Harbor Board

Grey River Argus, Volume LVII, Issue 10520, 28 January 1903, Page 2

Harbor Board

A meeting of the Board was held lasb evening. Present — Messrs Petrie (ch -ir), Sheedy, Matheson, Russell, M-'Kechnie and Campbell. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. engineer's report. * I have the honor to report as fob lows : — " Quarry — Owing toles_ stone being required at the breakwater seven men have been discharged, " Dredge — The dredge commenced working on 16th January and has lifted 1998 tons. With an additional crane we could lift a much larger quantity, but for a short job it is hardly worth getting. Four horses were tried for running spoil and Mr Kennedy's gave the most satisfaction. ■."The dredging material is being' deposited Oin the borough reserve. I do not know if any arrangement has been made regarding it. " Sheet piling — The sheet piling has. been driven almost up tq the lower crane.

"South Breakwater — Very little more stone required at the breakwater. Enough should be in by the board meeting on 17th February. Some additional stone will probably be required after the winter's storms to make up settlement." Mr Sheedy wanted to know if the works were to come to a standstill. After getting the opinions from eminent engineers the work should be proceeded with. The Chairman stated that everything was beiag done to gets the necessary authority. Report adopted. HARBOR MASTER'S REPCRT. "Ihave the honor to inform you that the bar at this port has continued iv good condition during the past fortnight. " The average depth of water en the bar has been 22 feet 6 inches and in the river 19 feet 6 inches. A consi.ier. able flood occurred on the 12th, some heavy timber came down, damaging ihe tug's port wheel. ° " The tug's foremast is rotten and requires replacing with a new one ; also a new binnacle and compass is required, as the one now in use is nearly useless, The chairman stated he bad given authority to the Foundry for putting in a new mast, also for anew starting gear for tlie tug. Action endorsed. ° Report adopted. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Union Steam Shipping Coy notifying the Board that the Company intended currying cattle and asking that the cattle wharf be promptly enlarged. The Chairman moved that the necessary alterations be made. Mr Campbell seconded. Carried. FromSayer, master of the schooner in port, offering a small quantity of iron bai k at 19« a hundredOn the motion of the Chairman the timber was O'dered to be purchased. From the Borough Council asking the Board to meet a deputation to go into the question of reserves wanted by the Board for docks. Resolved that the Board meefc the deputation on February 4th at 3 o'clock. NOTICE OP MOTION Mr McKechnie moved " That the Board take steps to extend the wharf down stream to the cattle wharf ; and that the engineer prepare plans and estimates of the work." At present there was not sufficient accommodation, as the port will go ahead during the next year j something must be done. Mr Campbell seconded and said he was quite i n accord witb the resolution. What they needed was a travelling crane to work the wharf, so that the crane could be brought to the vessel instead of the vessel being shifted to the crane. Mr Matheson favored the resolution and thought there was no difficulty to be expedenced from the range. Mr Sheedy supported the motion. Mr Russell said he was always in favor of this work being done, as it was very necessary. This question had been fully enquii ed into months ago and in his opinion should have been pushed on with then. • Mr Petrie said there was enough accommodation. What they wanted was a travelling crane to do the work. However, he did not approve of the motion. Motion carried. Mr Campbell moved thafc the Railway Department be informed that this Board cannot wait longer for the steam travelling crane and that the authority be cancelled as the Board intended getting one constructed in the colony. Mr Matheson seconded. Carried. Mr C .mpbell moved that Mr Thomson prepare a plan of a suitable crane and submit it to the foundries in the colony for tender. Mr Russell seconded. Carried.