HARBOUR BOARD.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 6245, 18 June 1890, Page 3

HARBOUR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Timaru Harbour Board was held co day. Present: Mr E. Acton (chairman), Captains Woolleombeand Sutter, Messrs J. Talbot, J. Manchester, I. L. Morris, R. A. Parker, and the Mayor of Timaru. correspondence. Correspondence was read as follows : From Mr O’Connor,marine engineer,inquiring cost of the harbour works and area of tbe harbour. A reply bad beon sent that the cost was £281,000. Mr O’Connor replied that in April 1887, the cost of the works in hand and completed was £280,000, and since then the north wall had been completed, estimated to cost £40,000, making the cost £320,000. How did the difference ur.s,' ? The secretary had written pointing out t!.at Mr O’Connor had made a mistake. 'Jhe Napier Barbour Board telegraphed for a copy of the Board’s Bill for altering the manner of collecting the harbour rate, as they intended to propose a similar bill themselves. —Information and copy-of bill to be sent. Messrs Perry and Perry forwarded draft of the Bill, which was read, and some comments made upon it. On one point it was remarked that power should be obtained to force the collecting body to pay tbe necessary contribution promptly. Mr Talbot suggested that power should be given to the County Council- (if the collection is given to these bodies) to add the cost of a special collection in a road district which did not pay up promptly. The chairman agreed to sea Messrs Perry and Perry about this point. The Bill to be advertised at once and sent to Mr Turnbull to be passed if possible through both Houses. From the Marine Department asking for information respecting alterations in the harbour, for inclusion in the New Zealand Pilot.

From the Otago Harbour Board approving of the board’s circular respecting the liability of harbour masters.

A letter was received from the Harbourmaster’s crew drawing attention to the long hours they had to work, and applying for an increase of wages, and for payment for overtime; also that the night-watchman, in consequence of the increase in his duties, be paid 9s per night, so as not to be less than ordinary labour.

The chairman said this traversed the matter of wages which was arranged at last meeting. Mr Barker said he had heard that the engineer’s men did not work so long hours and got the same pay. The secretary slated that the men started at 6 a.m. and worked till 5, and sometimes 10 at night. The men on the wharf were getting Is 3d an hour now instead of la. Mr Boss said they worked hard for their money, and he hoard that they were dissatisfied.

Mr Talbot thought the letter was dicta' tional in tone. There must bo something un dernoath it.

Mr Morris suggested the reference of tho letter to the Standing Committee for enquiry and this was agreed to. An application for the use of the slip for the Spray, asked for a reduction of the rates, or remission of the charge on the days of going on and off. The Spray would be on about ten days.—Applicant to bo met half way in the remission suggested. STANDING COMMITTEE. The Standing Committee;recommended that when the diver is engaged where there is any special risk, he be allowed extra pay.— Approved, engineer’s report. The engineer reported as folllows : “ Breakwater.—We have now sot thirty blocks at the end of tho breakwater. I purpose leaving things as they are until after the next heavy sea, when I shall try to place a few more out there. “ North Mole.—The maintenance period has expired, and the work is now wholly in the board’s hands.

“ Wharf lighting.—l have read the correspondence relating to this subject and think that the Railway Department are asking more than there is any occasion to provide. I think if two extra lamps were placed on a cross arm and attached to each lamp mast on the breakwater, that ample light would bo provided without erecting a third mast. Also that if half the lights asked for were erected on tho Moody wharf there would be no valid ground of complaint. “Dredging.—Since last'meeting the Taniwha has dredged and discharged 4389 tons of spoil in 22 working days. It is necessary that a now cast steel race should bo provided for the wharferane. Tenders could be called for it in the Colony, or we could make a pattern and send it to England for casting and finishing.

"Duke of Sutherland Wreck.—We have returned the gun-cotton to Wellington. If possible we shall re-cornmence operations on the wreck to-morrow, using dynamite as the explosive." The reference to the lighting of the wharves was founded upon a letter from the Railway Department complaining of the lighting. The board promised to fix Wenham lamps of 120 candle power. These were put up and then taken down and replaced by burners which cannot exceed 20 cp. Mr Austin requested that these small lamps be removed and lamps of the stipulated power, 120 c.p. erected. Another mast was also required on the wharf and another common light post. Ho also asked for six more lamps on the Moody wharf each of 30 candle power, A discussion took place on this lighting question, Mr Merchant explained that ho proposed to add two more lamps on each wharf mast, making three on each. Mr Austin was wrong as to the power of these mast lumps, each had two duplex burners, and must be of 50 candle power. The wharf was a very awkward one to light, as it was not wide enough to allow of lamp-posts being placed between the rails, tho lamps bad to throw light clear across the wharf. It was resolved on the motion of Mr Roes that the engineer prepare specifications for additional lighting of the wharves as proposed, and call for tenders by next meeting.

A tender for the crane race to be invited in the colonv.

The engineer stated that ho could not get at the wreckage this week, as the use of the slip had been applied for and the men must get it ready. harbourmaster’s report.

The harbourmaster reported the arrival during May of 33 steamers and 7 soiling vessels. The weather during the month was moderately fine. On the subject of moorings he wrote : “ I bog respectfully to point out that when I have two or three vessels swinging at the buoys too much space is taken up, making it very inconvenient for steamers going out at night. I would thereupon suggest that two additional screw moorings be put down in the harbour, and also that moorings be fixed in the north mole so that vessels may be moored head and stern.” Two coils of 4in, and one of 3frin coir rope were wanted. Captain Butter said he had pointed out that these moorings should be put down, as part of the North Mole scheme, before the

mole was built. There were one fluked anchors lying unused and unsaleable that would do to fix in the wall for these moor inga. The harbourmaster and engineer to meet the standing committee to discuss the matter. ACCOUNTS. A letter from the Bank of New Zealand notified that a fixed deposit of £17,600 had" matured, with £375 interest; of this he had, as instructed, placed £6475 to current account and deposited £12.000 for twelve months at 5 per cent. The secretary stated that about £3OOO would be required directly for the tug, and the next interest payment of £SOOO would have to borrowed from this fund, temporarily. Mr Morris asked with a laugh where the “ earmark ” was now. Accounts amounting to £IBB6 were passed for payment. Of this £lll9 was the deposit with interest of Messrs PallUer and J ones, and £225 for Mr Geo. Gabites’ flag staff section. The wharfage return for the fout weeks ended 24th May was £754 15s 2d, NOTICE OR MOTION. Mr Ross gave notice to move at next meeting : “ That in view of the increased shipping at our port the board at next mooting take into consideration the propriety of increasing the wharf accomodation by extension at the North Mole or otherwise. “ That simultaneously with such a provision facilities be provided for cartage of cargo direct, without the intervention of the railway department as at present great inconvenience, delay, and expense are caused to traders generally.” The board then rose.