Bluff Harbour Board

Southland Times, Issue 15057, 28 September 1901, Page 4

Bluff Harbour Board

Friday, 27th September. I The monthly meeting, held at Bluff", l was attended by Messrs I. W Ray- ] mond (chairman), A. Bain, J. E. Wataon, R. Dunlop, J. P. Roberts, T. Gilroy, and A. Carmichael. Leave of absence was giren to Mr R. A. Anderson on account of illhealth, and also to Mr J. W. Mitchell. The chairman reported re the attempt to tow off the ketch Clyde that he bad informed the harbourmaster that he considered the charge was inadequate to the services rendered and the risk to the Board's plant engaged, and requested him, when time allows, to communicate with the chairman before making any arrangement of the kind in future ; that Captain Lovett having requested leave of absence for a fortnight be bad granted his request ; that a new telescope has been ordered for the signal station to cost £8, and that Captain Chatfield had kindly selected a suitable one. — The action approved. With regard to the attempt to tow off the ketch Clyde Mr Bain said there were all sorts of rumours about tow ropes breaking, etc., and on his motion Iho chairman was authorised to obtain particulars of the cost of the service. A chart of the harbour was forwarded from the Admiralty. — The Chairman said they had no idea when the gentlemon who prepared the chart came here, and they could not know whether it was correct or not. Perhaps it was reliable ; if 60, it would greatly damage the standing of the harbour. In fnture when these visits were made the Board should be informed and they would place the tug and every convenience at their disposal. — Mr Watson said it had probably been prepared in pre-historic ages, and the Admiralty, thinking the conditions remained unchanged, simply reissued it. — Referred to the harbourmaster for examination and report. Urwin and Roderique applied for permission to put a small oil engine on the western end of the wharf for the purpose of lifting oysters from the bed. They would see that it did not interfere with the traffic on the bridge. — Referred to the Harbour and Works Committee. The Premier replying to the Board's resolution suggesting that a bill be introduced with the object of making uniform the constitution of the various harbour boards, stated that the matter had been referred to the Minister for Marine and would in due course receive the careful consideration of the Government. — Received. The Secretary for the Marine Department telegraphed that it was proposed to submit plan of new railway approach to the wharf to theGovernor-in-Council for approval, subject to the solid approach being kept back abont midway between high and law water mark. He asked if the Board agreed to this. — Mr Wataon said that if they ob jected to this it might hamper their movements in getting on with the work. — Mr Dunlop said this did not bind them down to any reclamation scheme. — Mr Bain said they had no idea of what it would cost. They should ask for plaoa and estimate. — lhe Chairman agreed with Mr Bain and said the Marine Department had treated them very shabbily in this matter. — Mr Carmichael also thought the department should give their reasons why this was wanted. — Mr Gilroy said the reason was clear and was simply to give the tide a clear flow. — Mr Watson thought the cost would be less. The Government simply wanted them to make half of it solid instead of carrying the solid work further out. They should not have any more dehy. The Government were always slow, always obstructive and sometimes stupid. — It was finally agreed to fall in with the Department's suggestion. G. W. Rose, chief officer of the s.s. Burrumbeet, asked to be examined for a pilotage exemption certificate. — F. Hardy, chief officer of the s.s. Hinemoa, made a similar application. — The harbourmaster reported on the latter aj/plication that Mr Haray had undergone the examination and was competent to navigate the harbour. — Certificates to be issued, subject to the usual conditions. W. S. Mitchell, hearing that the Board wished to purchase a residence close to the shipping for the harbourmaster, offered his house and section 16, block 2, for £600.— House not suitable. The agent of the Public Trustee said he was advised, in regard to the Board's request to the Public Trustee to purchase £4700 of North Invercargill Corporation's debentures as investment on account of the Board's sinking fund, that a direction under seal from the Board was required. — Necessary steps to be taken. John fy. Balsillee, master of dredge No. 222, asked the Board to gi ye him a letter Stating how he had carried out his duties. — Left in the chairman's hands. William Harming asked the Board to arrange for a berth for his ketch Anna. He was willing to pay for the service and au undisturbed berth in a convenient situation would greatly facilitate his work of carrying fish. — The harbourmaster reported that, when possible, he had always given preference to Mr Harming over other small craft to land his cargo, but he could not see his way clear to promise any person an undisturbed berth. — Request declined. The general manager of the N.Z. Accident Insurance Co. replied through the local agent, that the Board, if they rightly understood the position, would scarcely make a request for reduction in the rate they were at present paying. In December last the Board obtained quotations for covering their risks, 'it being a condiiion _^that whichever office obtained the business had to undertake to keep the Board covered for a year under the Workers Compensation Act without extra charge. They obtained the business, their rate being the lowest. When the Act came into force the rate fixed for harbour boards was 45a, but recognising that they were bound by the terms of their contract, they did not raise the point and undertook to cover their risks at 40s per cent. Although no allowance could be rightly claimed, the suggestion of such being made would be favourably considered when the adjustment of premiums fell due at next renewal. Mr Dunlop said he regretted that Mr Mitchell was not present, but it could not be said that he had refrained from expressing his opinion in this matter. SThe com' pan v had, he thought, taken advantage of the "Board. He moved that the letter be referred to the Finance Committee, with directions to take the opinion of the solicitor (1) as to the legality of the Board having made a contract with the N.Z. Accident Insurance Co. involving an expenditure of £94 16s without public tender, as required by clauses 66 and 67 of the Harbours Act, 1878 and, (2) if such contract is legal, as to whether the seat on the Board, held by Mr J. W.Mitchell has become vacant throughhis having voted in favour of it while he was interested as agent in Southland for such company. Mr Dunlop regretted to have to move this motion, but he felt it his duty. He had opposed this insurance question at least half a dozen times. A year ago when he was at Lyttelton he found that the Harbour Board there were insured from the risk of their dredge staff — more risky than this Board's — at 11/3 per cent., while they were paying at 63/4 per cent. When the report regarding insurance came up in committee Mr Mitchell attempted to have the insurance renewed on previous terms, but a sub-committee was set up, and they reported having effected a saving of £28 on the year's insurance, and this was with the N.& A. I. Company. The company issued an interim receipt in December last, in which they undertook to cover the Board under the Workers Compensation Act, 1900, and to issue a policy when the Act was gazetted to come into force. When the Act was gazetted in June th<! secretary applied for the policy. Mr Mitchell asked him to fill in a proposal, giving the amount of wages of the wharf contractors. This was filled in, and somehow advantage was taken of it to treat it as a proposal for a whole year from that date, whereas they were already covered up to December for their own staff. The Board made no attempt to get quotations from other companies, and even the company's prices for hands repairing wharves was 258 per cent., yet this Board was charged 40s per cent, on the whole, including wharf labour. Another reason why he objected was that the Board had no risk in the case of the contractors, who had insured their own risk in Mr Mitchell's office. I hey would thus be paid twice for the same risk, if Mr Mitchell's company held them, to pay the full premium as stated. Mr Bain seconder] the motion and said he agreed with what Mr Dunlop had said. He was also very sorry that Mr Mitchell was not present. He had objected before to the duplication of the insurances, and also to the wayin which it was done. Mr Watson said he would move as an amendment that the letter be referred to the Finance Committee. A good deal of fresh light had been let into this insurance question. With regard to the question of legality on the part of the Board, he did not place much stress upon that as he did not think that the clause of the Act was intended to relate to insurance. He certainly thought it was extraordinary that the company had twice insured the same risk. It would have been a fair thing for them to

nave told the Board that the contractors had insured their own riak. He thought Lhe company was pursuing a very suicidal policy in endeavouring to make the Board pay higher rates than were asked by ther offices. He thought it would be better, however, to send it to tlm committee. Mr Gilroy seconded the amendment, fchinking that the other side should also be heard. Mr Roberts supported the amendment, saying that they had a lot of hearsay and ought to give Mr Mitchell an opportunity of saying whether it was right or wrong. The Chairman said he would support the amendment. He did not agree with the motion so far as the question of legality was concerned, but he thought there was no harm in having a full investigation. Ho was astonished that Mr Mitchell had accepted a risk from the contractors and also one from the Board, and in his dual position as representative of the Board and agent for the company, he acted contrary to what he should have done. If it was true that such was the case, then they were entitled to a refund. Mr Carmichael said they had all the evidence before them and there was no use in < delay. He supported the motion. There was also the question as to whether it was legal for the company to accept a second insurance on the same risk. It was suggested that the words " with power to take legal advice " be added to the amendment, and this being done, Mr Dunlop, saying that the Board's interests and | his wishes would be served by this course, withdrew his motion and the amendment was •carried. In response to a communication from the Health Department and a recommendation from the harbourmaster, a committee, consisting of the chairman and the Bluff members, was set up to define a fixed position for vessels to occupy whilo being examined by the "health officer. Ross and Sons, photographers, forwarded a view of the harbour, and also referred to the value of having photographs taken of Stewart Island and exhibited, as they did with other scenery. —Photograph to be purchased and the other matter left in the hands of the chairman. The agent of the North Queensland Insurance Co asked for a share of the Board's insurance regarding Muntz metal. —Left in the chairman 8 hands. A. Me. Hamilton informed the Board that he would not be responsible for water rates on his property in Gore street, occupied by Mr Andersen.— Referred to the Finance Committee. H. G. Nevill offered a house for the harbourmaster's use, at £650. — Not suitable. The town clerk, Campbelltown, stated that the Government had granted £1000 towards the construction of a piece of road between Bluff and Ocean Beach, and the proposed route was on lands over which the Board had jurisdiction. The Council asked the Board for the necessary permission and to obtain rock from the foreshore. — Referred to the Harbour and Works Committee. The pilotage for August amounted to £477 Is lid, and the port charges to £171 18s Bd. The wharfage collected for the four weeks ending 17th August amounted to £785 17s lid. The revenue for August was £1901 16s 7d, an increase of £574 0s lld over the same month of laßt year. The shipping for August was — Inward : 23 vessels, 32,864 tons ; outward : 24 vessels, 35,972 tone, an increase over the corresponding month of last year of 7920 and 11,243 tons respectively. The harbourmaster reported that a revised edition of the International Code of Signals came into general use on Ist January, 1902, and that, immediately after, the present one would be abolished, so that it would be advisable to order the required number as early as possible.— Left in trie hands ot the chairman. Th« harbourmaster reported that there were several matters in connection with the working of the port which required early attention and suggested that a competent man be employed for a few days. — Left in the hands of the chairman. Reporting on a letter from R. F. Bickerton, Cfcristchurch, quoting prices for fireworks, the harbourmaster said he was unable to express auy opinion as he had never used any rockets or blue lights manufactured in the colony. They had the necessary number on board the tug. — Board have an adequate supply. In replying to the Board's expression of opinion that it was imperative that he should live in the township, the harbourmaster said he had beon on the lookout for a considerable time but saw no prospects of getting a suitable house in the town. .Should the Board feel disposed to build or purchase a suitable residence he would be happy to pay a reasonable interest upon the outlay.— Referred, to the Harbour and Works Committee. The Chairman gave notice to move at the next meeting :— " That the Board, while not adopting Mr Napier Bell's scheme, consider it imperative to decide upon and adopt without delay, a comprehensive scheme of harbour improvement, and that the scheme, as per plan herewith, be adopted, which provides for (1) the construction of a training wall ; (2) the extension eastward of the wharf by 500 feet ; (3) the construction of an approach with a drawbridge ; (4) the vigorous piosecution of dredging at berths 3, 4, 5 and 6, so as to render the first two available for the largest class of vessels, and the other two berths for intercolonial traders, and that banks 1 and 2 be removed so as to facilitate slewing j (5) that all spoil recovered by dredging be deposited in the area to be reclaimed ; (6) that, if practicable, blasting operations be carried out with the object of removing any rocks adjacent to or in the waterway that may be considered a menace to the safe navigation of the port ; that a proper Bystem of harbour lighting be introduced, so as to render the wharf approachable at all times ; (8) that should additional wharf aecommoi dation be required in the future a wharf be extended from the knuckle marked H towards J, with a drawbridge at X ; (9) th at provision be made in the plan for a suitable slipway ; (10) that as works 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9 are urgent, the usual steps be taken to borrow sufficient money to carry out the same." The Chairman also gave notice to move, "That as the Campbell town Borough Coun--1 cil has not replied to the Board's letter of sth September, the motion of agreeing to assist the Borough Council be rescinded, and the chairman be instructed to consult the Board's solicitor with the object of tak- j ing steps to compel the Council to provide | an outfall drain to Palmer street." The Harbour and Works Committee, with reference to the Wellington Harbour Board's letter re painters' dispute, recommended the Board to thank the Wellington Harbour Board for their efforts in watching the interests of harbour boards generally, and ] inform them that the Board quite endorses the views expressed in the circular, and will support the Wellington Harbour Board in any effort to eliminate harbour boards from the operation of industrial awards ; re widening main western wharf, recommended the Board to hold over advertisement for a month. — Adopted. Accounts and salaries amounting to £2788 j 8s 3d were passed for payment. | The Board then adjourned. J