BLUFF HARBOR BOARD.

Southland Times, Issue 3361, 29 March 1879, Page 3

BLUFF HARBOR BOARD.

A meeting of the Bluff Harbor Board was held yesterday moaning. There were present/ — Messrs Mitchell (in the chair), Nichol, Smyth, Kemp, Martin, Pratt, Brodrick, and McArdell. - Amongst the correspondence read by the Secretary was' a letter from Messrs Hen demon and Fergus, contractors for the extension of the Bluff Wharf, asking whether the Board would have any objection to Oregon pine being used for certain portions of the structure in the place of colonial timber,. -which- was difficult to obtain. It was only wanted for beams. Mr Brunton, Engineer to the Board, attached a memo, recommending that Henderson and Fergus' request be acceded to. -Mr John Blackett, C.E., however, telegraphed, in -Teply to the Chairman, that he was not in favor of Oregon pine. The- Chairman explained that Mr McKen•zie, who represented Henderson and Fergus, had asked him if he would allow the alteiation. He informed him h:s application must be made, in writing, and that he (the Chairman) would convene a meeting to consider the matter. Members would be'aware that Mr Brunton was strongly in favor of 1 the concession, stating that it was' desirable it should be made. He despatched a telegram to iMLr Blackett regarding "the matter, and 'that gentleman had replied Opposing the change.," Personally, he would support the original contract being adhered to. . Mr Pratt moved- that the request of Messrs Henderson and Fergus be not acceded to. - Mr. Craig seconded the motion. He ! thought they already had too many monu- j ments of folly in consequence of alterations having been allowed; __ I The motion was carried'. I .A letter was read from the Lyttelton** Harbor. Board re the rate charged for porterage, k The communication was referred to the Works Committee. • ; A letter from Captain Thompson relative to some alterations on the north side of the , wharf, was referred to the Engineer. A report from the Finance Committee was read and adopted. The Works Committee reported as follows : — ."Your".. Committee report 'as follows :— (1) That they have instructed the architectto invite tenders for the erection at Starling point of a two-roomed cottage for the single men on the pilot staff, and also for repairing the cottage at present in use, and for painting the senior pibt's house*. (2) With reference to the erection bf a new powder magazine, your Committee would suggest that the matter should "be left .over until they have had an. opportunity to visit the Bluff, and inspect the site recommended by theV Har-bor-Master.: ("3) That they recommend that the moorings for the lightship and the spare buoys, referred to in the HarborMaster's, memorandum of March 22, as being required, should be purchased. (4) That the three tenders tor the erection of the flagstaff at the' signal station, being all of them excessive in amount, should be rejected/and the work be done by day labour, under the supervision of the Harbor Master, and the Inspector of Works. (5) That the site belonging to . the Board, and at the corner of Esk and Deveron streets,' lnvercargill, should be fenced in all round, and on the west and south with a picket fence. - (6) That the Pilot Reserve should be fenced- in by. continuing the present fences to the water, access being given to the public by a turn stile, this work to be included in the contract for building the Pilot (man's house." The report was adopted. The Water .Supply Committee brought up the following report: — "Your Committee have to report that, after visiting the Bluff, in order to examine the more central sourcesof water supply, and, after carefully considering the correspondence between Mr "G-. "W. Nichol, the Mayor t of Campbelltown, and the solicitor, of Mr Edwin Palmer, the proprietor ,of the reservoir, which supplies the railway with water^tbey are of opinion that," 'although the Board are nowin a position to supply the shipping' with' water, independently of Mr Palmer, and", althoughT'there are three or four pther sources which might be utilised atmore or less expense, looking<.at the increasing, traffic of jthe harbor, it might be advisable, with a view to the future, to open .up, negotiations "with Mr Palmer .for the lease or sale of part of his land '.on some such terms as those suggested by Mr Nichol: -"With -regard;- therefore; to"*"tlie details*pf the (proposal for such a lease or sale, drawn up by Mr Nichol, and commentecLupon by'Mr Palmer's solicit ors, your Committee would recommend the Board to stipulate, at the qatset as follows: — 1. That th-i 5 area pf thdlandhe one block bf five "acres about 'and inclusive of the present "resei*V;Oir in such a s shape as may be required "by' the Board/ and- a . second block of five acres about half a mile higher up the stream, at the point where the water leaves the hill ; the Board to have the power to lay down pipes through Mr Palmer's land ; the term of lease, namely,"2l years, to be agreed to. 2.. That Mr Palmer. ■ be' ; informed that the Board use another supply at present, and they are, therefore," unable to answer his question .as to the ground rent, the water shoot being situated on the Board's land. 3-' That. the Board agree to this demand on; behalf of Mr Palmer. 4. That the ■ ''±3da"rd' r •' ""adhere .to the definite ' price, liig-h ' though - it be, mentioned in Mr Nichol's" letter as the suggested purchase money, "and decline to settle the question' by arbitration. 5. That the Board assent to. this ' demand made on behalf of Mr Palmer."

Mr Pratt moved 4 -the' adoption of the report, which wasseconded by Mr Kemp, and, after some .little conversation regarding its details, agreed to The Board the rose.