HARBOUR BOARD.

Grey River Argus, 5 February 1930, Page 3

HARBOUR BOARD.

OR DIN AR Y ME ETING. — The ordinary meeting of the GreyHKiiilh Harbour Board was held last i night, there being present Messrs P. J. McLean (chairman). J. W. GreenJade, G. Perry. G. E. Perkins, T). TenJ' -'ii. w. Clayton. ; nd J. Byall. The "•(•rotary. Mr W. Gilbert, and the i agineer. Mr T. A. Johnston, were also present. Ihe Treasury remitted wharfage and special rate €1143 16/10. royalties 19/6 and balance of subsidy £lOOO. 1 he Acting-District Traffic Manager wrote suggesting that the practice of lorry drivers stopping their vehicles on Preston Road discharge siding be discontinued. It was decided that a warning notice be erected in the vicinity. A complaint was made from Mr A. West that sand removal at the rear of his section, Blaketown. .allowed the tide to come in. He suggested that members should view the place. Lhe matter was referred to the Overseer. A. D. Riley wrote applying for st or age space (800 to 1000 sup. ft.) for transformers. The Secretary and the Engineer were empowered to act in the matter. In regard to the Board’s power of leasing a| Dobson, the Superintendent of the State Advances Department, Wellington, wrote advising of receipt of the Crown Solicitor’s opinion and stating that the position is being considered and a reply will be sent later. In reference to the same matter Guinness and Kitchingham advised rhe Board had power to grant leases with power of renewal and asking if all new leases to be prepared are to have the right of renewal. The Town Clerk, Brunnerton. forwarded correspondence from the Prime Minister and the Minister of Marine, through Mr 11. E. Holland. M.P.. anent the Board’s powers in the matter.

The matter was left over pending a reply from the State Advance Department as to whether they would accept lhe opinion of the Solicitor-Genera) that renewable leases could be granted. S. Tl. Shand, Kokiri, wrote surreuderinig Building Right, over Silver Pine Block. The Secretary of the Blackball Baths Committee wrote requesting the Board io replace at a reasonable cost, two buoys destroyed ‘luring the off season. Opinion on this matter was divided, [and a general discussion ensue.], which the Chairman settled when he announced that he would donate the buoys at his own expense. In relation to the ILM.S. Veronica’s visit, it was left in the hands of the Chairman to make arrangements.

HABBOUBMASTEB’S REPORT. The Harbourmaster, Captain Cox. submitted the following report: During January the bar has maintained a good average depth. The weather generally has • been favourable for .-hipping movements. The depths at high water for .January -were: Springs. January 1, bar 27ft Gins, river 22ft Bins; January 16, bar 28ft Gins, river 23ft Bins; neaps, January 9. bar 25ft Rins, river 20ft Sins; January 23, bar 25ft 3ins, river 20ft 3ins. Month’s mean average: Bar 26ft Sins, river 21ft Sins. Rainfall for January, 6.81 ins, falling on 17 days. Shipping nturns wore: Inward 24 steamers, .14,821 tons; outwards. 27 si earners. 16.307 tons. The dredge has been employ’d cleaning up the berthage, but has been frequently delayed on account of lhe berths being occupied. Given the opportunity about two weeks will finish the berthage. The report was adopted.

FINANCE REPORT. The Chairman of the Finance Com - mittee, Mr G. E. Perkins, presented the following report: —The following accounts have been received since date of last meeting: Wharfages £lOO3 14/8; shipping dues £362 14/3; royalty 19/6; rents M 127 0/3; subsidy account £1000; special rate on coal £l4O 2/2; accident compensation £B6 4/-; total £2720 14/10. The balances on the various accounts are as follows: General account (cr.) £11,892 7/9; insurance fund accounts (cr.) £17,049 17/-; special rate on coal account (er.) £145 13/11. The harbour fund account has a credit balance of £3,287 18/8. and fixed deposits £25,800. The Board’s Engineer, Mr T. A. Johnston, reported as follows: 1 have to report as follows for the work carried out during the month of January;—

Cobdeii Quarry.—Since the termination of the holidays on January 7th a good output of stone has been maintained. First class stone 1265 tons, 2nd class 755 tons. 3rd class 482 tons; 'total 2502 tons. In addition to this 930 tons of spoil was deposited an the north breakwater dump.

Stone supplied to Railway Department, —301 tons of second and thi r d class stone was placed at the apron of the masonry wall extending from Tainui Street eastward w’hile 272 tons of second and third class stone was placed under the wharf. This tonnage is all included in the quarry output given above. Track maintenance.—This has been carried out. on both the north and south breakwater lines, and the ballasting of the latter is now in hand. The maintenance *gang have also assisted with the opening up of the wharf and placing of the stone in various bays. Greymouth wharf, etc. —The following maintenance works have been carried out: (1) Clearing the deck spaces from end to end; (2) New stringers and decking at cattle landing—lagoon dock wharf; (3) Painting of the nvjdraulie cranes; (4) repairs to back •white beacon; (5) repairs to tug spon.’sons; (6) repairs to dredge winch brakes.

Plant.—General maintenance has been undertaken by the staff in a satisfactory manner, work being carried out on the 15 ton crane, two locomo-

tives, lhe dredge and on the quarry air service. General. —A schedule t in connection with tenders received for a new air receiver is attached hereto, while reports as requested have been submitted in connection with Greymouth Harbour improvmeent scheme and also in connection with the renewal of the power house boilers. Harbour lighting. —As previously re ported the special lenses, fittings and apparatus for the harbour lighting were not obtainable in New Zealand and although the leading electrical firms were asked to -quote, only two were prepared to do so. So far a quotation has been received from only one firm and since the matter -was urgent and the price, and apparatus appeared to be satisfactory it was forwarded to the Engineer of the Marine Department for his approval. The most urgent item is the harbour light where lhe existing Aga lantern lenses are to be used with an electric automatic flashing apparatus installed to give a characteristic of five seconds Hash and five seconds dark. It is essential that the mechanism in this connection should be the best, obtainable. Arrangements could be made to cable for the various fittings as soon as the Marine Department’s approval is obtained.

The matter of harbour: lighting was left in the hands of the Engineer. The Chairman said that the estimated cost of dredging, reclamation and associated works in the lagoon was £llB,OOO. and the Engineer would have a full report available at a later date.