HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7404, 12 August 1885, Page 6

HARBOUR BOARD.

The regular meeting of the Harbour Board was held yesterday. Present: Mr. Owen (Chairman), Mr. W. R. Waddel (Mayor of Auckland), Messrs. Davore, Winks, Niccol, Henderson, Aickin, Morrin, MoKtnzie, Clark, and Mays.—The minutes were read and confirmed.

Notice to Mariners.—The Minister of Marine forwarded notices respecting ballast ground at Tata Island, and dredging operations at Greyinouth harbour.—Agreed to give the usual publicity to the notice. South Australia.—The secretary of the Marine Board, Adelaide, forwarded results of tidal observations at Port Adelaide, Port Augusta, and Port Pirie ; also minutes re the stranding • and burning of the barque Fanny M, and the stranding and loss of the barque Mars, in regard to which enquiries had been held.—Agreed to acknowledge, and give the usual publicity. .New Zealand Scgar Company. — The manager reported that for some time the water on the north side of their wharf at Birkenhead had been steadily lessening by the accumulation of silt under tidal action, and now at low tide there was barely sufficient to float the lighter. He requested the servioes of the dredge to remove the accumulation of silt, as this was a public wharf. —Referred to the Engineer to report.

Tdo boat. —The New Zealand Sugar Company applied for a license for the steamer Zephyr to act as a tugiboat.—Agreed that the license be granted in accordance with the Harbourmaster's report. Sheds and Customs' Locks.Mr. Hill, Collector of Customs, wrote in regard to the resolution passed at the last meeting of the Board, allowing crown locks to be placed on the doors, that the Board was only asked to carry out the plan in operation in other ports, which was found to work well. He suggested certain detail arrangements.— Referred to the Works and Tariffs Committee to report, on the motion of Mr. Aickin, seconded by Mr. Devore.

Stage Rofks at the Dock.—Mr. Joseph Baird wrote on behalf of the shipwrights of Auckland that in consequence of the stage ropes belonging to the graving dock being very much worn they considered their lives and limbs endangered, and asked the Board to supply a new stock of the best quality four-inch rope not less than six fathoms long, and chains not lets than half an inch and half a fathom long. The Harbourmaster sent a memo, that new stage ropes were required, but it was not com pulsory to find such gear for the shipwrights (see dock by-laws).—Agreed, on the motion of Mr. McKenzie, [that the stage ropes be supplied. Calliope Dock.— Mr. Errington reported that fresh water oan be obtained for their requirements for machinery, etc., at a depth of 300 feet. He awaited further instructions as to preparing plana and specifications for sinking a shaft to a depth of 150 feet, at which depth circumstances may develop that might necessitate a change, as it might be found necessary to drive an adit at this depth. The cement-tcsting machine was delivered at the dock, and he was now preparing to prove its accuracy, and hoped to submit samples of briquettes at next meeting. The contractor was pushing forward the works as fast t\s he could, and had commenced the construction of the outer main coffer dam. A supplementary report dated the 11th inst., stated that be had tested the cement testing machine by

avoirdupois weight, and found it to bo very sensitive in its action, and correct on the register scale. He would have briquettes ready for testing in eight or nine days. The machine was a beautifully made instrument. - -Referred to the Works and Tariffs Committee, Mr. Errington to submit estimate of coat.

Harbour Act Amendment. —A letter was received from Messrs Russell and Campbell, re the claim for Mechanics' Bay reclamation. —It was moved to refer to the Finance and Endowments Committee, and an amendment was proposed by Mr, Clark " That the offer of the Minister of Public Works in his letter to the Board be accepted, and that a telegram be forwarded to the Minister of Public Works to that effect " —Mr. Aickin withdrew his motion in favour of this amendment. — Finally, it was agreed to adopt the suggestion of the solicitors, and have the case adjourned when it wai callod for.

LaMonte's Gold-saving Process. —Mr. A. Saunders, agent for Mr. LaMonte, asked for a remission or reduction of the charges for wharfage and storage.—The application was declined.

Wtnyard Pikk.—Telegraphic correspondence re access to Wynyard Pier was read between the Board ami the Minister for Public Works. The reply from the latter was that it had been referred to Mr. Maxwell, as it was a railway matter.The Mayor said he had interviewed the Minister of Public Works and the Minister of Justice and the reply was that they had no money for an overhead bridge.—Referred to the Works and Tariffs Committee to report upon. Works and Tariffs Commutes.—This committee reported re the letter of the Frozen Meat Company, enquiring if it was the intention of the Board to make a road on a portion of the land adjoining the company's property, that the company be informed that it was not the intention of the Board to reclaim the land referred to.— Re Mr. Greenwood's letter asking permission to make a fish depot of offices on Queenstreet Wharf, the committee recommended that as the application was contrary to the conditions of sale it be declined, and that the Engineer be instructed to report and submit plans for: first, gridiron for watermen, and 2nd, fishstall and necessary accommodation for same.— Re repairs to outer Western T, the committee recommended that tenders for the work be called, and twelve weeks allowed for completion.— Ke redecking Queen-street Wharf. The committee approved the plans and specifications, and fixed the time for completion at eight weeks. Re rubble wall, Freeman's Bay, the committee recommended that its consideration be deferred, and that the Board's Engineer consult with the City Engineer. Re Pilot Service, the Harbourmaster was requested to tarnish conditions in detail introducing the resolution of the Board respecting the abolition of compulsory pilotage. The report was taken seriatim by clauses, and adopted without alteration.

Finance and Legal Committee. — This committee's report was brought up: Re Engineer's report in reference to schedule of works for loan, the committee recommend that its further consideration be deferred, the Engineer to*prepare chart of his borings, estimates, etc. That the Harbour-master be requested to report on the probable effect of the proposed scheme on the navigation of the harbour. The committee recommended that the introduction of the Loan Bill be deferred till next session of Parliament. Re action v. Government for compensation, the committee recommended that the Solicitor's report regarding the action be adopted. Re Mr. Errington's account for report on Hobson-street: It was »greed to offer him a

sum similar to that paid to Mr. Ware for a similar duty. Re site for Sailors' Home : The committee recommended that any alteration now before Parliament, but suggested that the Sailors' Rest and Home Committee be assured that any subsequent arrangements or modifications submitted by them will be fairly considered by the Board. The accounts were submitted and passed for payment, and the following statement of finances was submitted and adopted : —General Account : Balance in bank, £1379 2s ; cash in hand, £S2 15s 91: total, £1461 17s 9d; accounts to be paid as above, £242 9a 9d ; balance, £1219 Bs. Loan Account: Balance in bank, £5167 8a ; cash on deposit, £107,000.

Northcote and Birkenhead. — Mr. Nicol presented a petition asking to have lamps erected at Northcote and Birkenhead Wharves, the residents undertaking to supply the oil and keep the lamps lighted. There were 55 signatures, and it was agreed that the Board supply and erect the lamps on these conditions.

Keel Blocks for Dock.—Tenders for keel blocks for the Auckland Dock were received as follows :—Chas. Hopkins, £100 ; Geo,. Nicol, £S9 ; Thos Austin, £117. The tender of Geo. Nicol was accepted.

Calliope Dock.—Mr. Devore moved, in accordance with notice, " That the Calliope Dock Engineer and the Consulting Engineer jointly report to the Dock Committee (at an early date) as to the desirability or otherwise of decreasing the amount of excavation at the upper end of the dock, for, say 200 feet, with the view of effecting a saving in concrete, by allowing the rock to remain in lieu of excavating and concreting." He said for some time past it had been a matter of discussion amongst engineers as to how far this concreting could not be reduced, and leave the sandstone to support itself. The contractor could not complain, for cinder the conditions the Board had power to diminish the contract. He believed expense would be saved, and that there was sufficient for the Engineer to report on.—Mr. Henderson seconded the motion—lt was opposed by Mr. Aickin, who objected to any tampering with the plans and specifications, and the thing was now impossible, as the excavation was already made.—Mr. .Nicol also opposed the motion. —Mr. Clark supported the motion to refer the matter to the Engineer, not that he believed the saving alleged could be effected, but they should have the best advice available.Mr. Winks opposed any tinkering at all with the dock or the contract.—Mr. McKenzie supported the motion, and Mr. Devore replied.The motion was lost on the show of hands.

Quay strket Tees. —The Chairman moved "That the Engineer be instructed to submit to the Works and TarilTs Committee, as soon as possible, plan, specification, and estimate for portions of two permanent tees of Quaystreet, to form buttresses for strengthening the sea wall, in order that the railway re clamation contract may be forthwith completed. The motion was discussed at some length ,is to whether one or two tees would be mosli advisable, and finally the motion was agreed to.