department in reference to blaating operations at entrance to Nelson harbor. Received. From Accountant to Railway Commissioners forwarding a statement of minerals carried on the B runner Railway. Received. From Under Secretary PobUo Works Department acknowledging receipt of letter enclosing copy of resolution fixing engineers' salary at L4OO per annum, and that the increase would be considered when the Pablio Works Estimates were preoared. Received. From the Manager Kanieri Dredging Company stating that diving appliances had been returned per Walpara. Received. From Secretary Kanieri Dredging Company thanking the board for use of diving drees, and requeating that the deposit be returned less rent due. Letter received and request complied with. From Hungerford and M'Kay stating that they bad forwarded plans for strengthening Cobden bridge to the board's engineer for his approval, and pointing out that the stone in the aouth quarry waa of a very inferior quality. Resolved that the plana be approved and they be forwarded to the borough council with a requeat that they adopt same, and that the Railway Commissioners ba info-med that the contractors are applying for the use of the bridge and that they be allowed to cross the railway line. A letter waa received from the Town Clerk stating that the borough council could not see its way to alter ita decision in regard to the terms imposed upon Han* gerford and M'Kay. Thb Chairman informed the board that the railway line along Mawhera Quay had never been properly vetted In the board. It was resolved that the engineer be instructed to pre Dare a plan of the line extending from the quarry to the Hip head with a view ti taking i the necessary steps to obtain the approval of the Gover-nor-in-Council. ' • A desultory discussion took place in respect to the action of the borough council in placing such restrictions on the bridge aa to preclude the contractors from making use of it. No aotion was taken aa it will ba necessary to give notice of motion before anything could be done in the direction of taking steps to recover the Bum of LBSO paid to the council by the boari for the privilege of using the bridge. The following is the finance committee's report : — That the following amounts have been received since the date of last ordinary meeting : — Rent of cottage, Gresson

That the harbor fund account has a credit balance of L 2.045 10a Bd. They recommend that amounts amounting to L 174 3b 7d be passed for. payment That Mr Walton's salary be Increased L 4 10a per week from Ist January last. That Mr James's aalarr be increased to L 4 10s per week while employed on tha dredge from Ist March, 1892. . That the insurance on the tag Westland be not renewed. They recommend that, the custom of allowing 5 per cent to agents on towing acooanta be allowed by the board. That Mr 'Kttohlngh'atii'ft account, L 52 2s 9d, and Nanoarrow and Go's account, L 9 5.*, be passed, sabiect to the certificate of tht leorttwy , .. *

Clauses Ito 5 were adoptfeck ■-„.■' Clause 6 wasi amended dnkthia motion of Mr Petrie, that the Chairman be authorised tp insure the tug fdr;L?000 on the beat terms that can be procured,- and that the Chairman and Mr Nanoarrow arrange the matter. Clauses 7 and 8 were adopted. Tha report as a whole as amended was adopted. The works committee's repott recommended thai; the farther consideration of tha question of extending the wharf 350 feet as recommended by the harbor master, be dsf erred for three months, and in the meantime to ascertain if the berthage at the upper wharf can be deepened. The Chairman stated that the cost of (See fourth page.)

theextenßion wasLsooo, a sum the boardr could soaroely afford" at present.— Mr Nancarrow said that extra accommodation should be provided ;, the upper cad of the- wharf. 'was required for sailing vessels, while the lower wharf was wanted exclusively for steamers. . > After some dlscnaßioh it was resolved to hold the matter in abeyance for the preßect, and the report of the comm'tlee was adopted. . , . , ■ The Chairman stated that the queßtion of royalties had not yet 'been Bettled, and itwaa resolved to call the attention of the Government to the board's letter of :2 ad June, 185)1, and that they be asked to take action. This being all the basin 638 tha meeting adjourned.

stress lil 1U 0 Towages * Paaaenger fares (tug)... 146 3. 0 6 18 9 Total