HARBOR BOARD.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3314, 15 November 1883, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

An ordinary mooting of the Board was held to-day. Present—Messrs Moody (chairman), Elworthy, Gray, Talbot, J. S. Gibson, Sutter, Acton, Kelland, J. Wilson and J. Hayes. COBEESPONDHNCE. Boutine correspondence was road and approved. In reference to some correspondence on the subject of the Board’s charges for temporary storage of grain, the Board referred the whole question to the Committee to report. The manager of the N.Z. Grain Agency wrote in reply to the Board’s letter va

delay of the barque Norway in leaving this port for the Capo of Good Hope, explaining the circumstances and concluding with the following observation : —“ I feel some surprise that you should have thought it necessary to write to me advising us how you think we should manage our business."

STANDING COMMITTEE’S REPORT. The Committee reported that Mr W. Kennedy, of Greymouth, had declined to purchase the steam tog Titan, and in view of the Board probably deciding to purchase a new tug at Home, the Committee recommended that the Chairman and Harbormaster interview Mr Darling in Dunedin, with a view of obtaining detailed information to guide the Board. The Committee further reported that they had informed the Under-Secretary for Railways that the Board declined to keep the lines in repair. The report was adopted. engineer’s report. The following report wes read : “ I have the honor to report on the progress of the Harbor works for the last month, as follows : “Breakwater contract, No. 4—The maintenance time for this contract expired on the 11th inst., the contractors are therefore entitled to receive their deposit, excepting a sum (say £SO) that will be sufficient to cover the cost of a few small repairs, which should have been done during the maintenance, and which they were unable to execute on account of unfavorable weather. The time of completion of this contract was exceeded by twenty-three weeks, caused entirely by weather. “Breakwater contract, No. s—The contractors for this work have commenced operations, and Have laid 26 feet in length of foundation blocks. As there were many displaced blocks in front of the last contract, the work of replacing them has been long and tedious, and has taken considerable time. Preparations have also been made by the contractors to begin forming the new block ground. For this purpose they have brought on the ground a steam travelling crane to act as elevator, and afterwards to be utilised in the block-yard. “Wharf contract No. 6 (extension). — This work cannot be begun until sufficient iron bark piles are delivered by Messrs Paterson and Co. “Wharf contract No. 7 (Twharf).— This work is well advanced, and nearly ready for decking, the timber for which is not yet at hand, but is expected daily. The rubble mound will be begun at once. The time for completion of this work expired on the 13th inst. “ Ironbark timber contract.—l have received a letter from Messrs Paterson and Co., relating to this contract, and have replied that the communication will be laid before the Board. It is herewith attached. “ Dredging.—This work along the wharf is proceeding satisfactorily, and could have been finished some time ago, but for the delay caused by the wharf being occupied by vessels. A length of about sixty feet now remains to complete the work for the time being. Screw moorings.—Beacons for guidance in fixing the positions of the screw moorings have been erected on the beach and preparations are being made to obtain borings so that contractors wishing to tender for placing the moorings may bo able to judge the nature of the ground. “ Locomotive crane contract.—A letter from Kincaid and McQueen, relating to this contract is herewith attached.” landing service report. The Manager of the Landing Service reported as follows : “ I have the honor to report the arrival of 27 vessels during the month. I have landed and shipped in all 2601 tons, the gross earnings being £433 16s 3d and the nett £156 15s 6d.

“On Oct. 29, there being a strong N.E. jobble at the time, one of the iron surfboats broke away from her moorings. She came into collision with one of the concrete blocks near the sea wall, and had a hole knocked in her, which has since been repaired by the Board’s carpenter, “The new parts required for the Service boiler as pointed out by the Government Inspector has been ordered from John Anderson, and is now being fitted ; the boiler will again be inspected before Mr Cross leaves the town, and a certificate for the ensuing year obtained, “It will be necessary to obtain at once some timber for the renewal of part of the ways. I have pointed out to the Engineer what is required. Until the work is done, there will be a danger of the boats getting through the ways when pulling up or launching.”

harbormaster’s report. The Harbormaster reported that during the month of October, 26 vessels of a gsoss tonnage ofs4B7had arrived in Port and that 24 vessels of a tonnage of 5554 bad sailed. He also submitted a recommendation from the Lighthouse Inspector to procure an Argand burner for the lighthouse. The report was adopted and it was ordered that the Argand burner be procured. FINANCIAL. The Board went into Committee on the subject of finance. On resuming the Board passed the following accounts Landing Service, £277 Os 9d ; general account, £1413 14s lid. The Board then adjourned.