HARBOUR BOARD.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 8133, 17 January 1895, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Timaru Harbour Board was held yesterday. Present—Messrs D. Stuart (chairman), Pringle, Sullivan, Wilson, Talbot, Manchester, Teschemaker, Stumbles, and Hill. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report, in print, was presented and read py the chairman. The report was a longer one than usual. As a matter of interest to shipowners and bondholders residing out of the colony who might receive the report, the chairman included some particulars regarding the size and nature of the harbour works, wharfage, dredging, large vessels which have visited the port, towage power. No accident or mishap had happened during 1894. Timaru holds second place to Wellington in smallness of charges on Home-going steamers. The arrival of the tug-dredge on March 2nd was recorded, and passages quoted from Mr

Barr’s report upon her trial. The erection of the ballast wharf, the passage of the Reclamation Bill, the amendment of the Board’s rating powers, the extension of the borough boundaries to include the reclamation, and the Board’s contest at law with the Railway Commissioners, were dealt with. The two decisions of the Royal Commission, Messrs TJssher and Hay, on the proposals to extend the works from the curve were quoted, and in connection therewith it was stated that the shingle bank now intersects the breakwater at 890 feet, this showing an advance of 330 feet in four yaars. The chief items of trade were cited, the total business for 1894 being 76,110 tons, as against 88,513 tons for 1893. The question of railage charges on frozen meat, and the steps taken thereon were mentioned, and a summary of the accounts was given as follows“ This year was begun with an amount to credit of general account of £l2ll ss, and has closed with an overdraft of £2ll 17s sd. The ordinary revenue has been £11,786 18s lOd, exclusive of receipts from harbour rate; the ordinary revenue for 1893 was £13,737 15s lOd. The final payments on account of the tug-dredge Timaru have been made, viz : £894 Os 6d out of general account, and £1707 14s 9d out of loan account, being the unexpended balance of the 1886 loan. The total cost of the Timaru, including preliminary expenses and cost of fitting upon arrival has been £17,044 18s 7d. Of this amount £2733 2s 9d has been paid out of revenue. Her working expenses during the eight months that she has been in commission have been £2359 11s 7d, which includes also insurance on £BOOO, for twelve months. Based on these figures the estimate of her working expenses for the current year is £3500. The cost of the ballast wharf had been £622 19s Od, paid for out of revenue. The harbour rate necessary to meet the requirements of the current year will not be.less than one farthing in the£, or £6OOO. The levy for 1894 was £4557.” The chairman concluded with a testimony of his high appreciation in which he held the secretary, Mr Tennent, both as regards efficiency and trustworthiness. He had always given prompt and cordial assistance whenever he sought information. Mr Tesehemaker suggested that the harbourmaster, the most responsible officer, might have been included in the final commendation. The chairman thought they might leave the report as it was. He did not mention the harbourmaster because the Board having allotted the duties of the staff, he had not been brought into contact with him. In reply to Mr Tesehemaker, the chairman said the employees were insured under the Employers’ Liability Act at 5d in the £l, the Board paying one-fifth. The secretary stated that a premium of £SO was paid to the company, and £33 9s 6d had been received back. A few remarks were made about the ballast wharf, and the report was then approved and adopted. CORRESPONDENCE. Several telegrams from the Premier and the Railway Commissioners were read in reply to protests against the leasing of sites by the Railway Commissioners on the reclaimed land, to the effect that the land must be dealt with according to law, and the court had upheld the action of the Commissioners.— The replies were considered evasive. The Board did not now dispute the legal right of the Commissioners, but requested that their action be suspended until appeal had been made to Parliament. The insurers of the tug-dredge wrote re renewal of policy expiring on 2nd March next.—Renewal to be left to the new Board.

Messrs Guinness and LeCren applied for a-lease of the plot of land 250 or 300 by 40ft behind Mill’s store, which they at present held on a yearly tenancy.— The chairman said they can only lease in the manner laid down by the Act, by tender or auction. It would be necessary too, to proceed methodically and have the whole ground surveyed and properly laid out before letting any. The secretary to the Westport Harbour Board telegraphed inquiring on what terms this Board would lease the tug Mana with purchasing clause. —No offer to lease to be accepted ; the Board will only sell right out, giving terms if required. Letters were i - ead from Mr J. Darling and Messrs Lobnitz regarding the omission of perforated plates from the dredge hopper top. They had not been forgotten, but after full consideration were omitted as unsuitable and fore and aft splash plates were supplied instead. The “ receivers ” or troughs usually supplied would have choked with shingle, and the thin perforated plates, it was concluded, would not answer either. Mr J. Jackson wi*ote asking for a share of the coal supply for the dredge, on the same terms as the Westport Company, or else that his tender for the contract be opened.—lt was stated that the tender came in late, and that the coal offered was not of suitable quality, habboubmastbb’s report. The harbourmaster’s report was read. During December 19 steam and 1 sailing vessel arrived, and 19 steam and 6 sailing vessels left. The Timaru worked 44 hours with pump, result 2800 tons, and 49 hours with grabs, result 4000 tons, from 17th December to 12th January. STANDING COMMITTEE. The standing committee recommended that the offer of the Westport Coal Company for the supply of coal for a further term of twelve months be accepted. They had accepted the tender of W. H. Foden & Co. at £ls 10s for printing the annual report. It had been decided to leave the consideration of the insurance of the dredge Timaru for the new Board. The proposed new building regulations of the Timaru Borough Council had been examined and found in no way to affect the interests of this Board prejudicially. Accounts amounting to £3BO 0s 4dhad been examined by the committee. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £3BO 0s 4d wei-e passed for payment. The, solicitors’ account for the suit with the Railway Commissioners was held over till next meeting. The wharfage return for four weeks in December was £557 0s lOd. The secretary stated that the accounts were all ready, but it was very improbable that tney would be audited by the 21st, when a statutoiy meeting should be held to receive the accounts after audit. The meeting must be held, but it must also be adjourned. It was agreed that no meeting shall be held before the election, unless something important turns up to require attention, THE PARTING. After the members had risen Mr Flatman said that they ought to move a vote of thanks to the chairman for the way he had conducted the business for two years, and he would be very happy to do so. Mr Stuart said that it was quite unnecessary, but he was obliged to Mr Flatman all the same. At all events it was not necessary to record it. The meeting lasted scarcely an-hour.