NELSON HARBOUR BOARD.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13837, 4 August 1915, Page 2

NELSON HARBOUR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING.-

Tho monthly meeting of the Neljon Ilarbcur Board was hold yesterday afternoon. There were present Messrs. 11. It. Duncan (chairman), A. P. Allport, H. P. Wnshbonrn, J. C. Mercer, 11. B. Jackson, G. Macmahon, I. Tunniclift'e, T. Bell, W. W. Snodgrass, and Captain Maenab. FINANCE. i Tho bank pass book showed the following balances :—Or.: General account, £1513 12s 6d; fixed deposit, £2000. Receipts: July pilotage, £491 lls lid (as against £395 7s 7d for corresponding mouth last year); si netApril 'Ist, £1559 0s lOd, aw against £1303 10s 4d; monthly average, £389 15s 2d, as against £325 17s 7d; other receipts totalled £182 17s Gd. CORIIESJ 'ONDENCE. The Hon. James Allen (for thoTPrimo" Minister) wrote that it wa« not the intention of the Government tc introduce an amendment of the Loans to Local Bodies Act this session, but the Board's representation would be noted: The Railway Department, in reply to the Beard's * representations, granted an extension of "the Board's option to purchase the wharves until the end of next session. The secretary of the New Zealand Harbour Board's Conference wrote inquiring the Board's opinion as to the desirability of holding the annual conference this year. It was resolved to reply that the Board did not think it necessary to hold the conference this year unless there was urgent business to transact. Mr. T. Brown, manager of the Anchor Foundry, reported that the Board's dredge at Motueka was ,in good order, fair wear and tear excepted. THE CHAIRMAN'S REPORT. Tho chairman said there was :.o chance of going on with the purchase of the wharves this year, as tho Government did not intend to introduce legislation either in regard to the Leans to Local Bodies Act of for th* urn-chase of wharves. As to the loat for harbour improvements, the Board would have to discuss this matter, as it was a matter of urgency and importance to the district. He recognised that the time wms not altogether propitious to ask the people to vote for a loan, but he pointed out that money was cheaper now than it would be at the end of the war. If the loan was carried and the harbour improved the people would be better able to pay the rates than if the harbour was allowed to remain as it is. The manager of tho National Bank had offered to advance the money at 5k per cent, pending tho flotation of debentures for the amount of the loan. Mr. Macmahon syoko of the growing output of stock from the Murchison district, and KuggOsStod that another effoi't should ly» made to include Mur'•liison -county in tho Nelson hfirbom district. Mr. Tunnicliffe said that in some places when harbour improvements wore mentioned, people considered that these wore unnecessary .so long as ten thousand ton vessels could work the Tho fhninnan replied that the matter was .intended with a certain amount of risk, but so far they hnd been fortunate with the woather when these vcnsok visited the port. Hf» also point-Pel out thr:.t tlioy also worked tho port whr-:i ihov \v"'-n V\-?ht. It wns resolved to postpcu" consideration of the loan proposals for one montli. HA RBOI TRY .\ STER'S REPORT. Ta» harbourmaster (Ca'ptnin Collins) reported that t.lic- trade cf the port for the month had been well maintained, and two ocean-going steamers had visited tho port. During the month 22 Union Company steamer)-;, 9-i ■ small steamers, 18 sailing vessels, and the B,s. Waiwera and s.s. Somerset entered and left the port, the total tonnov;^ ''/ing 33,0'J6, ai: incroase of 4062 ove« July, 1014. Tho authorised quantity of stone, 502 tons, had been placed on the ! mole betw"!».i ilio gauge beacon and wharf; 200 lor.s are still required^ to make tho mole up to . ite original '■ height, or live feet above water lev^' at high w.'.'.tcr spring tide. A careful examination of tho mole from the gauge beacon, towards the outer end showed thero are several places where stone is urgwitlv required, and that at least From 700' to 1000 tons of ston-b will be neo-ded to fill up the breaches made in the mole. He recommended that from MOO to 2000 tons more .stone be obtained, about 1200 t-ns to 1-n j us^d in strengthening the mole at weak points, :.:.nd ?00 tor?!; to be a reserve (■■took and juv.il' i-i V>rmd for futur-" \\<o. The harhoi'vinster was authorised to confirm :i "rrciiT'inp: stone for the nin]o f/jv ,nnether month. The 'Yirurmnn so.id that the harbourmaster was doing good work. Tho ropovt was then adopted. GENERAL. A sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. Duncan, Jackson and Mercer, wan set up to negotiate for the sale of the dredge to the Wairoa Harbour Board. Tt- was resolved that members cf the Board inspect the mole on the morning of tb.p. ?ic>xt monthly meeting. On Mr. Mficm.ihou'.s motion it was resolved that a deputation of the Board, rwnsistiug of the chairman, Messrs Macmahon; Bell and Snodgrass, visit Murchison in connection with the rr-ovemmit to include Murchison county in tho Nelson harbour district.