HARBOUR BOARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 9431, 4 June 1891, Page 3

HARBOUR BOARD.

’ LYTTELTON, An ordinary meeting of the Lyttelton Harbour Board was Bold at 2 p.m. yesterday. ; present—Mr H. W. Peryman (Chairman), Messrs P. Cunningham, : E, Westenra,’ J. B. Milsom, E. G. Wright, t. Gibbs, J. E. Thacker, F. Graham, Captain M'Clatohie and the Hon J. T. Peacock. chairman’s statement. The Chairman made the following statement : Since our last meeting the following, sums have been paid into the Board's account: —Wharfage, .£1650 loa 6d; pilotage and port charges for May, £370 5s 3d; towage, warps, Ac., £476 0s 8d; transfer.ftom fixed deposit, £3900; interest on fixed deposit, £2l0 1 total, £5707 le 4J. The bank book shows that our credit balance today is £2812 7e4d,dnd we have, in addition, on fixed deposit, £14,325, making a total credit of £17,137 7s M. Accounts'will be presented to-day for payment amounting to £1393 11a 6d. The Harbour Improve'.nieEt Committee’s report, No. 66, will ha brought up for consideration to-day. You will notice that the Committee has left tho question of widening the Screw Pile Jettyfor the full Boardtodecide. I received a letter from Mr Gaw, the Traffic Manager, op! the subject, this morning. He points out the inconvenience caused to the railway, and great delay to the steamers by , the insufficient accommodation on this jetty, more especially when two steamers are working, tho wharf only being wide enough for three lines of rails. I.need baidiy spy that this is tho first official intimation the Harbour Board hue had from tho Railway Department on tho subject.’ Tho question of extending the low-level: breastwork came under the notice of the Harbour Improvement Committee when it was in Lyttelton on Monday last. Much inconvenience is at present experienced by the railway in working the present lowlevel breaatworkj and its extension would, greatly facilitate tho discharge of the bay trad ere, and' meet a much felt., local requitoment for a, better cart access to the wharf used by vessels trading to the bays. Inspector Darbidge estimates the cost of 120 rt, for labour and iron only (the Board, using tiniber'-ift atek.i’sonle of; dt being second-hand), at £856. This would give berthage spaed for two vessels Of .the mentioned class. -Plane would have to, be sent to Wellington’ should “the ‘Board decida to do this wharf extension. Since our our ; (lynamo -bfokq down,, aiid T succeeded in 'purchasing*' ad eighth' light Gii'.cher dynamo for £BS. -This enabled our electric littht system to, be maintained and our other dynamo to be repaired, and will keep the service going until our repaired machine is fixed in the new building, I will ask the Board to confirm my action in this matter. Further correspondence between the Board and the Railway Commissioners in regard to the demurrage claim and scarcity of trucks is on the table. This correspondence has already appeared in the papers. The draft petition in regard to No. 5 shed baa been prepared by, our solicitor who is in attendance. It will be necessary to pass a resolution appointing certain of the members of tho Board to sign aud seal the petition. Captain Clark applied for a month’s leave of absence to enable him to visit Australia. I recommend that leave be granted him. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £1393 11s 6d were passed for payment. HARBOUR IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE. The following i report of the Harbour Improvement Committee was read: — “ (1) Screw-pile Jetty Widening. The Committee resolved that the consideration of this matter be left to tho Board to decide. (2) Cart Access to the Ocean Steamers’ Jetty and the Gladstone Pier.— The Committee was of opinion that this is a matter upon which the petitioners should approach the Railway Commissioners through tho medium of the Lyttelton Borough Council, as the Harbour Board has no jurisdiction over the intervening lines of rails. (3) Repairs to Boad to Bathing Place and Sandy Bay. The Committee deferred making any recommendation on this matter, and in the meantime recommends that the Board’s hulk Minna Bell bo offered to the Lyttelton Borough Council to be used as a floating, bathing place. (4) Pilot Le win’s Application for Increase of Pay.—With regard to Pilot J.' Lawih’a ■ application, dated April 27, 1891, for an increase of pay, the Committee point out thatunder a previous resolution . of the Board, such applications are Only - to be considered : at the close of each financial year, (5) Letter from Grey Valley Coal Company—Loss of Coal.—ln reference to a representation made by the Grey Valley Coal Company as to alleged loss consequent upon fine coal falling through the spaces in tho wharf decking, your Committee has no recommendation to make on this question. The harbourmaster’s attention has been called to the matter.”

Captain M'Clatohie moved—" That, now that the Screw-pile Wharf is to be repaired and remodelled, the present time rs opportune to widen the jetty sufficiently for placing thereon two extra lines of rails to allow of increased accommodation to the steamers loading and discharging at the said wharf. Knowing that the said work is requisite, 2 move that the Board consents to its being earned out at a cost not exceeding £3300.” Mr Milsom seconded the motion. A letter was received from'Mr Gaw, railway traffic manager, calling attention to the inconvenience caused to the Department, and the great delay to steamers, by the present insufficient accommodation on No. 2 wharf.

Mr Wright opposed the motion, and moved, as an amendment—“ That Mr Gaw’s letter be forwarded to the Railway Commissioners, and that they be asked to show the Board what increased accommodation, if airy, is considered neceaaa?y for the public convenience.” Mr Westenra seconded the amendment.

A letter waa received from Mr George lambie, local Manager of the Union Steamship Company* abating that the proposal to widen No. 3 Wharf would have the Company’s heartiest sympathy, as it had experienced inconvenience and delay in working iia steamers at that wharf.

Captain M'Glatohie read a letter, from the Lyttelton Manager of the Union Steamship Company ibo the same effect. The Hon J. T. Peacock and Mr Milsom opposed both motion amd amendment. Mr Cunningham capported the amendment.

The Chairman and . Mr Gibbs opposed the motion.

The amendment wast-carried Dy six votes to four.

The Chairman ruled that the motion had not been superseded by the amendment. Mr Graham moved ais a further amendment—“ That the redacting of the. Screwpile Jetty be proceeded, with at once, making provision for widening it in the future if required.” • Mr Wright seconded the amendment. It was resolved to take Mr Graham’s amendment as a separate motion. Captain M’Clatchie’s motion was then negatived on the voices., The remaining clauses of the report were adopted. ' Mr Graham’s proposition was then put as a separate motion, and carried went, eon, MISCELLANEOUS. On the motion of Mr Wright, seconded by Captain M'Clatchie, it was resolved to esctend the low-level breastwork by 60ft, and to put the work in hand at once. The action of the Chairman in purchasing another dynamo was confirmed. The tender of the Grey Valley Coal Company for the eupply of coal -was accepted. Two tenders for the supply of wrought iron were received, and the was authorised to accept one. It was decided to have the petition to Parliament, .with reqpect to No. j 5 Shed printed, imd that the Chairman .should call a special meeting to-oonsider it. It was decided to grant Captain Clark one month’s leave of absence. ‘, ■lt was resolved that .the .next uqeefcicg, should be.,h»ld; at, Christchurch. at 2‘p.m, on Wednesday, July 1. Themeeting then closed.