HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 65, 10 November 1887, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

The Board met on Tuesday evening, there being present Messrs Bievwright (Chairman), Chambers, Matthewson, Dickson, Townley, Porter, tmd Gannon, OBSTRHCTIONS TO NAVI OATION. In the outgoing correspondence was a letter to the Marine Department re the supposed rocks in the Bay, stating that it would be premature to act upon the recommendation that it was understood Captain Fairchild intended to make- -such a course would in the opinion of nautical mon be unnecessary and injurious to the interests of the place. Reasons for this request were also sent. CBOWN AND NATIVE LANDS,

The Government acknowledged the receipt of letter in reference to native lands. A letter from Mr Graham was received explaining how the matter at present stood. It was agreed that Mr Graham’s attention be again called to the rating question. LANDING ACCOMMODATION. The Union Company wrote calling the attention of the Board to the bad landing accommodation, and urging the Board to make some provision for this defect. The letter suggested that instead of goi- g to expense on the stage higher up, a staging might be run out somewhere above the wharf. With reference to this matter the Committee appointed at la<t meeting to open tenders for the jet y reported that they had received the following tenders: —Somerville £2B 14s, Hall and Co £36, P. McLoughlin £32 iOs. lhe Committee resolved that the tenders be left to the Board to deal with, also a letter received from the U.B.S. Co. Mr Matthewson said that on examination they thought the best place to run a jetty out to accommodate the Snark would be about opposite th'e Courthouse—the Snark could not get under the bridge except at low water Major Porter said there was no doubt some provision should be made for the accommodation of passengers. He had also intended to bring before the Board at some time the necessity of providing a waiting room for passengers, especially ladies and children. This did not matter much in the summer time, but it was very unpleasant on the winter nights. He thought it would be better to consider the- question of a jetty and waiting room together, and deal with the tenders separately. Mr Gannon did not see why there could not be special accommodation made at the wharf for the Snark. He thought that when steamers were expected a place for the Snark should be kept vacant at the wharf.

Mr Chambers thought it just as well to leave the matter over for a fortnight, it could not make much difference, and he believed Mr Gannon’s suggestion could be acted upon. Mr Townley considered it would be best to decide about the tenders first. The proper course appeared to be to return them. If they were going to erect tt>e jetty now suggested, plans would have to be prepared, etc., and it would be some months before it be done, A flight of steps on tWold jetty, costing about five pounds would answer all purposes for the present He moved that the tenders be returned.

Thisjpvas agreed to, and a sum not exceeding five pounds to be spent on ths work. The other proposal wag left for the Engineer and a Committee, consisting of Messrs Townley, Matthewson, and Bievwright to report on. FINANCE COMMITTEE. The Finance Committee reported that they would recommend the Board do not depart from their previous instructions to the Commissioners to only lend money on freehold security. They recommended a payment of £149 5s 5d to the Commissioners, being the balance of the yearly payment of £2OOO, £lB5O 14s 7d having been collected as interest on outstanding loans. The report was adopted. habbor-masteb’s mpobt.

The Harbor Master reported as to the number of vessels towed in, and out. The bar and river continued good. There are two rocks which it is very desirable should be removed, as the channel runs between them and is very narrow. The partition fence between the harbor reserve and Mr H. E. Johnston’s is in a very delapidated state. Parts have been blown down and are now propped up on each side. The Engineer was instructed to give an estimate of the cost of removing the rocks, and the Harbor-master to arrange with Mr Johnston about the fence, each to pay half. engineeb’s bepobt. The Engineer reported that the locomotive had been thoroughly overhauled, and was now in thorough repair. The sand-pump had been fitted in the punt and launched. Blockmaking had been stopped for a time owing to the want of a locomotive, but was now again resumed, and 275 blocks were in stock. Mr Knox, stone contractor, had commenced supplying metal. The parts of the setting machine gearing were being unpacked and cleaned, and they would begin erecting it when they had put one more block in position. The report was adopted. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £792 6s were passed, the wages sheet being £227 4s 3d. There were a few remarks made in reference to an additional account, from Johnston and Co , Wellington, but as it was in accordance with agreement the amount ‘(£2s) was passed. In reference to several iteir s in tlio Engineer’s department, Mr Dickson said prices jshould be got ftorn the different tradespeople for such things.