HARBOR BOARD.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3338, 13 December 1883, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

An ordinary meeting of the Board was held to-day. Present—Messrs Moody (chairman), Elworthy, Gray, Jonas, J. S. Gibson, Sutter, Acton, Kelland, J. Wilson and A. Hayes. THE LOAN. The Chairman said he had not received any official notification of the completion of the loan transaction, but ho presumed the report in the papers was a correct one. Mr Jonas endorsed the remarks of the Chairman, and added that he thought the action of the Bank of New Zealand all through had entitled that institution to the full confidence of the Board. Mr Elworthy said he also rejoiced at the news, but he felt bound to say there had been an unaccountable delay, involving some loss, which, though trivial, was still a loss.

Mr Gibson said he gave every credit for disinterestedness in the matter, but he thought any delay was chargeable, in fairness, to the Board itself, which had failed to decide upon the minimum for a long time. When that was fixed the Bank lost no time. He thought the terms on which the loan had been floated were very favorable, even more so than those attending any other loan. He advocated letting by-gones be by-gones, ond all parties rejoicing " together, (Hear, hear.) Mr Elworthy took exception to this. The Oamaru loan had really been better placed than ours. The matter then dropped. CORRESPONDENCE.

Correspondence was read From the Marine Department re advising arrival of vessels at Port Chalmers.

From the same re lighthouse lamp glass supply. From the Railway Department,declining to allow its employe’s to work on the wharf during extra hours, as asked (through the Board) by Mr Evans. From Mr A. White asking for remission of charges in connection with ballasting. Declined.

From Mr J. Thompson, boat-builder, asking for a site for building a shed, a little further North than the boatingshed.

Mr Jonas opposed the application on the ground that it would form a precedent for all sorts of applications for space. Mr Sutter supported the application.

Mr Gibson suggested referring the matter to the Harbormaster and the Chairman with power to act. This course was adopted. REVENUE.

The returns of tho railway wharf for the month, were shown to be £251 16s lid. The Landing Service, the Chairman stated, was a little in debit owing to heavy expenditure for repairs, &c. LANDING SERVICE REPORT.

“ I have the honor to report the arrival of 15 vessels during the month. I have landed and shipped in all 1208 tons. The gross earnings being £2Ol 9s Id, and the expenditure £327 9d. The Service was closed for five days for repairs to the boiler, which were completed to the satisfaction of Mr Croll, who has allowed a fall pressure of steam for the current year. The above amount of £327 9d includes accounts for timber, and bolts for rereplacing snrf boat ways, £4612s 6d, and timber for fittings for the boats, £l4 15s, as well as costs of the repairs to the boiler £7117s 2d, in all £132 14s 7d. The smallest amount of cargo shipped in any month during the year by the Service was shipped in November, and what work was done was not calculated to bring the Board in any revenue.”

harbormaster's report,

The following report was read from the Habormaster: —

“I have the honor to report that during the month of November, the harbor department under my charge, has been satisfactorily conducted. The weather being favorable, all intercolonial and coastal vessels have been worked at the wharf. During the month 15 vessels have arrived, of the aggregate register tonnage of 2985 tons, and 18 vessels have sailed, of the aggregate register tonnage of 3531 tons, all have received very good dispatch. “The surf boats and appliances, to lay the screw moorings, are now ready, and I will take advantage of the first fine weather.

“In the Engineer’s plan of the last contract for the Breakwater there is a section laid out for the Harbormaster’s yard. I beg you will allow this to be fenced in, as the block-making ground and contractors plant are close to it. As requested by your Committee I hand in a sketch of a suitable lighter for this port, with description of rig, outfit, &c, “During the month soundings have been taken as per book of soundings. There does not appear to bo any alteration in the depth of water beyond the channel made alongside the wharf with the Priestman dredge. The small tee from the wharf has boon shoot-piled, and does not appear to affect vessels lying moored at the wharf." engineeb's bepobt. “ I have the honor to report on tbo harbor works for the past month as follows “ Breakwater Contract No. s.—The weather having been very unsettled, only moderate progress has been made. Foundation blocks have been laid to a distance of 40 feet. The front of the work is now clear, and, with better weather, greater progress will bo made in the future. Timber for the new block ground is arriving dailj r , and tho 40 tons of steel rails applied for to tho Government have come to hand.

“ Wharf Contract No. 6 (Extension).— This work has been begun, but no groat

progress can be made until the delivery of the iron bark piles. The blue-gum decking for this contract has arrived. “ Wharf Contract No. 7 (T wharf). — This contract is nearly completed. The rubble mound has been made beneath the old wharf, and has been built up against the two bays of sheet piling on the T wharf. The result of this work has been satisfactory, and no fears can be entertained that it will increase the range, and so injure the adjacent berthage. After consultation with the Harbormaster, the sheet piling has been extended another bay, and the rubble mound is being carried out further.

“Iron Bark Timber Contract.—A telegram from Messrs Paterson and Co., states that a vessel was on its way to bring the timber. It may be hoped that the piles will arrive shortly. “Dredging.—This work has been completed for the time being. Alongside the whole length of the wharf, the silt has been dredged to the required depths, and in places deeper. The berthage accommodation is therefore thoroughly good.

tions have been made to proceed with this work. Borings are about to be taken to ascertain the nature of the ground, and as the preparations for this part of the work involves much that will be needed to place the screw moorings, it may be found advantageous to proceed with placing the screw moorings instead of calling for tenders. “Store Yards.—As the stores for the Harbormaster’s and Engineer’s departments are now lying astray in all directions, it will be advisable to yard in behind the Engineer’s office, and Harbormaster’s store, and also to erect light sheds for goods liable to suffer from rain. The entire cost will not be above £BO. Permission is requested for this work.” STANDING COMMITTEE’S REPORT. “ In reference to the application of the Manager of the Landing Service for aSO ton lighter, the Committee recommend that the Board send an order through Mr Darling, for a steel lighter, as per memo, sent to the Chairman by Mr Darling. The Chairman to arrange freight, whether by weight or measure, and obtain an estimate for erecting her, after arrival. “The Committee having requested the Harbormaster as to the lengths of chain required to complete the moorings as per plan on the table, they recommended that tenders be called for laying down the three screw moorings in positions pointed out by the Harbormaster, the Engineer and Harbormaster to prepare a specification for the purpose. Tenders to be for labour only. Further, that two lengths of 120 fathoms each, of two inch chain, be ordered from Home. “ The Committee replied to a letter from the Timaru Borough Council of November 15, informing them that rubbish might be deposited south of Patiti Point, provided such rubbish be not offensive or proved, in the opinion of theßoard’s officers to be prejudicial to the harbor. An advertisement was inserted in the daily papers, and the Secretary was ordered to have notice boards placed on the beach.

“la reference to the letter from the manager of the National M. and A.Co., in which he states that he will look to the Board to recoup him on expenses incurred on cargo for Seatoller, the committee recommend that theßoard’s officers having offered to take delivery at the usual charges on the list,the Board should decline to recognise any liability, and the committee think that the charges made for temporary storage including receiving and delivery are reasonable.” MALICIOUS STATEMENTS, Messrs Woollcombe and Clulee (agents for the Equitable Insurance Association of New Zealand) wrote, forwarding the following extract from a letter prompted by Captain Bussell,the Association’s marine surveyor in Dun. edin:—“ It is stated here that the Association’s surveyor has reported that the shingle has silted up inside the Breakwater, and that there is now less water than formerly. It is also stated that there is so much haste in loading that the cargo is improperly stowed, and the vessel consequently rendered unseaworthy. The last vessel for the United Kingdom which loaded inside the Breakwater, is reported to have had only six inches under her keel.” Messrs Woollcombe and Clulee asked for an authoritative contradiction to such damaging statements. The Chairman suggested that the Board should go into Committee to consider the foregoing, but this was warmly opposed by nearly all the members. Mr Jonas—Who is Captain Russell ?

A Voice —He’s a lunatic. (Laughter.) Mr Jonas —Then he ought to be shut up in the Asylum, that’s all, (Laughter). Mr Acton said, warmly, that for his own part ho would not allow this letter to remain unanswered for a single hour, He would advocate its being replied to forthwith by the Chairman. Such a statement was absolutely false, about the silting up in the harbor. (Hear, hear.) Mr Jonas remarked that the man who set such a report in circulation was clearly mad. Mr Gibson observed that the Board was merely encountering such malice as always attacked those who were successful, He advocated consulting the Harbormaster before replying. Captain Webster, Harbormaster, here entered ; and, in reply to the Chairman, said the statements concerning the silt* ing up, shallowness of the water, and improper loading of vessels, were simply ridiculous. He was not surprised at their emanating from Captain Bussell, however, for he was always kicking up a row with somebody. (Laughter.) It was finally agreed to request the Harbor-master to prepare an official report on the depth of the harbor ; and the following resolution, moved by Mr Gibson seconded by Mr Sutter, was passed : —“ That the letter from Woollcombe and Clulee, re shipping facilities at this port, bo referred to the Harbormaster to report, and furnish information required, and forward a copy to Messrs Woollcombeand Cluloe.”

The following motion, by Mr Acton, seconded by Mr Elworthy, was ordered to be forwarded to Messrs Woollcombe and Clulee—“ That in reply to the letter from Messrs Woollcombe and Clulee, dated Dec. 8, the Timaru Harbor Board think it barely necessary to state that no shingle has ever drifted or accumulated within the Breakwater; that the too hasty loading of vessels is not within the responsibility of the Harbor Board; nor is there any evidence of its occurrence, and that the Surveyor to the Association appears to be singularly mis-informed, AN UNPLEASANT AFFAIR. Certain correspondence was read from Mr Spalding, local manager oftheN.M. and A. Company of New Zealand, relative to certain charges in connection with the loading of the barque Seatoller. The affair was as followsOn November 8, Mr Spalding wrote asking the Board to allow him demurrage on certain truck loads of preserved meat, which were waiting to bo shipped on board the barque Seatoller, at that time discharging her ballast at the outer anchorage. (The Board’s officers had offered to take charge of this meat at a certain regulation figure, but Mr Spalding had declined to pay it.)

In tho same letter, be requested that the tug might bring the barque inside the breakwater that evening after six o’clock. The barque had not been brought in till the following day, and it was five days after that, before the cases of meat were put on board, and it was the expense thus incurred which the Board was asked to refund. Mr Spalding forwarded another letter in which he stated that he had delayed forwarding the Seatoller’s accounts to Shaw, Seville and Co., because he did not wish to send this item of £7, fearing it might lead to enquiries and explanations damaging to the reputation of the Port for promptitudo and liberality. The Chairman stated that he had made enquiries into these matters, and and thought the Landing Service had not treated the shippers quite well, in refusing to bestir themselves to load the vessel.

The Harbormaster, in reply to the Chairman, stated that he did not bring the vessel inside the Breakwater when requested to do so, because the hour was then unreasonably late, the ballast was not discharged, and the following day was a holiday. Besides the cases of moat were not shipped for days after the vessel was brought in. Mr Jonas said he regretted that such a letter had been written ; he did not think threatening letters from Mr Spalding ought to compel the Board to act. He was not inclined to allow outsiders to come and browbeat the Board’s officers.

The Harbormaster said he believed the real causa of the trouble was unpleasantness between Mr Spalding and the captain of the Seatoller. The Board decided to adhere to the adoption of the Standing Committee’s report on the subject, declining to grant the concession. TUE ENGINEER ON LEAVE. Mr GoodalJ, Engineer to the Board, requested three weeks’ leave of absence from to-day, to admit of bis visiting Napier for the purpose of making surveys for the construction of a harbor there. Permission was at once accorded. ACCOUNTS. Accounts were passed for payment as follows Landing Service, £255 3a 7d : general account, £1727 18s 7d. It was decided to hold the next meet, ing of the Board on January 3, The Board then rose.