HARBOR BOARD.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4735, 8 December 1886, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

The Harbor Borfrd met last night. Present : Messrs Graham (Chairman), G. L. Sunderland, Dickson, J. W. Sunderland, Townley, Chambers, Matthewson, Lewis, and Sievwright. THE HARBOR .SITE, The following letter from the Marine Department was read : — " I have the honor by direction of the Minister having chargo of this Department to acknowledge the receipt of your lettet of the 29th ult. submitting to the Government the proposal which has been made to the Board that the Gisborne breakwater should be constructed at Stoney Point instead of fct the site approved by the Governor in Council ; and in reply I am to state that the Government, after having carefully considered the matter, see no reason for agreeing to the proposed change of site. With regard to the question as to the coat of the breakwater, I am to reiterate the statement made in letter from this Department to the Board of the 9fch March last, that the responsibility of finding the funds to defray the whole cost of carrying out the plans will rest entirely on the Harbor Board, and in no manner with the Government." Mr Matthewson supposed the letter settled the matter for them. The Chairman said he presumed co. They had decided to go to Government first before they went to the expense of getting outside professional advice. Mr Matthewson said it was for the public to deal with the question now. He had protested all along and did so again at the asking of Government for their opinion before getting outside professional advice. The Government were practically asked to confirm their former action. Mr G. L. Sunderland differed with Mr Matthewson. It was not for the public to say what was to be done, but for the Board. They had put the thing very fairly to Government, and it was for them to now say they would build the breakwater. If it were the public that was to decide the question what was the use of having a Board at all. The letter was received. ENGINEER'S »EP OKT. The Engineer reported as follows : — Railway : Mr McLaughlin is busy with the siding at Papawhariki, and will finish it in a few days. Blockyard : The blockyard formation contract is nearly completed. Cement Shed : Mr Skeet hag made very good progress with the cement shed, and got a cargo of timber last week for that work. Viaduct Extension : A cargo has also come for the viaduct extension, but some of it is of a very inferior quality, not fit for our work. The contractor has commenced pile driving. Blockyard Railway, &c. : A vessel with sleepers for the blockyard railway left Napier yesterday, and Mr Fhiips hopes to begin work at once. Workshop : Tenders for the workshop should be in to-day. It will be necessary to push on with this contract in order to be ready to erect the plant when the Arkenshaw arrives. Water Supply: With regard to the water supply, there ia a small spriDg on the hill near the engine shed. A pipe, dam, and a water tank at the railway would cost about £40, but it would be necessary to get permission to do the work. Cement : Tenders were opened on Wednesday last for 2000 tons of cement, but not decided upon. The prices offered are satisfactory. With regard to the makers, White's, Knight's, Gosling, and Gresham were mentioned in the specification. Lees and Robin's are also of long standing. With regard to the others I would like some information as to what marine work they have beeb used on. Plant : I have received the original invoices of all the material coming out in the Arkenshaw. She left London on the 21st Oct. The freight is £1200, and she has on board 2,785 casks of cement, 10,244 yards of jute sacking, all the plant tendered for by Messrs McEwen, and jail the special plant by Messrs Stothert and Pitt, except the setting machine, sand pump, and a 30-ton bag box. I think there is about 870 tone on board. It will be necessary at next meeting to call tenders for timber scaffolding for erecting plant, also for a number of articles that will be required at the work. I have not had time to prepare the list for this meeting, but everything must be on the ground before the Arkenshaw gets out. PAYMENTS .' MR DICKSON's MOTION. Accounts totalling £808 2s were passed for payment. Mr Dickson moved his motion relative to changing the breakwater site, and advanced arguments previously used in support of the change. Mr Matthewson seconded. No other member spoke and the motion was lost by seven to two.