HARBOR BOARD

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 569, 12 February 1891, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD

As ordinary meeting of the above was held on Tuesday evening. Present: Messrs Townley (Chairman), Bright, Sievwright, Shelton, Chrisp, Joyce, and DeLautour. Mr Kenny, who had been sent by the Marine Department to undertake the survey of the bay, wished for the use of the boat and office. Mr Joyce asked was Mr Kenny competent to do the work—he understood he had only been a cadet. The Chairman said he had been sent by the Marine Department, and was employed by that Department. Mr Kenny had informed him that the survey would be of a minute nature, not requiring to be gone over again. Mr Shelton supposed the Board would be made aware if any new dangers were discovered. Mr DeLautour said in that case it would be the duty of the Department to report to the Board. It was decided to grant Mr Kenny s request. Mr O’Neill, Motn road, wrote asking the Board to accept Mr Murphy at once as his transferee for 1658 acres of the endowment. The Chairman asked whether there was no restriction about transferring. The Secretary said the lease had not been signed yet—he had paid his first years rent. Mr Joyce : I can’t see that there should be any objections. The Chairman proposed that the request be complied with, and Mr Bright seconded. Captain Chtisp : Provided that Mr Murphy agrees to accept. Mr DeLautour did not think they could transfer without the Board’s consent, but they should get Mr Murphy’s acquiescence. The request was acceded to, on condition that Mr Mnrphy formally agreed. Mr DeLautour said it would have to be done by resolution of the Board after Mr Murphy’s consent had been obtained. The Wharfinger applied to have the large tank on the Kaiti cleaned out. Mr Shelton thought some reference should have been made in the report to the trollies lying about the lines. A trolly was allowed to ba used by the Union Company on condition that it was looked after.—Decided to refer the matter to Mr Witty’s attention. It was decided to get the tank cleaned out. Mr Shelton thought something should be done to prevent such an accumulation of water on the viaduct, retting the wooden atruoture. It seemed as if a few holes bored through would be sufficient. The Chairman said that could easily be done.

It was decided to ask the Wharfinger to report on lha subject. The Harbormaster reported that the soundings in the river were very good—22ft at the end of the pier. In regard to the collilion of the ketch Comet with one of the beacons ths Captain had given an order for £3 10s for the necessary repairs. The Chairman said the soundings were very Utufactory.

The Napier Harbor Board wrote enclosing Cheque for the full amount of the damaged sacking about which there was some doubt, Ths following payments were passed :— Standard £2 16s 6d, A. R. Muir £8 13s, Street and 00, £1 3s, Wages £3 13s.

In reply to Mr DeLautour the Secretary skid the calling of the rate as advertised had been approved of by resolution of the Board—it was done in October. In reply to Mr Bright the Secretary said £3OOO was outstanding in rates, including £6OO not yet received from Government. He Was suing for ell overdue rates. In reply to Mr Shelton the Secretary said there would be sufficient money in hand to pay interest—it would be all provided for Without touching loan money. The Chairman said there was clearly provision for the interest due in April. Mr Bright: Is there a chronic amount of £BOOO rates overdue ?

The Chairman said that in the early days there had been much doubt about the method of striking rates, but on the whole he thought they had done very well. Mr Joyce referred attention to the necessity of a jetty for the convenience of passengers to and from the steamers. He did not think the outlay would be more than judicious, Mr Sievwright thought the Harbormaster might make provision for removing vessels. The Chairman said latterly the vessels bad been at times three deep and it would be very inconvenient shifting them. The matter had been discussed before and it had been concluded that a jetty would be much the better

thing. Captain Chrisp said when the tide went down most of the vessels touched bottom, and could not well be removed. In reply to a remark by Mr Shelton, Captain Cbrisp said the best place for a jetty would be just above the wharf. It was resolved on the motion of Mr Joyce, Seconded by Captain Chrisp, that the Harbormaster be instructed to give a report on the probable cost of a jetty. The Chairman brought up the question of placing one of the cranes on the wharf. Mr Shelton said the crane would be an Obstruction on the wharf, but the Chairman said it would be no more obstruction than Other things required, such as lamp-posts. The Chairman moved that the crane be erected, provided the cost did not exceed ' Mr DeLautour suggested that the matter he left to the Chairman to arrange. The latter suggestion was agreed to, on the motion of Mr Sievwright. Captain Chrisp directed attention to the necessity for the Board procuring a heavy cable and making other provision for the ■afe anchorage of vessels in the harbor. On two recent occasions the reputation of the port had been endangered because vessels pad been jeopardised by the want of proper material for safely anchoring, and also neglecting to get the services ot the pilot. He estimated that the proper cable could be got for £l6O, and he believed that the cost would soon be recouped. Only the other day the Rangitikei had nearly gone ashore at Napier through not having the proper chains, and it had cost £6OO to get per towed to Wellington, with the other large expenses besides. Mr Joyce thought it would be too much of a speculative nature for the Board to expend £l6O on chains that the captains might never use. papUin Chrisp said when he drew up his suggestions, he was nnder the impression that compulsory pilotage could be enforced, but on writing and making enquiries from Other places doubt on the subject had been Created in his mind. Nevertheless he thought the suggestions worthy of consideration, and believed that if the Board procured chain of the required size it would be a gain. He did not favor laying down a Special anchorage. Mr Bright said that masters of vessels Went with the idea that their vessel was properly equipped for anchoring in a roadstead, and they would not be likely to hire appliances provided by the Board. Captain Chrisp dissented from this opinion, and said the vessels could not well carry with them the chain that would give the additional gecurity of one that could be kept an share tad used when required, It was decided to leave the matter in abeyance for the time being.