HARBOUR BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9337, 30 January 1892, Page 5 (Supplement)

HARBOUR BOARD

An adjourned meeting of the Harbour Board was held .yesterday afternoon, when there were present—Messrs 11. (Jourh-y (chiiirmaii), W. Wright, (i. M.Barr, E. 15. Cai^ill, A. Thomson,

J. T. Mackerras, M. Joel, J. Carroll, E. G Allen, AV. Diiwson, M.JJ.K., and Dr Drysdale.

WORKS COM.MITTCK'S KKI'CKiT

The consideration of tlie Works Committee's report, which was submitted (o the board at the meeting on the previous day, was taken UJI.

The Secretary laid <ni the table a lily of documents relating to proposed works in the lower harbour, about which it was proposed to secure the opinion of Sir John Coode, the recommendation of the committee being "that all the information available bo forwarded to Sir John Ooodo."

Mr jfcirr produced a copy of his plan upon which Mr O'Connor, the late marine engineer had reported. '

Mr Ma!.-khhhas said that some time ago a plan or scheme was submitted by Sir Ban- to the board, and Mr Barr's report was sent to Mr O'Connor, the marine engineer of the Government, for his opinion, along with, he thought, a proposal from the board's inspector, Mr Stephens, which had been submitted to the board, based on suggestions by General Fulton. He understood that those were the plans and proposals which it was ultimately decided should be sent Home to Sir John. Coode for his opinion. If that were so, it should ha adhered to simply, and there was no occasion for new plans. The decision of the board was to ask the opinion of Kir .John Coode regarding the competing plans of Mr Barr and Mr Stephens, which were submitted to Mr O'Connor.

The Chaiumw remarked that the Works Committee decided the other day that ail the available plans should be sent 'to .Sir John Coode.

Mr Dai£», referring to the remarks of Mr Mackerras, declared that he was not putting anything new before the board. When his plans were sent to Mr O'Connor, the latter asked for an estimate, which he (Mi- Barr) gave. Mr O'Connor then came down and looked at the locality, and, after returning to AVellington, sent down a report, of which there was a copy on the table. Mr O'Connor agreed with him that something should be done in the way of training the currents immediately and of dredging, but recommended several transverse walls, instead of a longitudinal wall and a groin. In the document which he (Sir Barr) submitted to the AVorks Committee the other day there was rather more in the way of infor-" mation than in the report which was sent up to Mr O'Connor.

Mr Mackkuuas : That is not fair

Mr Baku continued : After his report was submitted to the Government, Mr Stephens prepared _ a scheme on what he thought were the principles laid down by Mr O'Connor, but the Government put their absolute veto on that scheme. Then, the speaker's report was practically left in possession of the field, and it was brought before the board by a distinct resolution.

Mr .Tom. observed that an estimate was given by Mr Barr that the work which he proposed would cost L12.211, and probably there would bo commission to be paid 0:1 the work. Mr B.vuu: I disclaim the imputations of motives which this member is making. Mr Jour, denied that he was imputing •motives, but it followed as a natural consequence of the appointment of a person to carry out a work that that person should obtain a commission; and it also followed that the person appointed would be the person who would carry out the work most effectively and satisfactorily. It therefore went without saying—members were blind if they could not see it—Slui they would call in Mr Be.rr to carry oui, tho work if they adopted his plans. He thought it desirable that the board before committing themselves to any such expenditure .should ascertain without a doubt, if the work would be effective, and he believed that at the present moment {liere was a_ gentleman in this city who was capable of giving them some advice regarding those plans, and who at all events could state wh ither the data on which the plans were msde were correct. If they were to scud Home to Sir John Coode for his opinion of plans, based upon data which were not proporly ascortained, the eifeci; might be to ni'slead Sir John Coode and th-j board. He urged that the matter should be referred tj tho gen lemau to whom he had allud=;d.

Dr Duysdai.k: To whom ? Name. Mr Joel s.iid he referred tu . - Leslie Reynolds, who had been assisting ei rineer to Sir John Goode, who had been entrusted with several large works in various parts of vhe world, and who, he believed, was a very competent man. He moved— •< Th:it tin whole of the. plans and specifications be. referred to Mr Reynolds, assisting engineer to Sir Jc ai Coode, to report upon, and also to ascertai i that the data upon which the plans and spi diications are based are correct before sending them to Sir JohnCoode."

The amendment was not secoii-led, and accordingly lapsed.

Mr Allen moved, and Dr Duysdalk seconded, the original motion for the adoption of the report.

Mr C.tnnrr.:. confessed that he was in a fo<about the matter. The AYorks Committee, r.s he understood, approved of certain memoranda and plans being submitted to Sir Ji.lm Coode, but before they proceeded further they should hear the memoranda read to the board.

The Secretary then read to the bo- rd a draft of a letter to be sent to Sir John Coo e, inviting his opinion; also the report of ?.K- Stephens and a memorandum from General F.ilton.

Mr Dav.^on' did- not think that General Fulton's memorandum should be sent Home.

Mr Mack.huhas : That was agreed upon. Mr Dawson- :It is begging the question. I think we should send Mr Stephen's report Home.

Mr Ar.i.i:.v thought that the whole of the information they had should be sent Home.

Mr Carroll also urged that the whole of the available information should be sent to Sir John Coode, for they desired his opinion after a. thorough analysis of all the reports. Tiie motion for the adoption of the 'Works Committee's report was then put and carried. The meeting then adjourned.