GTAGO HARBOUR BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6644, 1 June 1883, Page 2

GTAGO HARBOUR BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the Board wag held yesterday afternoon. Present:—The Chairman (Mr H. S. Fish, M.H.R»), Messrs Barron, Burns, Burt, Guthrie, Mill, Paterson, Ramsay, and Ross. BANKISG ACCOUNT. The bark-book was laid on the table, showing a debit balance of £28,082 6s 3d. CLAIM FOn BEI'AIKS TO LILUE DENHAM. Mr T. H. Bodson wrote claiming £45 17s Od for repairs to steamer Lillie Deuham, required to place her in as good order as she was when handed over to the Board for a month's trial,—The letter was referred to the Works Committee. TIIK CHAIRMAN'S MISSION TO WELLINGTON. The following report by the Chairman was read:— Dunedin, May 28thj 1883. To the Members of the Otago Harbour Bcrd. Gcnrfomfcii.-Iu accordance with a resolution of the Board, I,on tho 12th inst., proceeded ro Wellington f.,v r .ho purpose «,f laying the Board« pirns for the improvement of the Otagu bar before the Govern' mout, and nffordins >-uch iiiforinnion as w<uld enable ihem to give tho Boaid thi- b riofit of their advice in a satisfactory mannrr. Although this was the primary object of uiy visit, I deemed the opportunity a favuurab'o one for bringing inder tho notice of the Uo ernment several other matters of importance to tho Board, and about which thero had been correspondence to a Kicater or lesser ext. iv between tho Board and tho Govo nment. On the M' nday after my arrival in Wellinsrtnn I waited upon the Premier and thu (Colonial Treasurer, and at their request submitted in writing ihe various matters upon wh.ch I desired tho favourable consideration of the Government I accordingly funvaided tho following letters:—

Occidental Hotel, Wellington, May 14th, 188: The Hon. the Pi emit r.

Sir,—l have been requested Ivy tbo Otago local hodi. s interei-tcd to as-jcrtaiii the- intention i.f ihe Gnvernnient with regard to tho matters mendoned below, and will feel obliged if, after consideration of them, yon will appoint a time when I maysecjou therein, viz :—

1. The handing over to Trust al moneys received by the Government as rents from building-, «c. on the Trust's endowment since pissing of Act of 18dl. 2. Tnc granting to the Trust an endowment (either in moi.( y or land) equivalent in value; to lhat portion ol its endowment now proposed to be taken for railway purposes. 3. Introduction of clause in proposed Act enabling Harbour Board to prct'O'd nilli construction of dVJt ou; of other funds, pending taisina oi a epeuial loan. OTAIiO IiARSOMt Bj.IRD. 1. Ab.ilition ol differential rates by repeal of clause 12, "utasro Harbour Board Endowment Act, 1875." 2. Handing over to Board the control of wharves at Port Chalmers. ?. If above nnt conceded, what moans of obtaining revenue to provide for drudging at Tort Chaimeis wha.'vcs and basin?, and fur general improvement of Lower llarhour, bar at Heads, & ~ will Government provide. 4. What portion of bill forwarded by Board Government propose to mlopt. I'ROI'OSED WORKS AT OTAOO HEADS. 1. What couruo G^verianent propose to rcconmend B;ard to take herein.—l have, so., H. S. Fibii, Jox Occidental H.,tei, Wellington, May 14th, ISS3. The Hon. the Treasurer and Minister of Marine. Sir, 1 have been requu ted by the Otago H.trbour Board to ascertain from you your intei tion with regard to tub s.-bjects mentioned below, aim will netted if, after contideration of them, you will appoint a time when I may see you pers nally 1. E-eeiion of foghorn cr syron at Otago Heads. Lmte to Department, lath Mardi, ISSI. 2. Wreck cliar.s, Boaid of Trade letter. Letter to Department, Maieh fflith, iSB3.

3. Charges for inspecting Board's plant, boiler, and machinery. Utter to Department, Audi Win, 188J i. Sotting aside shud in which goods not ivtuav,d f<om wharf and railnay ehtil- cuuld be placed in order to becuro more speedy despatch of shiijs—virtually, creation of Qu.eu's Bend.

6. Sit-nt turner nf lia'tray street on railway re> serve for erection of Harbour UoaidolH es.

6. Proposed it orks at Otagi Head-i.—l have, &c 11. «. Hi-ii, Jvx , Chairman Otago Hariour Board.

Wellington, May 14th, 188 To tho Hon. the Minister of Marine.

Sir,—l have the honour lo intimate that tho plans anil .specifications fur the projrsed work at the Otago Heads bar are now prepared, mid in my charge for the ptnpo-:oof bting t ubmitted lo- the approval of the Guvernor-iii-Council. 1 beg old •to inform you that Mr G. M. Barr, the Otaxo Harbour Board's engineer, will be in Wellington to'ni.ht (or the purpose of conferring with the Uovumment and its Maiii-o Engineer upon this subject Will you be good enough to inform mo to whom I shall forward the plan*, and also when iit Barr can di-euss tho same with the Marine Engineer. As both Mr Barr and myself are anxious to return to liunwln as spconily as possible, I thail be much obliged if you will arrange an interview as speedily au you can. I have, «c .

H. 8. Fisit, Jus., Chairman citato Har..our Board. In answer to this correspondence, 1 rec-ived the fo] lowing'loply from the Colonial Treasurer : —

Govurnmtnt Buildings, U'ollii.gtou, lUh May, ISS3. Sir,—l havo tho honour to acknowledge tho receipt of your letter of this day's date, and to inf rm you in reply that tho plans then in referred to should be sent t'l trie Secretary of the Marine Department. The M»rini- Engineer will bo ready at his office to meet and confer with tho engineer to ytur Board at .1.3u a.m. to-.i.orrow, at which time I sball also he glad to see you at tho Government Builutugs. - 1 have, tit:,

If. A. AIKIXSOX. 11. S. Fish, Esq., M H R., Chairman

Otago Harbour B.ard, Sc, Occidental Hotel, Wellington.

In answer to my communication to the Prfniier I was infi/rnied that the mattota referred to *ould he (.■artfully considered in GUbiiut, and the result com municated t> me tnereaftvr. Tho Board will observe that amongst the matters submitted fjr tho caiinideration of the G: vemment were come in connection with the position of the Dock Tiuut; and although at n;st> m^ht it may appear lhat tl.ia is a matter out^id'j tho present function* or tho floan, jt-t i.a we know it to lie tho intention of the Guve'.nn.ent to trautfer the res..o.-,Bibili(iy of conatruutinir tile new dock to the Harbour li-ard, the future in conn ction with this important woik becomes aqiiestbu of intense iutero.it to tho Bourd at. the present time. 1 therefore make no apology for mentioning it in my report 1 ho subject first in importance was r he consideration of iho Hoard's phns for the pr ip sid works at Otago Heads, and after this question had been considered by the Government I received tho following letter 'from, the Minister of Marino:-

Government Buildings, | Wellington, May IGth, 18S3. Sir,- Referring to your letter of the 15th iust., in which you foiward plans and epecificati.ma of proposed works nt Otago Meads, and io what passed at tlio interviews y.u have hid win myself and uith tho Marine Engineer Id regard to those works, 1 hive now the honour to inform you that ilr lilaeketc. having examined the documents in qncitkin, ha* reported that in his opinion these works would, if properly curried out, achieve the desired result; at the i-ame time, as they are of very great importance, and the exj-'endi tire thereon will necessarily be large, he lecommends that a copy of the plans and specifications .-hould be sent to Sir Jchn Coodo by your board in oMer that ho may report on the proposal. To cnablo him to do this, the information he formerly asked for should bo supplied tv him by the Boaru, and the plans, &c. uihht tie despatched by tho outgoing mail, any further information requited being sent by the next Suez mai* or by cablegram. Tho Government, having regard to the great importance of the prupusid work not onlytoOtago hut to thu whole Colony, after careful consid>.-iation, entirely concurs in this recommendation, and trusrs that jour Board will recognise thu advisability of giving effect t« i>. Wore committing its. If toso large an outla.\ |as will be required for carrying out the works referred to.—l have, &c, H. A. Atkinson. U.S. Heh, Esq., M U.K., Ch.iliman Oiago Uaroour Hoard, &c. Upon receipt ijf this communication I forwarded the following lector to iliu Minister: - Wellington, May lOtb, 1553. The Hon. Major Atkinson, Minister of Marino.

t-ir, —1 havo the honour to acknowledge the roceipt of your favour of Ihia day's dato, referring to tho prop.'sod irorksat Otago Head', tht; plans for which have been suumi tod for thu cnnaMorati>>n of your Government, and desire to express my gratification that they shouH have m«t wMi thu aprroval of tho Harino Kngineer (ilr Blackett), and that he has roporteo. favourably thereon. With regard to his recommendation, which is (indorsed by the Government, that before commencing co important a work, tho plans, specifications, lie. should bo tmbmiuod to Sir John Cuodc for iiia report, 1 may say that whilst 1, in ooninion with others, will regret extremely the delay in proceeding with these wo»ks which tho adoption of this course will involve, yet I cannot but tbink that thy bu^gestion— in viow of the iuiportiuco, mji"nitude, and Colonial character of the work—is a sound

Uno, which meets with my concurrence. I havo telegraphed tho fecretary to call a special meeting of the Board for to-morrow (Thursday) morning, to lay fcbo views of the Government beforo it, and to obtain perniiVioii to forward the plans and specifications to .Sir J. Cootlo by tho mail leaving here on Saturday next. 1 have, on behalf of the board, to express my thanks for the prompt and hearty consideration klvoii this subject by .your Ooven mont, nnd particularly nuto »itu approval its recognition of the deo. cuing of tho Olaso bar as a woik of Colonial importance.— 1 have, &c., 11. S. Fisn, Juk. Tho letter itself is sufficiently oxp'anatory of my'uwn views on this subject, bo that 1 need not trouble tho B->ard further wilh them. Aa you aro ttwaro, J telegraphed the Board for instructions, and upon receipt ot those I fonvardod the following letter to tho Hod. Major Atkinson: — May 18th, 1883. The Hon Major Atkinson. Sir,—l have tho honour to inform you that I havo received full authoriiy from tho Otago Ilurbuur Board to forward tho planti for iho improvement of the bar to Sir John Coode, as suggested by the Governniont. It now only romains, therefore, for you to deuido whothor thoy should bo sent by tho Governmcn,t or by niyyolf as Chairmau of the Uoard. I may en. i that, acting under the bolief that you would prefer the latU-r conrHO, I have eaiii-ed a letter to bo prepared for tmiMnißsion to Sir John Coode containing all the information which 1 dotm necetaaryand which is at present available. Aa this is bo, perhaps it will be as well that tho document should go from tho Board, the Government alao writing fully on tho subject, and BtiMn;,' that they aro sent at th'ir suggestion ; and in that caae perhaps you would bo good enough to urge quick dispatch upon Sir John, as it ia most important that wo should proceed with tho work aa soon aa possiblo.—l havo, &c, H. S. Fish, Jun., Chairman Otago Harbour Board. To which 1 recoivod tho following roply:- - Government Building?, Wellington, lSth May. IBSS. Sir,—ln reply to your leltir of this day's dato, I bug to Hlato that (he Govenm.onfc entirely "concur in the courso jmu propose to adopt of forwarding direct to Sir J. Coode tho plans aud documents therein referred to. In comp'ianco with your request, I have written to Sir J. Cooilo, mgl-.,g him en favour tho Board with his report on the proposed works with aa li.tie delay aa possible.—l have, Jfcc,

11. A. Atkinson. 11. S. Fish, Esq., SI.U.K.. Chairman of tho Otaj;o Harbour B jnril, &c. In addition to tho inforraa-ion alluded to herein, the Jlajnr informed mo that the Government had sent tho report uf the survey niadob.v Mr O'Connor, and all other information in tho possfesion of the Government. I accordingly debpatched hy tho S*n Francisco mail .leaving Wellington on tho 10th iost. the piano i

and specifications of the proposed works to Sir John O:ode, accompanied with the following letter' from myself and ineinoratiiia from Mr Burr, «vhUi I think lairly represent tno wishes of tho Bourd as cuiivuyud to me by tele^rim:—

, , W"o.iin,;ton, Neiv Zealand, Slay 17th, 18S3. To sir John Cooile, D.B. Hr,—on behal; of thu Otaso flr.r! our Koard, I hive i oiv tho li /i,our to send four sheets ot drawings ami i.no fpoeilienti-jil ilusciiptive of woks wiiiv.li Ihu Uoird cle iie wicrryiiut at the Oago Ileutl*. but whien, heliire calling fjr tenterf, yojr < pinion Lhoio.ni is desir d. Jn O nbmitting lhu-u t-jyuu I wiJi lo explain ex.ielly.tho positinn of thb Board, and the cirenmnun. lm wii en l:al-e l«-on iii«tr«iituiilai in induci X them niMisgc-ttiicxe works, «hich are inly a initial earrini4 out of your arjjer scheme laid tiefoietnem in IS -.0. When thnt wao time und( t ihoir consideration it «»> felt tnac tho financial position of the Board wa< such ai to preclude their undertaking the ivln.le of the wctks there indicated ; nor is their pstition yet of .- ueh a nature as to enable tin m to /ace the proli.'ible l*me expenditure uf your complete rcheme f. r a treat manj years without unduly iuereasin* ilieduea upon thippiuir. At the same tune the conviction is furced upon the Board that works of a nature such as you suggested, even t .oujh only to a partial extent, aro absolutely necessary to bo v denakeu at once tor ihe iinproveiucnt of tho depth on tho bar, and it is intoiided to go on with tho parts now submitted fur your opinion, even though the improvement of the cumsuf the channel immediately inhido ihe Heads snould be delayed and allowed to proceed in a moro leiturely fashion, and accjidlng at lutniß may allow in the future. Fcelir.g this, the Board have instructed their engineer to prepare drawing! end speciticitions for worki such as hs might consider absolutely ncceas-ary to effect a change in the tidal cunents outside me Heads, cf such a nature ua to ensure greater scour and yrea'er depth on the bar. We. aio advised by that offijer tbat the works represented upon the drawings *cut by this Lur.il will attain this o<-ject, and lat, you havea^eacly given itycur c The Board ha* c authoiised me to submit the proposal* for ,\our opinion, and especially with regard to the followinu points. In in-.

viting >our decision upon them, I have also to request )ou to be good enough to telegraph replies to the fcd'enl quirks according to code underneath, as under present conditions of the b;ir, and the pr. speet of the immediate oytiiing of a direct trade hctwi en New Zealand and Great Britain by n class of deepdMUjjht sieamors, the. Board are auxious that as little de'ay as possible shuuld oi cur. QUKRJBS. Whether the works proposed to be carried cut at present will prejudice the complete tchome in any manner? Tor " Vo-," telegraph "Alpha"; for "No," telegraph " Beta " Whether y,,u approve of tho materials and general mode of construction? For "Yes," teiegiaph " Uamina" ; for '• .no," telegraph " Delta " Whether you consider it pioper and safe to carry out tne west wall to ttie full length shown on the Taiaroa Head J For " Yee," telegraph •• Five" ; for Whi-the you consider estimate which wiil be sent you by next mail a f.iir turn for the work? Kor I'Ye-," lelegraplt "Oue"; for ■•So," telegraph Or if the whole subject should present itself to your mind in such a manner as that you wuuld prefer .i'her to advise to go on w.th ihe co..tract, or for ihe Boaid | to await a full written icprrtfroni vnuuponti.e wi\ole matter, please telegraph as follows:-'' Call lor tenders," tele^-r,»ijh '• Contract" ; " Await full ropurt" telei-ra])h" Delay."

1 may stato that, in aicrrdance with the Harbour Act, these drawings have been g>.nt to the Government, and I am given to underttind that the Colonial Marine Engineer is writing you upon the subject by the same mail.

Memoianda furnished by the engineer, giving some particulars with regard to ttoue, &c, are fat warded herewith. Other notes, referring mor.3 especially to tho proposed improvement of the curves of the channel inside the Heiids, will be forwarded by the next outgoing Suez ma 1; also duplicates of what are now «-nt.

The Board are anxious that jour atteniion should be called to ihe Improvement upon the bar by the dredging already executed, and which you cmi estimate by a comparison of tho foundings «s sho»n upon Mr bimp.-ou'n survey of IS7B uiih tho moie recent ones no.v sent and executed by our present engineer. It should also lio jointed oui fr) ycu that, owim: to a considerable prevalence of noitli-east weather durlig the la,t yo:ir, the opportunities of working upon the bar have i.enn fewer tliau average weather would •ff.jrd.

Be g-ood enough to address to the office of the Ota o Harbour Boaid, Dunedin, otago, N.Z. 1 have, &c.,~ H. S. Fisu, Jun., Chairman.

Wellington, New Zealand, May 17th, liS3. Memo, for Sir J Coule, C.E., in riplytu queries by him on the >>unjcet of stone, &c at Otago tleaila. Drawings forwarded by same niiil as this sliow depth and currents in the neiyhluurhcod of Oca"o bar, and also the nature if ni:tt--ii,ils as ditdo-ed try borings. Tbo lollowing notes wl.l complete ke infornntion asked for by Sir J. Coojo in its main points, and information upon minor parts will come by first mail via Suez: -

Stone. Stone can be readily got from the cliffs forming the North ILa-l, and especially tlut part immediately adjoining the beginning of the railway us Known on drawing No. 1. Ibis ttono is a voleai.iu brei.cia, hard and tough, with an avirjge specilie gravity of 2-5 A hard l.lack p-.rphjiv is obtainable in smal. spurs about a quarter if ja mile noith-east, of the above, but not in large nua.-.fctiies ltj sfieciflu gravity is hi[:h, but it woultl not be profltab o stone to wurk on account of its extreme hardness. I he f .rmer stone comes ..ut from the blast in angular m ißs*b, r-nuiug in weight up to six and seven tons. Tho proportion ot s.zes wuu'.d bn approximately as follow :— Ismail .. ~ 4 Medium .. .. j T«o to live ions .. \ Fivo to seven tons .. 1

I have specified to use s onos up to sewn tons for the out-iiic of slopes, ami the*; can be got; but if Sir J. Cocdo is of opinion that lighter stone* would suffice, achaiKO in direc;ion of that would be an economy. The quarrying couM be m ried i-n \viih great e.ise, as there i' already a bolil, almost vertical, face 20ft high of .goud rock, with not more than 2it or 3ft stripping on tho top, il.ire particulars aa to tho stripping riiiulred on the bick-lyinj; i arts will be cent by next mall. This stone would m.t ba suitable lor squaiing into blocks ; but at Purt Chulmtrn, distant about s,x miles, btoi.e capable of being worked into hicks i.f alniosi any tiza can be I'biaii.eJ with nu.dent» facility. Ihe level of the quarry floor at tho North Head would bo 3ft above high water level. A basalt is l ob'aiimble on both Taiaroa Heads and Hariingion Point in unlimited quantity, butweciuld not depend upon getting block, heavier than, say, thice tons. Tho proportions hero would be aboutSmall .. .. i Medium .. .. £ one to three tons .. i

The faces hire are almost vertical for sb ut loft above high water, and then too ground lises with an average inclination of 1 in 3. stripping on t»e top would be under sft. Trio material amid be easily shipped at Harrington Point, where good depth of water in lair eholter is obtainable. Blattiujr at Taiaroa Heads Wuuld, to a cerain extent, be controlled by proxiraiti to the iuhlhousi.

Tho wurk ou tuo North Head can be got practically without payment of any royalty, a> the area from whiou it would fo obtain' d i» Croivu lauds.

Part i.f that at Janingtoii Point on similar terms ; but part would probably have to be taken compnlsorily under the Pub;ic Works Act, when the compci sation wold be fixed by arbitration, th"Ui?h pronabiy that would nut exceou 3d or 4d per cubic yard. There is no gravel or shingle either ou tbo beach or cliff.-, anywhere near the works. Ih'.svd is clean and fine. ! There is no !re*h waUr available in qunn'ity near the works. Tho following notes apply to the proposed works :— " It is thought that sufficient ol the tidal current for 6courai;e purports will no deflected by a wall up to 3;t above low water It is prupi.fied to carry out tho extreme pans of slopes in the deep water in barges in .advance of tho siagingj no as to get out to the bar as quickly as pjs?ii>le, and also to induce the sand to make up between these parts, and thereby tave stone."

Gkoroe M. Barr, Engineer otagu Harbour B ;ard. There aro two things in relation to this subject and tho correspondence; with the Government which I think are fairly matters for congratulation by tho Board and the public—viz.: that the plans aßdeaignea by our own engineer have met with the approval of Mr Biaukctt, tho Marine Miigliieer fur the Colony; and sec Jirdly, tho recognition by the Government thut (he dtorening of the bar at. OtaiiO Head-is a of a Culjnial character ami importance. Tho first; sbou d eive tho Hoard increased confluence in the ability of our enuinc-er; ami the uccond indicate?, I tnink pretty clearly, thiit should it be necessary, in urder to permanently and effectually deepen the bar, to expend a sum of motuy so lar^re a- to bu beyond the ability and means ot our local body,-that then the Government will be prepared to assume the work thcoiselv. s on behalf of tho Coiony, on account of the immense importance it is to the commerce and prog, ptrity of tho Colony as a whole that Otajto should maintain her character as a first-class port; ana I cannot forbear from expressing my gratification that a Government acoieiliteil with tuch strong ccntrai-tic tendencies should express themselves upon thin question in to broad, comprehensive, and statesmanlike a manner. I «ill now refer to some of the other <|tieatimis I pla cd before t'lo Govornmcnt. First, then, ad to the new dock 'I he answer of tin Gsvernuv nt, to my querii s was that, ns to the endow - in lit, they wcru pro are I to convey to the U.ard without .ny rcstricti hi all of the oripnal endowmen north of the pr< pcSid new dock, trie proposed sue cf nine up to the street line, all thu reclaimed and uuro claiiuvd land in Mussel Bay not occupied by the rail-wn.v-liiif, the present d ek and.ipi.bau. is, and to five p >wer to borrow £100,0 0. They alsi, at nij surgestiun, will introduce a clause into tho bill giviuit the Beard power to cxren.l i ut of funds in haid (peruling tho raisins; of the special lua.Oas much a- maybe rjcjepsaiy ti proceed with the construe in uf the new dock. 'ihNwoulu ena lo iho roard to proceed with the construe ion of the dock if they de. mcd it de.-ir-

able in anticipation of floa ip* the new 1. an, a.d thus save a consijeranle auioumof lime. As to an endowment ei;hor in land or mon> y equal in valu<* to that part of the Trust's endowment, proposed to bo taken for railway purp bus, arid tbo i andingoiirthe accrued rents since th« passing ot tho Act of 1881, the Govorument havo promised to sive both matters their favourable consideration. It is quite evident that whether the functions of tho I'ocKTnißt are to bo carried out by the Board or not, that mch body must have an endowment sufficient to enable it to fulfil its (unctions; and in relatinn to this matter 1 have made a suggestion to the Dock Trust that they should aifaiti appoal to the Government to convey tho whole of the laud orieinally comprised within the endowment, and that by a causo in the Act tho Oovernment should take power to lea?o from the Board such portions as may from Mms to time m»y be required for railway purposes, paying such rent for same as may be mutually at'r.od upon or arrived at by arbitration. It appears to mo that this idei presents a satisfac ory solution of tho difficulty, and I would urjjo the BoHrd t.. co-operato with the Dock Trust to effect this i bject; and as the port of Lyr.telt.ou oceupi-s a prdci ely similar position, I appprehond the Uovernmeut should have no ditficulty in s-eing their way to agreo to thia.

lie tho abolition of the diilotcutial rato, and giving to tho Boiril the control of tho Port Chalmo a wharves I very much regiot to Bay that the Gove-n----ment have drained 60 far toa;roe to this request although the Premier has Btated tho matter is still open for further consideration, and lequcstij thut the ISoard will consult witu Mr Blair, tho engineer for thu Middle Island, and forward through him as early as possible a sratoraent fully fetting lorth thu Board's reasons for asking this concession, and also runs .na why tho Government should ounccdo. It will bo for tho Boa<d now to adopt thi-< course, ntid I invito you to appoint especial eommitteo for this purposo The great feir tho Qovornment apparently havo in this matter is tho urob-iblo loss ot revenue that may onsue through a reduction ot tho haulage rato upon the Port lino by Is per ton, the amount hy which tho dues receivable at Port Chalnioiu would bo increisod, and also that tho Christchurch pooplu would clamour for a reduction in tho haulage rate fr<>m liVttulton 'o their city. With roirard tn the first objection, it apwars to me that with tho extra facilities which the railway affords to shippers (and the hearty co-operation of tho Board, which, if the rate is 3saimilated, would at onco be secured) for the discharging of vessels and other ma'.ters, a much larger number cf ships would discharge at the railway piora than at present, so that tho IO6S by the reduction of the haulage by Is per ton would be more than made up by this mv ids ; but in any ovent it appears to me that tho Government have no ri|;ht to handicap tho trade of tho port by Is per ft <n, whloh thov prac ioally do now by charging thu prosent haul»g-i rate, whilst the anomaly of having tivo rates for diu-s in the one port is so absurd that f

am at a Iw-s o know how undor present drciinisiances it can in any w.iy bo justified. 1 opine that tho Gov.rmnent cannot reasonably i\-|)cct tho Hoard to undert k« at its wn i'ost the cxpemso of dred.'ing at ti.e ivliarvea and in K->piit.ii Bay, when the iinmeilia'o result is to ihem ii loss of rovenii If tliHanonnloua Btato of thing* is to continue it will rnauifently bo tho Board's interest to cease all such work, and trms compel a larco number of ships to discharge in the Httoim, as in that case it will receive a lar. o increase i" its revenue. This, however, is a pis-iti.in which I sh uld be extremoly sorry to see the Board foiced to adopt. As to the haulage rate from Lvttolton to Christchntch, the uimver to that is very sjmplo— viz , that thtiro they havo no water can (ago to compote with tho railway, and it it. only ou

account of our fortunate posieisian of this boon that the Gjv'ornuieut are cons;rairied to make a dilierenci) in the rates between lieie ana Oh istchurch. Tills is aUo, I may remark, no riew foaturo in lallway locomotion, as the late for pai-<ieiii(yrii a &c. on tho line fr in unehucga to Auckland 18 conxiderutil/ lem m«n at i tlitr p!itce», in consequence of tho (iovormuuiit 'having to cmvpito with private no. nun why Uiii (Joronnnent sh'iulii accele to tho Board's m|Hist, and loiinnotbut think that it these. a:o propon set forth they will yet .o so. Tbesanw l-enia lti to a largo extent apply t) tho control of tho Port ii-tmnoi'i 01 cuuise, if the Government should ugiue to hand these over, Hi, Bo.nd will have to ua prepared tv accept Ihe cost of 1 heir maintenance ami further exeurion, an oblitrniiun which I doubt not the Boatd w.u d cheirtully assume, a.d thus the Unll-a.v JLtepartmout would lie reiovtd u( a very considerable annual outlay It appears b> me to bo si Important £h.it there thould lie r.o divided or opposition interest!) in tho one harbuur, thut 1 cannut bus think ttie Gjvernmotit shoult lie prepared t.. risk a great deal in order to achieve uuauuuity il action.

in regard to the amendments of the Harbours Act propobed by the B ad, these are to be futthcr favourably considered, and J uin led to believe, from my conversation with t»e Premier, that tho most ot ti.em will lru adopted; and in any event the Board may rest asaur d that the extraordinary recommendation by tl<o Commit'ee of the Chamlnr of C'ommer • for it, future constitution will not bo given eifous to. In relation to legislation fur our own Bour-i, iha Premier is di-sirous of abolishing all existing AcM, and passing anew one comprising a.l thai is necessary for our proper working, He i,-, however, doubtful.it it cm bo avcomplished, but has expressed himself to tho effect that it the Koatd's solicitor can tee a way to do fin lie will ca ly it cut. Tiiis nutter amo should rccuvo jour consideration. Krcction cf Foghorn or Syrou at Otago Heads -In regard to this matter, 1 was informed by the Jliulster of .Marine \hit the Government hid now in their p'os* ses4.n a.l infornatiun.as to cost, «0., ai.d that the question of ertetli'B ihese at all the principal poits i» now under the considtratiun ol the Government. '; Wreck Charts and Board if Trade's Letter thereon.— This matter is to be looked ii.to b> the Government, and an answer will ba fonvaided to the Board in a few uaj 8. ■ He Charges for Inspecting Board's I'lant, Boilers, Jlach nery, &c.—The Minister expresses himself as averse to making any difference in the charge for. inspecting the Board's plant, and that for passenger steamer-, So., but states that it U probable a teductiun in the cliarge all round will shortly he made. B tiiblishmeno ol Queen's Bond.—The Minister states tliis is under consideration, und will be dona it possible In connection with thin subject I have, since my return from Wellington forwarded to the Hon. 11. O.iver copies of !hb correspondence between the Biia'd Mid the Oovernnient, anil ho has promised to tho the matter hia immediate attention, and will himself write the Minister of Customs with a view to the Board's Irishes being given effect to. Site on Hallway Ueserve at corner of Ratoray street for board's Office,..-!!! connection with this 1 was rtferred by the Ool..uial Treasurer to tho Minister lor Public Woiks, who relerred me to Mr Blair. This gentleman 1 have Been since my return front Wellington, and 1 find that the de-ind bite cannot be obtiued Whilst inter, viewing thu Minister for Public W.rks I brought under Ms nuiieo the qi.Cation of the laiUay-station and the removal of the line from Crawfoid street. Ho stated that, so f^r as he knew, the p omiaes made to the last deputation would be faithfully cariied out, but lef.rrcd mo to iir B'air for fuher ii,fuimation. from a conversation 1 have had with this gentleman 1 gather that te. Deis are in.w being called for the erection of the (foods-sheds offices, and tbat tho goods traffic will shortly bo removed irom the Crawl rd etiect ti> the new lines; that by Octobor noxt the plans of tho new pissenger Biati.,n will be ready and i enders called/for its erection ; but that tlio lino along Ciawfoid ar.etwill sti.il bo used for [a'senger t a'tic, and will not be leiuovod for at least 18 months from now. I do not know that it was intendtd, but-1 certainly was under tho impression ■ as the lesulcof the lass deputation whicb waited upon the Minister up mibis subject thai the line itself would bjremoved in October next. I need not point ouc to you that its removal at that period is a matter of immense importance, no: only to the Board but its tenants; and 1 would su.:gc.-t that a deputation from Hum und the Board should wait upon Mr Batr with a view of seeing if some temi.Oiary arrangement cold not be made at the same time as the gogds traffic is removed, whereby tho present passenger staiiou c uld le shifted to, or near to, the site of the new station, bo that the Uraviford street line misfit be then removed, and this long standing nuuance become a thing of the past.

lv conclusion, although the Government have tot seen their way at present to uccord to ilio Board all it defies, ] led bound to express my acknowh dement ol the couneens manner in which 1 was received by such mi tubers if the Govei'nmcnt as 1 had occasion to see. They one ai,d all appear to be posjesse i with, a .'esire to facilitate the opo utioiis i.f the Board and D ck Trust as far as political exigencies ptrinit; arid I fee! justified in expressing my I chef that, with regard lo the important matters in connection with the dock, U fl'eieutul rate* t ana Po< t Chalmers wharves, that ibey will, upon lurther consideiation, lueit thu iioard'g views the.cm. In up»l..gisinir. for the .ength of this tepui r, I venture to expu'ss the hope tbac, whilst I have b on unable to obtain all that we roqu.re. the U"iird w.-ll b.licro I h»ve done my utmost.to fdithful y diachar.e the important mission, entrusted to me.—l have, &ii., ■ .;. "■

H. S. Fißu, Jira., Chairman. Mr Ramsay moved—" That a committee consisting of the Chairman, Messrs JPsttereon, Koss, and Burus, be appointed to draw up a letter to the Government re differential ratea and Port Chalmers wharves, aud also to write to the Government in regard to the endowment for the Dock Trust." Ho would move also that the further consideration of the repoifc ha deferred to a future time. He would take this opportunity of moving—" That the best thanks or the Board are due to the Chairman for the very able manner in which he has discharged his duties on his mission to Wellington, and for the exceedingly able report he has submitted to the Board." Mr Bur\s seconded the motions, which were carried unanimously.

works committee's kkport. The following report was adopted :— 1. Mr O. Mason's Keport on Dredge 222.—Th0 engineer ban ueen requested lo consider the report aud aJviae what to do iii regard to it. 2. Auckland Harb.mr Boaid's Application re Hiring Dredging Plant. -Cannot recommend any ol tho Beard's plant to be hiio-1. 3. Town i lerk's Letter re Construction of Sewers — Recommend that reply be sent that the Hoard has no liability in the matter. 4. Mr Cairns'Letter.—Consideration postponed. 5. inspector of Woiks' Ke, on a-, to Arrangement of C.-aneu.—Engineer to report on eraue at Stuart street; remainder ot report deli rred. «. Mr 000. Hume's Application for Investigation into Charg smade atainot bim.-Keconnnend investigatiduto be declined. 7 explain ?to>vart's Application to bo employed.— Deferred till reorganisation tai.ct, place. 8 Ca tain Hilton's Application.—Kccormnond him to lie i ruploycd if suitable upeni ng occurs. 9 Mr Geo (Jlark's A plication.—Deferred until aa opening occurs, when he can apply with others. 10. .Kecoinmend that two diving-dresses bo ordered, as suggested by the harbourmaster. 11. Signalling Ve-sela at Caiio Saundera.—Rocommend that the baib Uituaster's sugges'ion bo cotiimunicated to the Marine Department, wuh a request that U be given effect to. 12 Berth at George street Pier.—lnstructiona have been given to deepen a berth 470 ft in length to *6(t as clo.-e in as dredge 221 can work, and the bi ace betwe-n that and the wharf taken down by the Priettman's crane dre.ige to 'i2lt. ■ 13. Cranes on Wharves.—Resolved, that the Board be recommended to appoint their own men to work the crane*,, and that it be remitted to the » orks Cotn-uii-tee to ariange a reasonable charge to peraons using same. : U. AH application having been made for a berth for the steamer Wcstmeath, she has been ordered to bo placed at Bowen Pier, it being found necessary to emargc tbo berth at George street Pier for tho lonic, shortly expected. 16. l'onr Committee would, in connection with the contemplated woiks at tho Heads, suggest that some of tho pieiiminary work might bo entered up.m pending tho receipt of Sir J hn Coode's report on the plans, «v h as the laying doivn o( tho railway, tunnelling fir biasing purposes, &c, and would mako the recommendation that it be refer: ed to tho Committee to nuke a definite report to tho Board on tho subject. 16. Tenders ft Walling —Only two tenders have i een received, after repeated advertising, and these haic been reicrred to the engineer to report unon to theßoaid. ..:■■■■• THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE A.\D THE BOARD. The Chairman : As members will have seen

from the newspapers, the Chamber of Commerce have passed/esolutions that the Board, instead of being elective orj representative, should consist merely of nomineea of the Government for the time being, who should bs paid highly for their services. You know my opinion upon that subject—and I think it is

the opinion, not of every member of thia Board, I am afraid, but of every nine out of ten—that such a course would be most pernicious for any place to adopt. For myself, I cannot overestimate the injury that I think is likely to accrue to this province of Otago, as a province, from the passing of such a rash resolution as that when it goes forth to the rest oE .New Zealand that Otago, upon which we have prided ourselves, not only for its products and general resources, but also for the manliness, vigour, and intellect of its inhabitants, ia.the one place in the whole Colony unfit to manage its own affairs. Ido not think lam wrong in estimating the damage done to us, and the Bcorn and.opprobrium that will be cast upon us in consequence of those resolutions to be very considerable. The reason I have for mentioning the matter is not that 1 have the slightest fear the resolutions will be given effect to by the Government or by members of the House. As a member of the Opposition I would be pleased if the Government adopted those resolutions, and it would perhaps give us a handle that we would not otherwise have. But I have had a conversation with the Premier already upon the subject, and from what I have said to him, and he to me, I do not think there is the least

chance of the Government adopting such a policy. But what I mention the matter for is to ask your opinion as to whether the Board, not in the interests of ourselves merely, but of the town, should not ask the Mayor to call a public meeting of the people, to Bee whether they are as willing to give up their liberties and birthright, as those 21 gentlemen, members of the Chamber of Commerce, would have ug believe. As a public man and an old resident in

this province, I do not think it right that we should allow it to go forth as the opinion of the people here that we are prepared to sacrifice that to obtain which iv almost every other country in tho world men have fought, bled, and died, and are fighting for now—local independence and the right to govern themselves. I do not think we should allow it to go forth from here that that is our opinion, without endeavouring to find out from our fellow citizens whether thoy really beliove in such a retrograde policy. For my part, I feel absolutely inclined this day to place my resignation as a member of the Board on the

table, because I feel bo disgusted with the jibes and sneers and contumely that are being continually thrown at this Board by men who ought to know better, who should have the interests of the place at heart, but who, I am constrained to say, have not. I am co disgusted and disheartened with tho work that I

feel inclined at this moment to place ray resignation on the table ; and if I do not do so ? it is because of the position I occupy in relation to tho Board. I shall take time between thiß

and next meeting to consider whether I shall do bo. It is no honour, no credit, and cer-

tainly no pleasure to belong to a body which is continually abused, spurned, and treated in tho contemptible way that this Board is by men who ought to be ashamed of themselves for acting in the way they have. The words used by ouo individual at the Chamber of Comruetcu meeting—that tho Board had acted in a rascally manner—were a disgrace, to that individual, I feel very strongly upon this matter. I feel that it is an insult to every member- of tho Board; and ■ I am not surprised to learn that Mr Ramsay, in vindication' of his own self-respect and honour,' has felt compelled to tender his resignation as a member of |tbia Board. I have nothing more

to say, except to put it to you whether you think it is desirable that the Board should, as a Board, take auy steps in the direction of asking the Mayor to call.a public meeting of the citizens to sco whother they aro desirous that our representative institutions should give way to a system of nomiiieeixni, Mr Ross: lam entirely opposed to the principle of a nominee Board ; but I think it would be beneath the dignity of the Board to take any steps to call a public meeting. At the same time, if it was desired that .such a meeting should be called, the movement should originate with the citizens themselves; and perhaps whuu the remarks of the Chairman were ulade public through the Press, some right-minded individuals might initiate a movement in the direction indicated. Otherwise) it would be too much like a struggle for existence on the part of members of the Board, and their motives might bo perverted by the individuals who wore so prominent in casting aspersions on the Board. The Chairman : I am not indisposed to agree with Air Ross. ' | Mr Buiins : In reading over the report of tho meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, I saw it stated that the original letter from the Board forwarding the bill was sent direct to the Committee of tho Chamber of Commerce. Is that so or not ? Tho Chairman: Yea; I believe it is the

Mr Ramsay : Perhaps while this matter is being discussed I may take the opportunity of intimating to members that I have felt it my duty to placo my resignation as a member of this Board, representing tlie^Duuedin Chamber of Commerce, in the hands of the Chairman of that body. I have stated my roasons in my letter to Mr Wilson, and I have asked him to

be good enough to give as full a reply as possible to my letter. In connection with the matter referred to by Mr Burns, I have also felt it my duty to offer to the Committee of the Chain bar of Commerce my apology for having drafted the letter which was sent to the Chamber in reply to the communication received by us. i was distinctly under the impression thut I hud put the question to the secretary (Mr Gillies), and had been told that our communication was addressed to the Chamber, and had no reference to the Committee at all, and I stated distinctly that that was my impression when moving the motion. I was very much astonished and taken aback, and, in fact, very much shocked when Mr Bell at the Chamber of Commerce meeting read the extract from the letter of the Board where we specially asked the Committee's attention to our bill. I think it was the duty of the secretary of the Board, when he saw us drifting into n position not only ridiculous, but most offensive to the Committeo of the Chamber of Commerce, to intimate that we were in the wrong. I have nothing further to say in regard to my resignation than simply to express my regret that, after the many years I have been here, I should feel, in vindication of my own honour, as the Chairman has said, under the necessity of resigning my place at the Board. I have to express my sincere thanks to the Chairman and members for the kindness they extended to me during the time I was a member, as well as during the time I had the honour of presiding over the deliberations of the Board.

Mr Ross: I was under the same impression as Mr Ramsay until I heard the extract read from the Board's letter by Mr Bell. I have no doubt the secretary acted under instructions, and it might possibly be the fault of members of the Board themselves in not having ascertained at the earliest possible opportunity what the letter really was. Did the minute of the Board authorise the secretary to forward the bill to the Committee of the Chamber ?

The Chairman : Yes. If members look afc the original letter Beut from the Board with the bill, it will be seen that the letter alluded to other matters besides the bill, and 1 think itia possible the secretary was under the impression that the remarks referred to tlie action taken by the Committeo of the Chamber of Commerce in a previous letter, of which this was an acknowledgment. Of courso the secretary is not supposed to recollect everything he writes, when he writes so many letters. We ought to liave looked it up for ourselves. . In the course of a long discussion which took place on this subject, the secretary, Sir (Jillies, said he had uo recollection of being asked by Mr Kamsay (as stated by that gentleman and Mr Paterson) if they had had any ccmmtiiiiicution on the subject with the Committee of tho Chamber, JFurthormore, in the minute-book of the finance Cominittne there was an entry in Mr Ramsay's handwriting to this elfect: " That the Committee of the Chamber be informed that the Board has taken action in the matter of the resolutions, and forward a copy of the bill drafted previous to receipt of tho resolutions." Ho never understojd that the bill was forwarded to the Committee to be discussed. There were other matters contained in tho bill besides the constitution of the Board, such as leasing clauses aud the question of dues, the latter of which was connected with tho resolutions forwarded by the Committee of the Chamber. 'When the Chairman showed him the resolutions he intended to move- with reference to the resolutions of the Committee of the Chamber, he approved of them, and when ho was shown Mr Ramsay's resolution—which was adopted by the Board as a reply to the Committee—he Btated that ho preferred the Chairman's resolutions. If he had remembered that the original letter was sent to tho Committee of the Chamber, he would certainly not hava allowed the Board to fall into the mistake they had; but it was an impossibility for him to carry all the letters in his mind. All tho members of the Board stated that when they voted for Mr Ramsay's resolution they were clearly of opinion that the original letter was sent to the Chamber of Commerce, and not to its Committee.

The Chairman said: With reference to Mr Ramsay's resignation, I extremely regret that he is leaving the Board. 1 have been fur some years on the Board with that gentleman ; aud although it is perfectly well known that we have differed on many occasions, and sometimes angrily, I am free to confess that Air Ramsay's action ■ has been deserving of praiao on the whole, and he has undoubtedly done the public a considerable amount ot service in the time he has given to the Board. Even if the Chairman does not attend to the work rigidly, it is no light matter to act as Chairman of the Board; aud I, for one, desire to express my preat regret that circumstances should have occurred that render Mr Ramsay desirous of resigning. lam not surprised; and, as I have said, I feol very much inclined to do the same myself. FINANCE REPORT. The following report from tho Finance Committee was adopted:— Ywir Comruitteo have to roport on remits as follows :—lst. Letter from Captain rox on subject • f charges on sh'.pi at LyttohVm and Port Chalmers jesptrctivoly, and letter from tioinmittiio ot Cham'ier of Commerce on tame subject havini: been couriered, it was riwolved that iho difference seems to be mainly in tho niatttr ot towage, and recommend tlia1 thu qutsti.n if towage rats bo referred to the rina-r«) Committee for their early rouort. 2nd Accounts have bue' examined fur payment aiuoiintiny to £2905 11<7d. DEPTH OF WATER IN THE CHANNEL WIOSI PORT CHALMERS TO DUNBDIN. The Chairman referred to the fact that the Jasper (drawing 13i't Gin) and the Jane Maria (drawing 14ft) came up to Duuedin during the last few days by the Victoria Channel. The captain of the Jasper alleged that he had 2ft of water to spare. That was certainly an indication that it was quite possiblo to make a channel from the Port to Dunedin ; and whilst it might be expedient to etop work in the channel as they were now doing, it must not be assumed for a moment that the making of a channel from Port Chalmers to Dunedin was a failure. He might further inform the Board that every effort was made by a number of people at Port Chalmers to induce the captain of one of those vessels to remain at Port Chalmers, by making damaging statements about tho. channel and the appliances at Dunedin.

Mr Ross said it had been stated publicly, and ho thought it ought to be contradicted, that the channel, instead of being 70/t wide, was only 6'Olfc wide. As he understood there was only one point ih the channel where it was 60ft wide, he thought it should be referred to in tho engineer's reports. The Chairman said Mr Ross was quite correct. It was only at one small place that the channel was GOf t wide. Tha rest of the channel was 70ft wide, and, except in one or two places of very little magnitude, there was a depth of 14ft at low water right through tho channel. That meant 19ft at high water at least. In most parts of the channel they had a depth at low water of 16ft and more. Mr Mill proceeded to criticise the remarks of tho Chairman with regard to the channel, but the Chairman ruled him out of order. TENDERS FOR WALLING. A report on this subject was read, and the matter was referred to the Works Committee with the object of calling for tenders in a different shape, so as to make an allowance for subsidence. THE BIG DREDGE. The following report was road :— ottt''O Harbour Board engineer* Offlct', Duncdiii, 31tst May, 18S3. To tho Chairman an t Mf inhere.

Gontlomen,—ln accordance with you' request, I have now the honour to forward tabulated statement nhowing the quantities and ratcno! drudging executed by tho hopper ilrulcc No. 222. I al*i send report made by Mr David Mason, of "ate Ut May, and by Mr Aiton, inspector of -orks, of date 28Lh mat., both dealing with the oharacter of the drudge in its machinery and with the mode of working. In forwarding these, I beg to call your attention to the following points :— Tho total quantity of material drcdorc'i, onvcvod, and deposited, helwtcn the month of March, JBH2, and the end of April, 1863. was 161,530 tons, at a total coatcf £6400 I(w3il, including ah working expenses and repairs, or at an average rato of lOd per ton, or Is 3d per cubic yaid. ff cndit bo taken for harrowing and boring on tho l.ar, the rite ol cost should bo reduced to nomo extent. This would show an average for each month of 10,8-13 to"s ; but aa only six days of March. 183 ', had any work done on them by tho dredge, and as February aud Jlarch of this year were much broken in upon by lmtn of tho narrows attached to the dredge, and by boring on the bar, it is but fair to exclude thejc- from the calculation of tno average, and deal with ti.o remaining 11 nv>nth», which would thus show an avorago of 12,140 tons pr-r month. The ircateßt amount of work done in any one month was done in September of last year, when a total of 1C.350 tons were lifted and deposited In 22 working days, or an averazo of 743 trns per day. of this 14,650 tons were lifted at Port Cholmcrs, and 1700 at, the bir.

The Rrt'iitest work at the lw in ono month was In January iS33. whon M3O tons ivcre remov. d In nine da^ 8, or an averago of SOS tous ptr da>, i qual to 106 tons per h»u . The Uruest output of work at Port Chalmers wai in the month of April of this y<ar, whon 14,750 tons wcro lifted and deposited at f'ea in 18 days, equal to an avera«o of 820 tor* pur tiny, i.r as nearly as may be 100 toriß per hnir. Though under more favourable circumstances 'or lifting at P< rt Chalmers than on (ho bar, the lor-g- r time occpied In carryi> g and depositing reduces the average lour's work. Kothirjg wax done on tho bar that, month. The total quantity lifted from tho bar has been 16,240 t-»)8 in 27 da\s, which is the total time the dredge has been at tho special work for which eho

was de»lgnod. This short time ia in part due to bad weather,"but also in great m[.a«uro to the laetthtt >he lias baen requirod to no dcedgitu at the Port Chalmers wharves, to ninko provi.?ioa lor largedraught steamers Jhe total quantify lifted from Port Chalmets has been 135,290 t.ns during 2 il days.

13e>iit s theso w or<.», the ilr. dg'o has ben engaged 11S ho :is liapuwiiu, v d 05 hours h-..tiug on the tar. Altogether the lables ahuw ti;»t .-he has limit), in the 13 nl m.hsfro.u the be,'innln,".l Aunt IS-S2, to end ol Apri:, UiS, engiged in u-.tjul work alt) d,tjs o it of atioui 331) working ,<a>-, lh;i> thowiiu SI dajs in which sn : hat either been under repair <>r slopped by tad ircVher. In am uri^on with that portion of ho work done at i'ort Chalmers, i lnaj il.ee the re.-uU of thu Vulcan's I'licruiimis th re in AujtUv, lSsSi, when the ilroilye.l 8-',6JO tons in .'1 day-, or an uvuinge of 1554 tons per duy. Toi- wou'd Imvo heen even butter with a longer ladder. This was dredged, towel, and tlischary d at average c^t, exclusive ul' repairs, of 4a ill) per ton, 'Hie eo-t of similar work at the name time by d'< di;e i 22 was sil per ton. . On the whole, the material thnt dredge 222 has been operating uputi has been mostly of an unfavourable character for lilting; but when she has happened to be in stuß easy to cical with, she has filled her hoppers to tho total capacity of 1 !iO t :n= in 3J hours on several ocavions. A vrtr.i ciuitunn time to do this in is four hours. As tho rate contracted lor was 350 tons per hour, wo may take ie thai, in this particular eho fulGh the conditions made with her builders. Taking tno average of her fort Chalmers and b:u worn, the is failing about one-third of her time and dredging aiiout t.vo-third<. Ar, Port Chilmers lie work involves about three hours' sailing for four hours' dredging. It will be observed that whiJo the dredge has only worked zl d,ivs on the bur, lifting and discharging lti 2W tons, the has worked 201 days ut P'.rt Uhaimcrs wharves aid elm itiels, lifting 1:<5,!!0O tons. Considering that the Has obtainul (.pecially for b.ir work, this is worthy of note, and of Pi.ecwl inquiry with a view to if more bar >-ork citmut bo got. out of her m the fut<nc. Some of the time devoted to Purt (Ji:alme.s >\as tlte result of na.l weather at the b.w, tlio master of Die dicdjfe understanding that *liwi he • Ml\ not work omsid.' he was to pr C.ed with dredging in th-.i sheltered waters at the Port. Jluih of ncr lime, however, has been t\ ent then-, in arcjrdaiiuß. with ill.cue instructions from the Hoard, in miking ntees.-aiy and urgent preparation for lurgn slc.mer. expected tourriie. The ucccimiiiodation of thei-e, tthicn was a matter of the very greatest impi.riance to ihe c.mim mity, has bicu the result of her uo k. it has been all along impres-ed upon tho master th;t he must ma><c every possible attempt upon the bar, unless otherwise si ecia ly in;tru< t.d, ai.d to cnfoice thin us rigidly as pus ibie, he I ad instructions in tho beginning of

Fibruar.l to muko the ll.ads, instead of Port i.halmc i), his he dipiarters, and to resort to tlio latter place only on the appearance of a continuance of bad weather rendering work in the exposure of the bar iaipos-ible In c nsiderition i f this cnange, and •■l-o of the condition.* imposed upon tho ciew, of { being cquired to work any lime duri' g daylight that the bar mi^ht be favouiable thtir wages w.re increased. This syntein vvai started in thu bi-ginirin/ of February, but During ih,t month much of her time was neuupied in j>rop±ri g and usin.' the hirrows, to that her wmk in tha! month in actual dridaing 'hows oidy 7550 ion» lilt.d at Pure Chalmers in seven days. Seventeen hours of ihat time «ure alio cici-upitd in boring'o i thu bar. In March she was again boring and harrowing <.n tho b.ir, rind had i-iulir cays' lireilg-t-ff at fort, Chalmers, when a c lifted 8750 tons A'.ril-hmva no dredging on the liar, but. 14,750 tons removed from r,ho P..rt.' The month of May has had eijrlit days on tho bar, and the remainder at the i-crt. It wII be seen, therefore, trat though very special ar angemen s were made tor work at the bar, these havt- been iieutrnli-cd by thedicdsro being eet o other work Full coi sideration of the ab.v shows us that tho attempt to g t tati.-fact.ory r. suUs front the dredge worKiigbuih at ton oha;mersand the bar hi" not been s-u-iecs.ful. Thn conditions of work at Port

'halmt'W are so much moru ugrecabie than ut the bir that the niaitur ai,d crew will niv» the f-'iner the

prefereii'-o if Were is lho sliirhte-t rrason to justify them. In working at the I'orr. the drake ia under gieat. disadvMnlaije for pr.'flub-c work fol»n;;a3 .-he carrim uml deposits her own soil, and, as ia evident by C"inp.iri-on with the Vulcan, is not nearly cqnal in nuiiltD to Ihat dr. di?f, with its attendmt steamers and punts If she is t work at the Port she shodd discha xc into punts crjnthcr hnpiter i es-el, and thin ilei'ot her whole tiino to dredging alone, a-f' thereby mve aliout Ihree h mrs imt of ivery seven. This ncoininenda'ion would not app y to the bar. as tho i convenience and difficulty of working tho birges alongside i.i a nwoll would reduce th« opportunities of m>r* below even .he mestnt number. Heui'iii-iiig, howt-ver, thai, much dndyinfr will yut he required at

, tlm Poit, I think it. would be better to adapt tho Vole.m for working at greater depths than her present ca aciti.an. allow her to do the work at the Port. Aa wok on a large scale in the Upper Harbour is not intended to be retinue I for s.ime months, this suggestion nuy ho carried out with no- if results at IVrt Chalmers without materiallr intof<rimr uith tho ~retention of the ..ener.il scheme of the Board. It may be said th.tif the larco d.'edgn Ik devoted solely to the tar and ii thin^ el-e, much time will be'lost by had weather. Tnia tna.v be partl.i trae, but nr.t to a y irri-oi a.vrnt, ai ft great del of tho trie notnccuiled in dredging could ho duvotsd t' repair*. Further, there arc ma v r.p. orr.uniiies <if even two or thiee hours which ou'd be tak™ advantage of in thin rnannrr, which won (I le quite Ins' to the bar if tie dredge were at, the Prt ~t uny r.ite, trie vaut importune- tf bavins.' the bir doepei ccl would Justify some sacrifice at times, provided tlnit otl er opportunities were'■eiz'^d. mid I am :'nr-ua'led that po lons a" the dredge is divi 'd

but we :i the two > lacts very indifferent results will be oi.fcnn-:il tl> th.

The rcri'rts of Mows Aiton anil M.iron do not rp.■oinm ml any great al'emtion i" the pro<ent iniichilerv of tho ilrralge, ih ugh hoy c nciir in rerom Tiei-dli.(.'ihpKub.-titiiliin of a:i ordinary clutch for a

Tiwori dutch, an.l I think it wnu'd 1.0 ik-Bhable to iuthorlsp thin, S m.' repairs t> caps a<>B am also

■■limed Mr Aiton further suggests a diff rent mode I ninoiiiiif th<; d;<-d«e. uliich moy pom blv be trieil

will ndvaiitauc, Ihoiuh there nre'ertain objecti >n» to the pro- nue <>f M>: inoorin-'S, and also to the po i'lnn of thts'iredtfi- rela ivr to the (.well, which may operate against its su cess. I perfectly concur in ilr Ai (.it's icronmieiidntirn with ngarri to tho change in the 2'ersonnel of the vi s-iel —I have. &c,

Gkirge M. Barr, En/ineer. It wan resolved that this report should be printed, and consideration of the whole of the returns and report referred to the Works Committee.

Mr Ramsat did not know that there was any recommendation in the report for making a change in the working of the dredge. He believed there was a genpral impression that the dredge had not received fairplay, and he thought they should t?ive all the hands on the dredge one month's notice. The Chairman said that had been done already. The Works Committee would take up the whole matter next week. There bad been a lot of work lately, and they had not been able to deal with this subject. He might state that the engineer was strongly of opinion that the dredge should be kept entirely at the bar, as the time lost in going backwards and forwards to Port Chalmers and the bar caused her to bs very expensive. Supposing tbatthe j Government acquiesced in the Board's opinions in regard to equalising their dues, and it was necessary to continue dredging at Port Chalmers, tho engineer was about to suggest that the Vulcan should be lengthened so that her ladder could be made to go down as deep as dredge 222. She could then be utilised for work at Port Chalmers. Another consideration was that in winter the bar was much smoother and the dredge could be worked lunger. RAILWAY HAULAGE FROM DU.N'EDIN WHARVES TO PRIVATE SIDINGS. A letter was received from Mr Hannay, railway - traffic superintendent, regarding charges to be made for haulage from Dunedin wharves to private sidings.—Referred to the Works Committee for report. ItBRTHAGE AT RAILWAY PIHRS. A letter was received from Mr Hannay stating that in future the harbourmaster's authority in berthing vessels at the Port Chalmers Railway Piers would be recognised.

The Board then adjourned,