HARBOR BOARD

Grey River Argus, 7 February 1906, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD

"Wharf Extension

The Harbor Board met yesterday. Present: Messrs R. Russell (chairman), A. R. Guinness M.H.R., W. H. Bowater, J. A. Petrie, J. Mandl S. R. Harris and J. A. Murdoch. The Harbar-master reported as follows : — •

"The bar has continued in good condition during the past month, the average depth having been : on the bar 2ft 3in., in the river 18ft Sin. The wharves have been cleared of snags and timber. An application for an inci-easoof M. Coaklcy's salary is forwarded for the Board's facorable consideration, and I recommend that he be put on monthly salary. The shipping for ;the month of January had been: In wards. — 56 steamers, 23,927 tona, 7sailing vessels, 973 tons; total 24, 900 tons. Outwards : 54 ctenmers, [-22,763 tons; 6 sailing vessels, 722 tons, total 23,485 tons.

The chairman reported' recommending {'hat certain sections at Cobden, which have been filled in with quarry soil, should be surveyed''so that they might bs leased :ic some future date.

Moved by Mr Guinness, seconded by Mr Petrie and agreed to . That the sections be surveyed a:Vcl Messrs Gillies and Spence be authorised to do the work at schedule rates.

The Engineer reported: — Stone -» going in as usual at the North Breakwater. The quarry is in good , working order. The repairs ordered by the Inspector of machinery to the five-ton crane have been com pleted, and the crane is at work. Repairs to the superstructure of the Cobden bridge are in hand. The river for the full length of the wharf • has been examined and all snags removed. Adopted. The Engiiioei stated that tho work at Cobden bridge w^ould be finished in a fort- j night.

Mr Guinness moved: That the recommendation regarding M. Coakiey's salary be agreed to. He staled that the officer who previously did his duties received £3 10s per week.

Mr Harris seconded' the motion which was agreed to. The report a& a whole was adopted.

The following correspondence wa*> received: The Treasury, returning debentures for signature; Railway Department, return of imports and exports for 1905 ; Bank of New Zealand, London, statement of interest coupons paid. The secretary was instructed to giye information regarding sections held by John Kennedy to the Town Clerk, Bruitner. The Board assented to the sale by A. Innes of section 70 Dobsoiij Ie S. Hartshorne.

The Finance Committee reported Receipts £270 16s 3d; accounts fot payment, £328 6s 2d ; Harbor Fund Account credit £4,861 12s 9d; General Account, credit, £988'""2s 2d, Loan Account, credit, £802 15s Id; Special Rate Account, credit £3070 15s 6d. The Committee recommend ed that a further instalment of £5000 of debentures be cashed. Adopted. ,

On the motion of the chairmar. seconded by Mr Murdoch, the chait man and treasurer were aiithorisej to sign debentures' to the amount of £5000 on account of the Board's loan of £50,000.

The reports of the Engineer anri Harbor-master regarding wharf extension, were further considered. The Engineer recommended extension down stream and the Harbor-mast-er up stream.

Mr Guinness said he objected to the proposal to construct a wharf projecting about 30 feet into the> river up stream, and pointed out the great danger that would result in floods. He moved: That the Government be requested to approve of the construction of a wharf at the west end of the present structure. ■ , ■ -

Mr Mandl seconded pro forma, but considered that members should inspect the. sites ;

Mr Murdoch did not think they should' proceed in the matter of wh arf extension . The Board shoul d husband its resources so that if the PoinJs. Elizabeth scheme did no 6 materialise the Board could go 'n for the dock scheme. He contended that if the Railway Department did their duty and did not keep sailing vessels waiting, owing to shortage of trucks, the present wharf accommodation would be sufficient.

Mr Petrie said that the Premie? during his recent visit had indicated plainly that he would be guided by the engineer's opinion. He moved: That consideration be deferred.

Mr Harris seconded the amendment.

Mr Murdoch said he was opposed: to the up-stream structure.

The chairman said he had always favored extension down stream. He suggested that the plans of both extensions should be forwarded to the 'Engineer-in-chief , -for him to approve of one or the other.

M> Bowater asked if there was any immediate hurry in the matter.

The chairman said he believed there was. When they got vessels double-banked at the existing wharf it became very dangerous. Mr Bowater thought it was only reasonable that the extension should be at the lower end.

The amendment was agreed to. On. being put as the substantive motion Mr Guinness moved an amende ment: That the plans of the proposed upper and lower wharf extensions be submitted to. tlje Engin eer-inrchief, and_ his opinion asked as to the one which should be adopted. Mr Petrie seconded an 4 it was agreed to. The solicitor's opinion on tha question of the disposal of revenue from the special rate on coal was briefly considered. After desultory remarks 'it was decided' that the matter stand over for future consideration .

The Board went into committee On resuming it was reported thai; it had been resolved: To' repudiate liability in connection with ,a bicycle accident alleged to have been caused by the Board's railway crossing. That a copy of the Harbormaster's report regarding the river be forwarded to the Premier, and that the Board meefc at. 11 a.m. on Friday to consider the report. That the Board's solicitor give a legal .opinion 'as to the Board's title to Blaketow'n. That the Minister for Railways be again communi cated with, regarding the steam crane.

On the motion of Mr Guinness, seconded by Mi- Harris, it was decided to urge the ■ Government to continue telephone communication onwards from Barrytown to Westport. '..■■;..

*»»«■<«* to ..*fl. urgr ftl tedium of a tram journey areoora-. n;on, says the Timiru Herald, but or one of .the excursion trains r^ cently. a member of our staff .earned out the onerous duties of reteree m a new train game-marbles.; II was pl a y e d on a cushion, the knocking of a marble out of the: button with the favorite alleyta*,bein gi "keeps." The players we« \ a staid city father and a leading official of the Council. The latter played a keen game; but his thumb and finger were quite out of farm, and he _not only lost his whole, bag of glassiest-agates, and penny stinkers, but borrowed, and lost again. The onlookers enjoyed the game keenly, andlit passed tha.time. a\vay very pleasantly. : = I