TIMARU HARBOUR BOARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIX, Issue 6872, 9 March 1883, Page 6

TIMARU HARBOUR BOARD.

The Board held a special and an ordinary meeting yesterday j preeent Mesirs W. Moody (Chairman), J. 8. Gibson, K. F. Gray, 3, H. flutter, J. Wii*on, J. Kelland, E. Acton, E. Klworthy, ML Jonas, and J. Talbot. BPXCIAI BUeIVXM. The Obaiman *aid tne special msetlcg bad been called to consider the proponed alteration of by-law*, relative to the berthage and loading of vectele. The Board (aa already notified) propose to initituto a higher scale of charge®. Several ahipper* had grumbled, but h® really did not eee any ground* for complaint*, a® inoh charge® were absolutely necessary and quite raaaonable. The Board resolved, on the motion of Mr El worthy, seconded by Mr Acton— ’* That bylaw No. 8 be altered in accordance with public notice, bearing date Feb. 27,1883, and that, under exceptional circumstances, a concettion will be made on the above rates it considered expedient by the Harbour Harter, and that the Board’s seal be attached to the by-law a* altered.” This concluded the (pedal business, and the ordinary meeting opened. * APOIOQT. Mr Alpheue Hayes* apology for unavoidable absence from the meeting was read. OHAIBMAB’B BTATBUSKT. The Ohamnsn stated he intended at every meeting to lay a brief statement of the transaction* of the month before the Board, by which member*, he thought, would ne made belter acquainted with the progress of work, Ac. He then submitted such a statement for the past mouth. coßßisroimxscß. The following waa read :■— From Moure Parry and Perry, re certain contracts. From Mr Sparrow, asking for aa extension of time for hi* contract for the •teamwinch. The Secretary said the delay was with the legal people, who kept the contracts back so long, and thus gave contractors an excuse for delay on their part. Mr Gray remarked that it was of no use baring solicitors if they did not do their duty. The concession was made as asked, and the Board’s seal waa ordered to be affixed to certain contracts, aa advised by the solicitors. The Marine Department notified the alteration of the limit* of the port. These have already been published. Messrs Ironmonger, of London, wrote asking the Bond to purchase their life-taring apparatus, a feature of which was a newlyinvented gun for rocket brigade purposes. The invention was now under consideration by the Boyal Naval authorities. The matter was referred to the Socket Brigade. KSAKC* OOMMITriB. The report of the Finance Committee, and certain correspondence in connection therewith, were read and discussed. Mr hi worthy was of opinion that the minimum of the loan shoald be fixed at par, and the currency at 50 yean instead of SO. Mr Sutter thought this matter should be left to the agents. Any interference by the Board would probably impede the loan. Mr Jonas was mum opposed to extending the currency to 50 years, in view of the fact that a further loan would have to be raised, and both would thus be repayable about the same time. Mr Gibson advocated leaving the matter to the agents. Mr Klworthy said the linking fund in 50 yean would fully repay the loan j and, besides, the fixing of the limit at 60 yean, would materially assist the floating of the loan. Mr Talbot thought Mr Jonas* objection was of no particular value j bat be would advocate fixing the loan at 08, not at par. Mr Jonas desired to explain himself; but Mr Sutter rose, and objected t* Mr Jonas jumping up and speaking again. Mr Jonas (to the Chairman): I addressed you, sir, with your leave. I am not addnesmg Mr flutter. • The Chairman thought in this matter there should be a little license allowed to member* when sneaking, and Mr Jonas proceeded to eay that he was most anxious that a future Board should not succeed to a legacy of clashing lean*. He regretted that any member saould blackguard another. It was moved by Mr Gibson, seconded by Mr Klworthy, and carried That the resolution passed May 11, 1882. fixing the currency of the loan at thirty year* be rescinded } alio the resolution passed on Jan. 18,1888, merely a* regard* the currency of the loan.” SINK IK Q fCK». Mr Gibson said he desired the Board not to institute a Sinking Fund for some year* to come at any rate. The Board had all it* work to do to hold its own financially, and it a Sinking fund were now started, the Board would have to fell back upon its rating powers, which he behoved every member wee anxious to avoid. Ur Sutter concurred. Ur Klworthy we* moot strongly of opinion that not to adopt a Sinking Fund would be to break faith with the public, and that he never would be a party to. Hi* remark* becoming warm, Ur Talbot naked whether there wee any motion before the Board. The Chairman said there waa not. Tbe diicuition arose out of tbe loon question. The matter then dropped. BXxvrxraM. Mr Klworthy said be desired to remark on the report of the Finance Committee—that in hi* opinion the Board’s teal should be sent home to Mr Walter Xeanaway, he bring ' authorieed to affix it to debenture*. Belore the seal left, however, a number of impmrion* might be taken for u*o in the ordinary way. Mr Acton remarked, a* a member of the Finance Committee, that the seal bnaiueet waa •rill lo abeyance. Mr Whitaker (the Fremier) for the Bank, and Mr Perry for the Board, war# ia conflict. Mr Talbot thought an “ impression *» would be of no nor* me than a postage •tamp. A seal was of no mine except when afflied to a document to presence of certain i specified pereone, Xhe matter dropped, and the Fioanee Oom- ; mlltee’a nportwaa adapted. , . exAnnas non ac*a»a«vs. Mr Sutter nfenrsd to certain excessive i ehargm for mooring* and other gear. Had j there been a Wocto Oounulttee Ibis wmU i

S3s SSiteftS eoold be expected to do *5? P aTJ r ’ W w® knew, the ptofenional ability 0 f th, ,!.•* h# and Harbour Master were renaL/ ; matter, not members’ kco»l«c K « ' ,uctl 4 Mr Jones i Sou are quite riaht u:, , what I was about to otoerv* * ’ ! l o ** Mr flatten They (the Harbour MeetEngineer) never did work of lb# kind tofif You might ee wtli do away with ih„ and Ist the Engineer and Harbour SSL' carry thing* out themselves ‘ It was to dispute tho ovrrchar,, when settling tb« bill, BOCKST BBlOadx. The Socket Brigade **k*d the Board to rant them a part of the £SO placed in i£ Board * hand* by Mr BeiiUH, The troa was referred to the Finance Commute* HABBOPS *A#lS»’g BXPOXT. ITie Harbour Matter’s report was read, it *tat«d that lb« aggregate tonnag# of m«i s at the port during the month was tons iowmrd* and 4672 ims outward*. 3he t a * Tifno had been token down to the d-xk Port Chalmers, and a solid hard c/urt a { barnacle* fully one inch thick bad been take© from her bottom. He drew attention to »h* larg* amount of wear and tear on h*w*-r» (touted by the rang# inside the breakwater woivm'i Btronr. The principal item* in this report were the cost of extending the breakwater in three different way*. First, it was stated it would cost £90,000 to carry oat the “cant’' from the end of the present contract. 2 It would cost £165,000 to carry oat the breakwater on the straight 600 ft, and then put on the “ cant “or tarn. 3. Extending tbe breakwater 6Coft would cost £BO,OOO. LANDING BXBTIOI SBPOBT. The report of the manager of the Land ice Service e'atod that 27 vessel* had arrired dunng the month, and 2019 ton* of good* had been landed and shipped. The gross earnings of the service amounted to £330 I* Bd, and the net esmiegs £93 3, Bd. He also drew attention to the fact that sacks of wheat were in many case# being mad* to contain more than four bushels. Ihe extra weight was felt by the mrn ia handling, and that extra weight exeseded a ton for the rsgulatioa number of sacks, which were shipped at a charge of St per ton.