HARBOUR BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6656, 15 June 1883, Page 4

HARBOUR BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the Otago Harbour Board was held yesterday afternoon. Present: Messrs H. S. Fish (chairman), A. H. Boss, R. Paterson, A. J. Burns, J. Barron, J. Mill, and A. Burt. , • BANK-BOOK. The bank-book showed a debit balance of £30,439 lls Id. CORRESPONDENCE. The Sooretary of the Marine Department wrote that the letter of the Board of 12th March last, urging the necessity of the establishment of a fog-signal at the Hoads, had been received, and, by instructions from the Minister in charge of the Department, he had to inform the Board that tho matter was under consideration, and a sum for that purpose would be placed on the Estimates.—Resolved to thank the Government.

Mr G. W. Eliott, understanding that the Board required diving-dresses, wrote that he had one complete, almost new, and was •willing to dispose of it.—Referred to Works Committee.

THE BIQ DREDGE. The following letter was read :— o - Dunedin, Juno I4th, 1883. Seeing by reports of tho Board's meetings that tho dredge No. 222 has not given satisfaction in dredging tire bar, wo have been thinking for some time ot making a proposition to tho Board for altering the dredge to faoilitato curving out our principle of operation, by which we should bo enabled to dredge SUtt, or more if required, at low water, by 200 ft wide at the bottom. We are prepared to take the whole of the responsibility of tho alterations to dredge, and of drodging the channel 24ft deep at low water, for the sum of £18,600. We do not deem it necessary to enter into details herein; but should the Board receive this offer favourably, we aro prepared to do so as the Board may require.- We are, &c,

KIXCAID, M'QtJEEX, AND Co. The CiurnuAN considered that this was an important letter, and should be referred to the Works Committee for careful consideration. Mr Burt considered that a special meeting of the Board should be called to discuss the question. The Chairman, in answering one of the members, stated the large dredge was at present costing the Board £COOO a year. Mr Ross thought it would be unwiso to enter into any arrangement at present. The Chairman' said that Mr Barr was of opinion that Mr McQueen's suggestion might be carried out, oven if the Board did not enter into the whole contract. Until tha Board had thewhole details before them they could not decide what they would do. The letter was referred to the Works Committee, giving them power to call a special meeting. THE GEORGE STREET WHARF. ' The Chairman said that with regard to the matter mentioned by Mr Burns at the last meeting of the Board in reference to the George street Wharf, the reference had not been altogether unnecessary. The wharf had been carefully watched by Mr Barr, and up to the Ist June dredging had no prejudicial effect, but he would report any signs of tha wharf falling. Since then it had dropped a little, and he (the Chairman) had called the attention of the Government authorities to the matter, and they would take such steps as were necessary to make it safe. When the pier was built, it was not then thought, perhaps, that the water would ever be deepened to the depth it had been. He had received information from the Government that they had gone into the matter with the Board's engineer, and there was no doubt that it would be thoroughly seen to, THE ALASTOH.

The Chairman said that he had another matter to report. Since the last meeting of the Board the barque Alastor had arrived from Glasgow. She drew 14ft Gin of water. Knowing the channel to be sufficiently deep to bring the ship up to Dunedin, he thought it would be an excellent opportunity to demonstrate what the channel could do, and he felt sure the Board would be pleased to see a Home ship berthed for the first time at the wharves. He had seen Captain Thomson, and interviewed the captain and agents of the vessel, with regard to bringing her up. They did not object, and were willing to do so if the nautical authorities were willing. He (the Chairman) took upon himself to offer that the ship should be towed up free of charge. Subsequently he saw the captain and Captain Logan, and ultimately it was decided that the vessel could not come up, as there was no berth at the wharf sufficiently deep to allow her to float at low water. When the Westmeath arrived Captain Logan asked for the berth which was being made for tho lonic. He said that it could not ba granted, as the vessel would interfere with the dredging operations. He (Captain Logan) did not think that would make much difference. Although she was chartered to lie afloat, she might rest on the ledge and push the stuff into the deep channel, which would save -the Board considerable labour.— (Laughter.) With regard to .the Alastor the feeling was totally different. They did not wish the vessel to come up to the "wharf, for foar she might ground. He remarked that Home ships were coming out which drew more water, and he considered that the Board should do its best to have them brought up to Dunedin. The engineer had been instructed to deepen a berth at the Rattray street Wharf to accommodate vessels drawing 16ft of water. He understood that Mr Denniston, representative of Messrs Neill and Co., was prepared to send up the vessel which he the (Chairman) had made reference to. Mr Patbkson said that tho least the Board could do for the Home vessels was to tow them up free of charge. The Chaihhan concurred in the remarks made by tho last speaker. WOBKS CO3HfIiTEE. „ Tho Works Committee reported as follows :—

Your Committee havo to report upon remits as follows :— 1. Repairs to Tug-boats.—Tho Koputai has been docked, cleaned, and the outside of the hull painted I)/ tho U.S S. Co.'s men. Tenders (or insldo painting have- been called, f r, and are duo thin day. The Plucky has now boon docked, aud repairs required aro being effected. The Iron Ago, not being required for work at present, baa also been sent to. Port Chalmers to bo put in order, and placed under Captain .Sinchit'd charge, to be available when her services may be required. 2. Mr T. 11. Dodson's Claim re -Repairs to Lillio Denhiuu.—The Committee advise tho Hoard to dis-c-hum any liability. 3. Railway Traffic Superintendent's Letter re Charge* for Sidinir to Jetty streo'; Wharf. -Recommend the Board to "free to tho proposal tint tho railway officer:! do the loading, haulage, and unloading, charging Is 6d per ton. 4. Distributing Soil, Derrick No. 3.—Tenders have been called for, and that of James Macarthur accepted—removal 4d per sard, and 7d per box. 5. Berths, George street Her.— The Priestman's dredge and dredgo 222 have completed a berth 470 ft in length, capable of Iteopit.g any vessol afloat at low water drawing 25ft. (I. Works at Heads.-The enjineer'o report, herein attached, ia rccoinmondotl (or the Board's adoption. 7. Tenders for Walling Stuart street and Half-tide Wall-Tenders have been called for on an amended specification for quarrying and delivery of stone into waggons; haulagu to be dono by tbo Board. The Committee ask for power to opea"tho tenders, and, if considered reasonable, to havo powor to accept the lowest. 8. Working of Wbar! Cranes. -A special report by tho inspector of worka is attachtd, and his suggestions are recommendo! for the Board's adoption, and a bye-law prepared and published it> accordance with the powers vested in tho Board by clauso 215, subsection I, 0. UOfct of Dredging at Port Chalmers.—A return U attached showing actual outlay on dredging at Port Chalmers since Ist January, 18S2, to April 30th, 1833, from which it will bo seen thattho working expenses, bt.-rcy, &0., and added 10 per cent, fir interest on cost of plant ar.d allowance for depreciation, tho amount will be £10,374 113. This is irrespective cf outlay in connection with the bar. . 10. Stores on Board of PlucVy and Koputai.—An inventory of these Insboju invdu and signed by Capta<n t-indair, and handed over to the harbourmaster, by whom a stock-book will be kopt. 11. Propose J Bridge to Waverly.— Tho promoters' letter, with Messrs Blair ai:d Hay's reports, have been handed over to tho engineer for his remarks (attached). 12. Keorganisat'on of Sorvice.-The tvo senior officers of aredgo 222 have been informed th it much dissatisfaction has been felt in regard to tho quantity of work done by-the dredge, but before lieciding upon any swooping alteration, three months'longer trial will be given; that tho second mate (uid ono fireman be dispensed with ; and that tho captain's wages be at tho same rate as those of the master of tho Vulcan. The Committee further tecommend that all present appointments be confirmed, and that it he a general instruction to recognise the Bervice6 of old otticcrs in fresh appointmeuti. Instructions have nho bui'n given that as soon as drotlge 222 has completed tho berth for the lonic she is to be kept entirely at tha bar, and on the former iii'tructions a3 to working bar at any timo when it is capable to do so. 13. koad at Crobs Whiirf.—lnstructions havo been given to put tho Board's portion of this road in repair, at as small an expenditure as possible, and seeIrq that the road is one in which the Government and tho Board are mutually interested, recommend that tlio Chunnan b» requested to interview tho Government on tiio subject, and endeavour to arrive at some tquitablo arrangement (or joint action in its proper construction and maintenance. 14. Removal of Material from No. 3 Derrick.—Tenders having been called for this work, the tender of Mr James Macarthur being lowest has been accepted. 15. Borth in Steamer iiasin.—Vessels of much larger tonnage and gteater draught of water being now aXe to como up tho Victoria Channel than can lie afloat at tho wharves, Dunedin. tho Pri'stman's crane, when relieved r.t Po:t Chalmers, has been ordered to deepen a berth at Rat tray street Wharf to at least ICft.

Clauses 1 to 5 of this report were adopted.— Clause G was referred to the Works Committee,

with power to act. —Clause 7, regarding the walling contract tenders, was referred to a special meeting of the Board to be called to accept the tendors which the Works Committee were empowered to accept on Monday.— Re clause 8, referring to tho working of the cranes, it was resolved that the charges be fixed at 3s, 3s Gd, and 4s respectively per hour. —Clause 9, re cost of dredging at Port Chalmers: The account to be sent to the Government, and the Chairman to interview Go\ eminent while

in Wellington; depreciation to ho charged in addition to interest at 10 per cent., the report providing only for 10 per cent., including the interest. —The other clauses were adopted, FINANCE COJI3IITTEE. The Finance Committee brought up a number of recommendations for regulations and charges in regard to pilotage rates and the use of landing-stages.1 The secretary was instructed to authorise tho necessary steps to be taken for the recommendations being placed in tho position of byeJaws instead of more resolutions of the Board. THE BAB. Captain Scott wrote stating that the plans of the Board having been submitted to Sir J. Coode's decision, he would confine his remarks to that gentleman's arrangements as embodying what must, ho (Captain Scott) imagined, be the most perfect plan for clearing the bar, &c, and then to mention other simpler means which appeared calculated to obtain the result aimed at far more quickly and at much less cost. The objections to the plans of walling (Sir J. Coode's) were:—" (1) That the harbour would be materially injured as a port of refuge—a want which increased commerce would soon render pressing—for the sharp scour between tho two walla will render it impossible oil the ebb, and difficult on the flood, for any disabled vessel to enter at night. So narrow an entrance require? exact steerage, and with a heavy sea astern, would render the

ship running for shelter liable to be wrecked even in daylight. (2) The narrowness of the channel off Warrington Point lessens the quantity of water which would otherwiso flow towards Port Chalmers; and although this contraction forces the water downwards, causing it to scoop out a channel three times as deep as that outside, still these and other hindrances keep back the water, so that there is 2ft less rise in the Upper' Harbour than at the Heads. (3) The walls of Sir John's plan would, I think, tend to still further lessen the amount of water reaching Port Chalmers through the Upper Harbour—that is, if they successfully resisted the undermining of the sharp scour below, and the action of the sea above them. (4) The ebb tide which now rises freely in a northerly direction, and allows the young flood to come in from the south aad eastward over, the bar, would, I think, tend to check the tidal waves at their (the walls') entrance; and looking at the long distance the water has to travel before the head of the Upper Harbour is. reached, the narrowing of the entrance seems inadvisable. While the costly plan of Sir J. Coode is under consideration, I think a trial mightbemadeof theeffect produced by cutting back the sandbank opposite Warrington Point, which, as the Board's engineer indicated, causes the deflection of the ebb in a northerly direction. I believe a mouth's steady work with explosives, aided by skilful sluicing, and the big dredge's assistance whenever unable to work on the bar, would produce a considerable improvement at comparatively small cost. It might be urged that this bank would soon reform, but careful consideration will, I think, Bhow that the removal of the causes (supposiug the bank to be sand 0nly) which have operated in its formation will preclude this, and that the opening out (through cutting a slightly concave curve) would rather tend to gradual increase of width. This effect would be more likely here than in the case of the other sandbank projections which are, I understand, to be removed in the Lower Harbour, Should rock underlie the sand at the leading light marks, it could be blown up without risk, for such debris would merely lessen thj depth to a slight extent, and tend to cause increase of width of channel off Warrington Point. The cutting away of the sandbank may not be a new suggestion, but it would, 1 believe, result in permanently deepening the bar channel, especially when aided by the dredging on the bar; it would also materially increase' tho amount of water flowing into the harbour, and thus facilitate the navigation of the port. On the other hand, while turning the course of the ebb tide in a more easterly direction, this cutting would not milita'.e against the free inflow of the flood, but the contrary, and were a groin on that wall constructed from the point at which Sir J. Coode's wall is to start, I think the bar difficulty would be entirely set at rest. Permit me, in conclusion; to point out that my fears as to Sir John's walls lessening the amount of inflow are not groundless, for the Board's engineer, whilst necessarily following upon the lines of so highly-esteemed an authority, has skilfully minimised the dangers I have ventured to indicate in his carefully-drawn plans." The letter was referred to the Works Committee. ENGINEEB'S AND INSPECTOR'S BEPOET3. The Engineer reported as follows :— I have now the honour to forward report of the Inspector of Works, showing what has been done in dredging and depositing during the month of May. It will be observed that the largo drudge hen done all that wan required of her in preparing a deep berth at tho George street Wharf for steamer lonic, and also that tbe friestman is still occupied there. Tho Vulcan is almost completed with the Victoria Channel, and will within another week be put to provide a deep-water berth at the Kattray street Wharf. Owing to tho improved capacity of the channel between Dunedin and the Port, it U now found that the provision of a deep berth somewhere In the sieimere" basin is a necessity, and that so soon as that is done it will bo possible to bring thetmallor-drausht ve.LCis arriving from Brit tin up to Dunedin. The siding to connect Jetty street Wharf with the gene/al railway system is being proceeded with, aud when completed will allow of tho Jetty street .> liari being employed to a greater extent than has titherto been the case. Ten itn for quarrying and loading stone into waggons at JTy-gan's Point for the works of the hulf-tiJc wall and reclamation are due on Monday next. It «iil bo remembered that no satisfactory tenders wore received for the execution of these woi ks for ft lump Bum; hence the reason of calling for theEe tenders for the quarrying alono. It has been found in excavating the deep berth at George street Wharf, Port Chalmers, that portions of the clay hearting an 1 the ttone pitching have slipped In, and that thus tlie work hat beea somewhat delayed. The P.iblic Works Department we o communicated with, and ttep3 have been taken by them to remove these stones, and to cope with the difficulty as well as possible, so as to prevent inco.-n'cme-.ec or ii k to the stetirocr lonic, now nearly duo. Tfcat department hag oko under consideration a scheme for the permanent improvement of the'wharf, wherebva-i ecai.reiice of a similar nature will bo prevented in the future. The report of the Inspector of tt'r.rks to tl.e i Board dealing with this matter ij herewith forwarded. The boiings upon the northern ram'spit at the Heads, and the pits at the proposed guam in that neighbourhood, as required by Sir Juhn Coode, wilt ba complete! today, and tho full information, besides duplicUes of that already sent will bo forwarded to him thiß week. Loiter upon the proposed bridge to YV'aver'ej', in reply to letter from Messrs Smith, Anderson, and to, accompanies this. The Inspector reported as follows: — I have tho honour to hand you annexed report on progress of works in my chargo for month ending 31st May last. There is nothing connected therewith requiring special mention. Dredge 222 finished dredging berth for tho lonic yesterday, nnd wili repair to the bir. 'I he Pric-atnmn will be finished alongside th« George street Wharf if all goes well, and etonea do not tumble in from tho pitching. Tue Vulcan ought to be through tho channel ia a'lothsr week, weather permitting. Boih Vulein and Priestman will be brought up to work in Btoamers1 baaiu when finished where now employed. Derricks Sai. 1 and 2 (at lUvensbourne), and No, 3 (Pclichefc Bay) will "bo continued, and No. 4 (at Stuart street) started next week to dispose of spoil dredged from tho basin. Lower Harbour Works.—During the month dredge 222 was employed 24 days dredging, and lifted in all 19 loa-Js. This repreai nts 105 hours' dredging, and 71 hours' steaming to aud from sea; other time spent in shifting and picking up moorings. Sixteen ilava were spent in dredging at Port Chalmers, when 17,850 tons, or 11,567 cubic yards, were lifted from the basin and deposited at sea. Eijjht days were spent on tho bar, when 1800 tons, or 1200 cubic yards, were lifted and deposited at sos. The expenditure for the month is ti3 follows I—Warree, £214 2s; coal and stores, £133 Is fid ; repairs,'£l4l 6s 3d ;—tot d, £4SS 9s—or equal to 9 3-lCd per cubic ya-d for lifting and deposi. iog. Upper Harbour Works.—The Vulcan continued dredging in the Victoria Channel widening and deepening (23 days in all, or 111 hours at work), during which timo 13,132 cubic yards were iif:e-J, and of which quantity B"S2 cubic yards were dredged with one ladder down in widening the channel to 70,'t from pile No. 17 upwards. Tho expenditiuefor the month is as follows-,—Wogeß, £158 1*« 8d ; coal, &c, £82 Gs; repairs, *32 7s-total, £273 7s BJ, or equal to 5d per cubic yard lifted. The lona tendered the Vulcan during tho month for 27 days, and towed punts to Blanket Bay, Kavensbourne derricks, and No. 3 derrick, Pulichot B.vy-in all 210 punts, or 4906 cubic yards, on a total expenditure of £125 lCs lOd, or equal to 6d per cubic yard. 'J his boat was aUo engaged towing ve3sols 'and other work, which accounts for tho above high average. The Ualclutbaalso tendered the Vulcan lor 25 dayp, and towed m above 251 punts, or GO3B cubic yards, on a total cspeadituro of £118 10s ad, or equal to 4Jd per cubic yard. This boat daily watered the derrick at Hayensbournc. Tho Iron Age also tendered tho Vulcan, till laid up on the Bth January, during which time 7S punta were towed, or 2252 cubic j'ards, on a total evpendituro of £42 Is od, or equal to 4Jd pr cubic yard. Two bo*h being sufficient for the Vulcan, tae Iron Ago was laid up—discharged. Depositing.—ln the beginning of May 100 sidepuutg were discharged into Blanket Bay, at a cost for discharging of £H os, or equal to 2|J per cubic yard. Slice then sll spoil has been disposed of at Havensbourne and Pelichet Bay dorricks. Derrick No. I.—Ravensbourne derrick No. 1 wa9 employed 20 days, and discharged 153 punts, or 8819 cubic yards, ou a total expenditure of £44 lla lid, or equal to 2J.1 per cubic yard.

I'erriek No. 2.—Raven3bourno derrick No. 2 was employed 22 days, anl discharged 333 pui-.t', equal to 2208 cubic yards, on an cxpetiditure of £57 3s 3d, or 4d per cubic 3'ard. Derrick No. 3.—Pelfchet Bay derrick No. 3 was employed 10 days, and disjharged 11G punts, equal to 2501 cubic 5 ards, on an expenditure of £55 Os 3d, or i\'\ per cubic yard. Spreading.'—The contractor for spreading spoil at Ravensbourne derricks ha? continued his contract work during the month to catkhstiou, and the worl: is we'l in hanJ. Reclamation.—Contract reclamation beyond Jetty street lias advanced 2?,G39 cubic yards to 9lh inst., and a topdrsssing ia being put on. Joira Aiton, Inspector. —Adopted. UPPER HAEBOUE. The Engineer reported :—

I have on several occasions included JUUI3 ill the estimates of works in tho Upper Harbour for widoning parts to 70ft and deepening to 14ft at low water. The particular t arfc^ which have been narrow iv the neighbourhood of pile 17 have been in that condition siuce ISSI, when the channel was or'gina'ly dredged and

bcfr.rc I was in office as your engineer. They eeem to be Ihe result of baddredgingonarelees measurement, and I believe their c million was fhin pointed out to tho then inspector of works, who directed the dredee-

master not to trouble with them at that time, it lias been my intention ail along since taking ottioe to have tho channel made of uniform width from cmi to end ; but it has always appeared to mo that the first parts to bo taken in hand were those shoals which seriously impeded navigation, and then attend to other parts. Now that these banks have boon reduced, the widen-

ing of those places would naturally have been attended to in carrying out my programme. If it is resolved to commence tho preliminaries for >ho traininj-wal] at tho Heads, the first step to bo taken would be the driving of tunnels into tho rock and tho tiring of ecverai largo biases. This would bo so much done towards the quarrj ing. and would givo intending contractors a thorough v sight to the character of tho etone and the probabio cost ot getting it. Ido not think tho construction of the approach railway would bo of any great gain at present, as this could 'be done by the contractor for tho main work whi'e he was getting his timber forward. If any material, however, had to bo cleared aw:iy while tho blasting was going on, then it should ba placed so as to suit tho I'ailway. If tho blasting bo undertaken tho tunnels necessary

could bo contracted for at per lineal foot. The report was referred to the Works Committee. HAKBBOUEMASTEIt'S EXPORT. Captain Thomson reported :— (1) That no change has,taken p'.ico in tho depth of water across thn bar sinco my last repast. Thrco vcs?ols drawing IOMt, and ono drawing:2lft, entered tho port during tho month. (2) The.-o is now telephonic communication between Capo Saunders and the Port, and no sooner was it established than information by samo was used to tbo advantage of two vessels petting the pilot and steam tug beforo they were sighted at the Heads, thereby saving time and tide. One cf them was the barque /.lastor, from Glasgow, drawing lßJft, ■ and could have proceeded to Dunedin direct from sea, but tho master finding that his chartor-parfcy required him to give delivery of his cargo at Tort Chalmers, and there being only 14ft at low water at Dunedin Whaif, whereat his vessol would touch ground, ho decidod to remain at Port Coalmeni. (3) But for the earthwork and large atones from Geprgo street Wharf at Port Chalmers falling into tho cutting being made for the s.s. loric, the berth would have been ready for tbo vo.-sol now, but 1 am hopeful that it may }ot be ready In tiu;o. (4) Tho pilots have tal^en soundings in the Victoria Channel, and report that in the gre3t. extent of channel there is f.-om 10 to 20ft at low water, except at three p'accj, where thoro is 12ft ot tho same state of tho tide. 'Hie Jasper, drawing 13f(, 3in, passed up through it af.'or tho tide had fallen 2!t. The Camille parsed down at high water drawing lift. (5) Tho burning of the railway goods-shed siifrgesti that fho Board should havo at least 20: ft o[ hose on the wharf ready for action in c-ise ot fire in vessels or the goods-shed*, and access to the fire-Hugs that aro at present kept under look and key by (he City Corporation. ((>) I have now to reti^ to iho death of Jamc* Dick, boatswain at Port Chalmers. He was on a'menage to tho Samiapit, and had gonoon horseback

,t h'u own request. Tho keeper cf tho leadinj ijrhts ana another man, seeing a saddled horse with-

™t a rider, looked • round, and discovered the body of tho deceased. .., . Acting: on instructions, 1

caused the funeral arrangement! toba midoottho expense of the Harbour Board. Thero are a widow and TwV^iH"? Io"' wbo havo "strong claim on the Board, their breadwlnnor bavin? lost fall life when on duty in its service (7) Tho returns ol shipping n,fti~^' rei £ n ve3Sels: inwards, •l IJ ht-7890 tons; «™*.«w-iiii|»taii Intercolonial: Inwards in,~ ?; V' nY oaimr<i». 13-U,JM tons. Oowttons. ' 10>779 tOm; outward». 00-18,899

The report was referred to the Works Comnutteo.

m The n 9HAi«MAN aaid that with regard to the man Dick there were special circumstances which would justify them digressing from the general rule laid down in such cases. Thoman, it was true, met his death while in theexecution «r , h d% but c £? had been sent on a special errand outside of hi 9 ordinary duties. Ho (Mr Fish) would suggest that the widow of deceased should receive three months' extra frTSf1"" 1110 -matte. r was eventually referred for the consideration of the Works Committee.

_~ THE BRIDOB TO WAVEittEY. lne Boards Engineer forwarded a special ™?°* °n the Proposal to build a bridge across the harbour-.to Waverley. The report was unthlwI 6 r thß.ProJect.-It was referred to the Works Committee.

TENDER. ■•,■■' Mr A. B. Campbell's tender for painting the Koputai was accepted.

ACCOUNTS. ■■■••■-• Accounts amounting to £1384 3a 5d were passed for payment.