HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 41, 15 September 1887, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

Tax Harbour Board met on Tuesday night. Present: Messrs Sievwright (Chairman), Chambers, Porter, G. L. Sunderland, Dickson, Matthewson, socks in the bat. The Marine Department wrote, Covering a letter from Captain Sinclair, of the s s. Tarawera, stating that while his vessel was anchored in the Roadstead the rudder bumped on a rock. No damage done, but he had to shift. He applied that the bar be surveyed. Mr-Chambers said the question was one of national and not local importance, The Government should tell them where they were going to get the money from to make the survey, The expenditure'might be objected to by the Auditor-General. Mr Sunderland considered it was the duty of the Government to make the.survey. Mr Townley asked whether the granting of the request meant the expending of much money. In answer to a question the Harbour Master said there were a number of small rocks in the roadstead that were Hot on the chart Mr Dickson said the Engineer had already made soundings, and he iuggetted that from those soundings the Government should have a chart made. The question was ultimately allowed to stand .over until the Harbour Master reported on it. . A BEQUEST TOR SBAVEL. Mt J. T. Khigbt wrote for permission to remove 40 or 50 yards of shingle from Tusmotu. The metal was required for asphalting a part of the footpath in Gladstone Hoad. Mr Chambers proposed that the request be granted. Mr Matthewson said if the Board required the shingle they should not give it away. In answer to a question the Engineer said if the request were granted there would be no harm done, but as the Board wanted the gravel the line must be drawn somewhere. The request was agreed, the permission not to be looked upon as a precedent. washing Away of nesbitt boad. The Borough Council wrote drawing attention to the fact that the tide was washing away that portion of the road to the eastward of the Waikanae ford, and asking that some steps be taken in the matter. The Clerk said that a Committee appointed on the subject had already reported against the acknowledging of any liability. Mr Dickson said that at a previous meeting he had suggested that something should be done in the matter. He aid not think a protection of some kind would cost much, and even the property owners would possibly bear some part of the expense Major Porter said he entirely disagreed with Mr Dickson. They should not for one moment begin to -Acknowledge any such claims. He would ask that the Engineer report •V. hether the harbour works are causing the damage complained of. Mr Chambers, while agreeing that the claim should not he recognised said the works on the ea»t--rn side of the river should be extended, which would provide greater facilities for shipping. Mr Townley was against the request, and said there was no more damage being done now than before. There was no chance of doing what Mr Chambers proposed as the loan could not be diverted towards such a work.

Mr Chambers contended that the Board bad power basmach as the - money for the railway bridge could be diverted to a more necessary work. It was decided to leave the question to the Engineer to report on. BEAD CATTLE ON THE BEACH. The Borough Council wrote applying for a refund of £2 12s for the burial of cattle found dead on the beach. Major Porter said the Board were liable, but they should have been notified of the nuisance. Mr Sunderland moved that the sum be paid. It was necessary that nuisances should be removed. This Was carried. PUBLIC WOBKS COMMITTEE. The Public Works Committee’s report, as follows, was adopted. With reference to ths damaged cement supplied by Wingate, Burna and Co., it vraa resolved to recommend the Board to leave the matter in the hands ot the Engineer lor the present. engineer’s bepobt. The following report was read and adopted During the fortnight we have been principally engaged in blockmakii.g. There are now 142 in stock- The filling in at the end of the viaduct ia almost finished and half of the Berenice rails are laid. In accordance . with Mr Townley’s motion I have prepared a schedule containing the principal articles we will require. It is practically impossible to include everything, but I think the schedule will be workable. A specification and conditions of contract are also attached. If the Board decide tenders could be in by next meeting. About 540 casks of cement were landed on the 29th and 30th of last month. On opening the casks with Scale’s brand, I found they had been damaged by damp and were unfit for our work. I then gave the contractors notice on Sept 3 and again on Sept 10, telling them we bad only enough cement to laat till Monday evening. I bad two telegrams to-day saying the steamer would leave Auckland to-night with the balance of the contract. Meantime we are out of cement. Messrs Johnston and Co. telegraph that the Blair Drummond left Wellington at 3 to day, so we may expect her on Friday.

The Engineer explained relative to the cement that out of the 120 or 130 casks of Scales’ brand he had examined 10 and found them damaged. He had given notice to the contractors to remove the balance, and notified that the Board would hold them responsible for any delay. Communications had passed between them, and on receipt of a telegram that the same brand (guaranteed) would be sent he wired that it would not be accepted. In spite of this he had received a wire that the same brand had been shipped by the Janet Nicol. In answer to a question the Engineer said the works were stopped. He had knocked off eight men that day and would have fo knock off 20 or 30 the next day.