MUTUEKA HARBOUR BOARD.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13774, 11 May 1915, Page 2

MUTUEKA HARBOUR BOARD.

At tho finmial niooliiif,', ol' tho Motueka Harbour Hoard, ail Uu> isioihbors wore present, as I'ollmvH:—Mcshi's T. Pattio, J. A. Guy, C. l<Yy, 11. 0. Holdaway, H. Everett, 11. P. JI udson, and A. G. Herrick. Tho secretary (Mr F. G. Morf;itt) conducted the business for tho 'election of a chairman for tho onsuing year. Mr Pattie being the only 'camlidato nominated, was declared cloctod unopposed. Members .-spoke in eulogistic terms of Mr Patties past services as Chairman. 'This is tho cigbth time in succession that Mi" Pattio has boon elected Chairman. The chairman, in returning thanks for his appointment and confidence reposed in him, stated that his duties in the past >iad not been all pleasant ones. There had been many delays in the carrying out of the new hartibur works, but, owing to the frequency of the disappointments, which seemed to bo inseparable from such works, mom hers would agree that now they seemed to expect them. The Chairman here remarked that Messrs Guy and Everett, besides himself, had been associated as members' of tho Board continuously since its inception in 1906, and prior to that time as members of the Motueka Wharf Board. The Chairman congratulated Mr Hudson on the occasion of his re-elec-tion, and Mr Heirick on his first appearance as a member, duo to tho recent election. I Messrs. Hudson and Herrick briefly responded. ■ _ I On resuming the ordinary business, accounts for £507 6s Id were passed I for payment. The wharfinger reported that the ! wharf revenue- for the past month had been £181 4s, as compared with that for the corresponding period of last- year of £176 15s Id, and that 51 vessels entered and left the port for the period. The trade for the month had been exceptionally! good, and tho amount in wharfages collected constituted a record. The wharfinger at Riwaka reported four vessels for the month. The engineer reported that, notwithstanding unavoidable delays, considerable progress had been made with dredging operations. On Good Friday a severe storm considerably disturbed' the plant. A wire rope- securing one of the punts carried away. The actual damage was small, two practically worn out pipes and part of a ball-joint being rendered useless. AltFiough the storm was exceptionally violent," other parts of the works suffered no damage, and the sea wall stood the test and remains intact : Owing to to the present exposed position of the dredge there was n certain amount of risk, but precautionary measures were being taken. Considering these present circumstances, and the plant at disposal, good progress was being made. The staff seemed satisfied with their positions, raid showed ma'kod interest in their efforts to push on with the work. Bei sides the delay caused by tho storm en Good Friday, sqino days had been occupied in effecting important, repairs to the dredge. Tho channel was , now being dredged well out to sea, but , owing- to the strong current at the eni tran :e at spring tides, it was deemed : advisable to haul the dredge back to better shelter. A fresh supply of wire rope for moorings has just been obtained, and a mooring pile driven well out to <:ea for double head-line moorings to provide against mishap.' .In the past week the cut had been extended some 115 ft., while for tho part of the current, week the progress had been 60ft. During tho present strong tides, a now runner would be put in the suction pump, tho pipe line shifted, arid moo.ings and punts placed in..position ready for work when the iidc-s take off. Afte • the next shift of pipes, when the ground to bo dredged would be shallow, the spoil would be loaded into punts and deposited at sea. In reply to a question, the engineer stated that on a previous occasion when a mooring carried away during a storm, and the dredge landed on a flat beach, the nightwatchmnn was on board, and he sounded the whisile to give an alarm for assistance, but the sound was not heard, and before the watchman could get ashore to'summon help the dredge had grounded. Rosoived, Messrs Everett and Guy, in re lathe claimed to be returned to Mr G Griffiths, that the opinion of Messrs Izard and Wesion be sought. Resolved, Messrs Guy and Everett, in "eply to Captain Robinson, that the Boai'l favours the establishment of a rifle range at the site .indicated, and has ho objection to same, but the matter "will need to be referred to the Marine Department fo/ sanction. Resolved, Messrs Guy and Holdaway, that the Motuoka Farmers' Cooperative Society be informed that the matter of their claim for loss of two case? cf kerosene will be inquired into. Resolved, Messrs Guy and Herrick, that the Chairman lie empowered to inspect the dwelling-house at tho wharf and'have any needed repairs effected. Resolved Messrs He-rrick and Guy, that iho Chairman have necessary filling done at Riwaka wharf. Resolved, Messrs Guy and Fry, that Mr Everett inquire into application of Mr L. GoodaQ for land at Riwaka. The Chairman reported with reference to the matter of the application by tlifa Nelson District Fruitgrowers, Ltd. for a .-.-Re for cool stores, etc., at ttio. new harbour. Tho sub-com-mit too appointed had now to recommend that ''".hel freehold title to the land should not be- sold and that it would bo best to put it up for sale by I lease. Therefore the sub-oommittoo had thought it advisable not to co*ni'er with the solijiiors as dirooted at the last mooting of the Board. Resolved, Messrs Guy and Everett, that the Board endorse the action of the sxib-rommittiee regarding their action in, provisionally agreeing with the fruitgrowers' representatives to dispose of' the 2 acres of land by lea.se instead of tho sale of tho freehold. Resolved, Messrs Fry and Guy, that the resolutions 'passed at the special meeting on April 6th in tho matter of the sale of vhe freehold title of. land bo rescinded.

llesolved, Messrs Everett and Guy. that the* Nelvon D'strict Kruitgrowo)* Company bo informed that thn Hoard, after further' careful .consideration, withdraws its offer of tho sale of 2 aciT-s of .freehold land Resolved, Messrs Kvorott .and I.loh'away, that the .finanr-ial committee propare and submit a report with rof<irenc-e to the oro(.4ion of yoods sheds at the new wharf.