TIMARU HARBOUR BOARD.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 4984, 17 April 1889, Page 3

TIMARU HARBOUR BOARD.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Timaru Harbour Board was held to-day. Present—Mr E. Acton (chairman), Captain Woollcombe, Captain Sutter, Messrs K. F. Gray, J. S. Wilson, I. L. Morris, T. Teschemaker, D. M. Ross, and J. Manchester. CORRESPONDENCE. Mr W. J. Steward, M.H.R, wrote approving of the proposal originating in Oamaru for the consolidation of local bodies’ loans. He was sure it could bo done. A number of letters were received from other boards approving of this board’s proposed amendment of the Harbours Act with reference to the responsibilities of harbour masters. The letters are to be handed to Mr Turnbull, who in conjunction with Mr Downie Stewart will undertake to introduce a bill. Mr O. G. Tripp wrote offering a suggestion for dealing with the shingle accumulation — Acknowledged with thanks. The Canterbury Marine Underwriters Association asked that Captain Clarkson, harbormaster, bo permitted to act as marine surveyor for the Association—Agreed to. Tho railway wharfage return for the four weeks ending March 2nd credited to tho board £439 17s 3d. HARBOR MASTER’S REPORT. The harbormaster reported the arrival of 24 steamers and 8 sailing vessels, of an aggregate registered tonnage of 13,303 tons, and tho departure of 23 steamers and 5 sailing vessels, [during March. The weather through the month was fine. A screu mooring outside the chequered buoy was recommended. Some shingle was required on the approach to tho Moody wharf, as it is almost impassable in wet weather. It was agreed to supply the shingle asked for. THE TUG. The chairman reported that Captain Cameron and Mr Cook, of tho Union S.S. Company, visited Timaru on Tuesday week, and wore met by himself, tho Mayor, Captain Woollcombe, and Captain Suiter, and they had, pursuant to request, forwarded a written report on the question of a tug for the port. The report stated that after due consideration of all tho circumstances and requirements of the port, they wore of opinion that the most suitable boat, for all general purposes and for special necessities, would be a steel paddle boat, with compound engines of 90 h.p. nominal, 450 indicated, with boiler capable of raising steam equal to 500 h.p. indicated, for moments of necessity. Many details of the best construction wore given in the report. A separate report on the Titan was received from these gentlemen and was read in committee. Mr Gray then made the motion of which he had given notice to rescind the resolution passed two months ago, that a new tug bo got from England, He condemned the proposal to spend money on a new tug for several reasons; the trade of the port is now largely done Uy steamers and there are few sailing vessels employed; the revenue is not flourishing ; he did not believe it would cost so much as was stated to repair the , Titan ; if they spent soverals thousands on a ) tug it would be money lying idle, eating up revenue iu interest. t Captain Woollcombe seconded the motion, simply because tho resolution bound them to [ go to England fora tug. [ Mr Teschemaker also spoke against repair* . ing the Titan. Mr Gray replied to Mr Teschemaker, and his motion was then carried. Captain Sutter then moved and Captain Woolcombo seconded a motion in precisely \ the same terms as the resolution rescinded, except that the words “ from England ” 3 were omitted, thus ordering that tho Titan be 1 repaired sufficiently to do tho work till a new tug can bo obtained, it being j left open where tho tug is to bo got. The mover said they were bound to provide a tug whose conditions would satisfy tho Government Inspector of machinery, [and Mr Cro! i. had told them ho could not continue tin ,b certificate much longer unless the Titan wen o very extensively repaired. Mr Gray had saic o most of the trade was now done by steamers i- It seemed to him (Captain Woollcombe) thm :e the tendency now is to construct larger sail y ing vessels for the merchant service, vessel of 2000 tons and upward, with Hgllt draughl

of [water, and if such vessels come here they must have a powerful tug to handle them. Captain Sutter briefly supported the motion. Mr Flatman wished the motion to fix upon a paddle boat. The harbour master said decidedly that a paddle boat was the proper one, and in such harbours as this at Homo even screw steamers were towed in and out by paddle tugs. Mr Gray proposed as an amendment —“That the Titan be reported oh by a marine mechanical engineer as to the cost of putting the tug into a condition to do the work of the board for five years, the, report to be in by next meeting.” Mr Flatman seconded the amendment. He thought they ought to make quite sure that the Titan was so bad as she was described. Mr Teschemaker considered that if the Titan were repaired she would not be equal to the work required of her. 1 Mr Morris opposed the amendment. They could not make her fit to do the work for five years. The Mayor said the Titan if repaired would not be strong enough. Air Gray wanted to know who had said the Titan was not powerful enough. The chairman said the harbourmaster and Captain Cameron and Air Cook had reported that the Titan at her best would not be competent to do the work when the north mole is finished. The amendment was put and lost by 5 to 4, and the motion was carried by 7 to 2. On the motion of Captain Sutter the report of Captain Cameron and Mr Cook was * received” —(the words “and adopted ” wer objected to by Mr Gray, and were struck out) —with tho thanks of the board. Mr Ross moved and Captain Sutter j seconded : —“ That the superintending en- : gineer in Glasgow of the Union Company be j authorised to procure a new tug pursuant to ! the recommendations made to the board by . Messrs Cook and Cameron suitable for the i port of Timaru ; and that the said engineer : have the tug built by public tender.” | The mover remarked that they had had the \ best advice, and should follow it. Ho fully I believed that a very powerful tug would bo necessary at times when tho north wail is : finished. Captain Sutter said they ,bad taken every I precaution, had got first-class opinions, and j should follow them. _ i Mr Wilson would support the motion, but j would like some idea of tho cost of such a , boat. |

Mr Teschemoker would not give them a free hand at Home; that would never do. The chairman suggested that tho tenders should be cabled out to the board for acceptance. The mover and seconder agreed to add to the motion, “ the price to be cabled to the board for consideration before acceptance.” Captain Woollcombe was in favour of trying whether they could not get the engines from Home and fit up tho boat in Dunedin. He was afraid of tho great expense and risk of bringing out so small a boat, the risk being represented by a heavy insurance premium. Captain Woollcombe moved and Air Flatman seconded as an amendment. “That further inquiry be made in New Zealand as as to obtaining a tug in conformity with the report ; such 1 information to be laid before next meeting.” The mover repeated his fear of the cost of bringing out a tug, and again, if tho tug were built in the colony they could place their own inspector on it. Tho seconder was strongly in favor of giving the colonists a chance, and keeping the money in the colony it possible. The amendment was put and lost by 5 to 4 ; the original carried by 6 to 3. The remainder of the report is held over.