TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1442, 17 December 1885, Page 3

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Board was held on Tuesday. Present—Meiers Sutter Kelland, Hayes, Talbot, Acton, Elworthy, Wilson and Jonas. —In the absence of Mr Moody, Mr Elworthy was voted to the chair.—Mr Holland apologised on behalf of Mr Gray for his non-attendanoe. The minntea of the previous ordinary and special meetings were read and confirmed. The Ohairman wrote stating he was unable to be present, but that he had the same view on engineering the works now as he had when tbe ; first discussion took place, viz., local supervision by competent engineering skill, and retention of Mr Good all as consult* ing engineer. The receipts for the month were stated to have been £548 12s 7d. Among the correspondence read, were letters From the Premier, Wellington, stating the Government could not see their way to giving an endowment for the Timaru harbor works.—Mr Jonas thought that if they could not do this they should pay for the lard they had taken from the Board. From the Secretary to the Canterbury Underwriters' Association, advising that the Chairman of the New Zealand Underwriters’ Association had informed him that, after special reports by practical and experienced men, he could not recommend any reduction in insurance rates at Timaru, but he would be glad to be notified in the future of any improvement in the port. The Board’s requests would at all times have his most careful consideration. From the Oamam Harbor Board in reference to the loan of their dredge.—Proposed by Mr Talbot, seconded by Mr Hayes, and carried: " That the Secretary write to the Oamaru Harbor Board, and ask for the draft lease re dredge, stated to be in course of preparation by them in their letter of November 24thj also to esk the earliest time when the dredge will be available for this Board.”

From Mr Hargreaves protesting against 10 many of hi* piles being condemned. — After hearing the statement of the Clerk of the Works, who said that some of the piles were too small, some crooked, and others plugged,” the Board decided that Mr Hargreaves should be informed that they could not accept piles which were not of the quality specified in the contract. From the Manager of the National Mortgage and Agency Company, stating he oould not reoognite any claim for services re the Hudson if full particulars were not supplied. The Clerk of the Works reported that Breakwater Contract No, 5 was now nearly finished—one more monolith would complete it. Pile driving at the Moody Wharf, contract No. 8, bad been suspended owing to want of piles, but other portions of the work were going on satisfactorily. Wharf extension, contract No. 9, had been fairly started. The balance of piles to complete the contract might be shortly expected. Tenders had been invited for 2000 tons cement, and 100 tons had been purchased from Mr O. W. Turner at last contract prices. He requested authority to order from Europe one steel roller.and and shaft, also one sroMon of steel toller path for the crane Sampson, these being the most likely to be required should an accident occur.—The nesessary authority re rollers, etc., was granted. The Harbor Master reported the arrival of 88 vessels of the aggregate registered tonnage of 6687 tons, and the departure of 26 vessels of the aggregate registered tonnage of 6051 tons during the month of November, 1885. The whole were worked at the wharf, On the 26th instant the barque Hudson stranded on the Ninety Mile Beach, on a voyage from London to Lyttelton. After lying there for 10 hours she was floated and towed to Lyttelton. During the vessel's stay on the beach the Board’s steam tug and other appliances were used for the stranded vessel’s benefit. On December 3rd the p.s. Titan went to Pn-t Chalmers for her annual cleaning and overhaul, returning on Deo. 12th; she will now receive a certificate for six months from date. Soundings have been taken during the month with result, as per book, showing no appreciable alteration in the depth of water from the previous mouth. A long report by Captain Webster on the stranding of the Hudson and the part he bad taken with the Board’s tug in getting her off was read and considered, and it was resolved —“ That the report of the Harbor Master in regard to the stranding of the Hudson, is perfectly satisfactory, and that his report be handed to the Press for publication.” With regard to the letter from the Manager of the N.U. and M.A. Company, it

was resolved—" That the Board’s claim against the barque Hudion be forwarded to the agent# of the ship in Christchurch, with a demand for payment,” The lender of 0. W. Turner, Ohriitohuroh, for 2000 ton# of cement, at £3 18# lid per ton, was accepted. Accounts amounting to £3701 IBs 2d were pasted for payment. It was resolved that the price of water to yesseli be 2# per ton. Propoied by Mr Acton, seconded by Mr Talbot, and carried—" That the Secretary be directed to take the necessary steps towards the election of a member in the place of Mr J. 8. Gibson."

The Board then adjourned for lunch. On resuming, in accordance with notice of motion, Mr Sutter moved —" That Mr Goodall be given the proper notice to terminate hie agreement with the Board. That he be offered the appointment of Consulting Engineer to the Board at £IOO a year, and if it bo necessary for him to visit Timaru at the request of the Board, he be allowed hie actual travelling expenses in addition. That; the Secretary advertise for a Resident Engineer to superintend and carry out all works in connection with the Timaru harbor, as described in the Government Gazette of 22nd February, 1883, page 252, and that a salary of £250 per annum be paid the said Engineer. That he be allowed private practice, but not to absent himself from Timaru without the sanction of the Chairman in writing, and that the agreement be subject to terminate by three months' notice on either side." Mr Jonas seconded the proposal. Mr Acton moved as an amendment, and Mr Talbot seconded—" That tenders be called from competent engineers for a submarine survey of the habor, and that Mr Goodall, the Board’s Consulting Engineer, be requested to prepare a specification defining the area and the mode of such survey.” After a rather warm debate, Mr Sutter’s motion was put and lost, the mover and Messrs Jonas, Wilson and Hayes voting for it. and Messrs Talbot, Acton, Kelland and Bln orthy against it, be latter using his casting vote.

Mr Acton’s amendment on being put was declared carried, the mover and Messrs Talbot, Kelland andElworthy (who alio gave his casting vote) supporting it, and Messrs Sutter, Wilson, Jonas, and Hayes opposing it. Moved by Mr Hayes seconded by Mr Wilson, and carried—" That the Secretary be instructed to wire to Mr Goodall and call his attention to the necessity of preparing for dredging work in the harbor at the shortest possible date, and prepare plans accordingly forthwith.” Mr Hayes gave notice to move at next meeting —" That the motion passed re engineer and survey of the harbor this day, be rescinded." The meeting then adjourned.