TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1765, 19 July 1888, Page 2

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Timaru Harbor Board was held yesterday. Present—Messrs E. Acton (Chairman), J. Wilson, T. Teschemaker, F, R. Flatman, Morris, K. F. Gray, and Manchester. Mr Gray apologised for the absence of Mr Talbot. The agent for the s.s. Wakatipu wrote that the vessel had to be unloaded by means of surf-boats, and the men had charged Is per hour instead of, as formerly, 9d.—Replying to Mr Teschemaker as to whether the charge was a fair one, the Secretary said the men had given no previous notice of their intention to increase the charge, but had stuck the steamer up at the last moment. Mr R. Turnbull, M.H.R., wrote in reference to the Bill before the House to assimilate harbor rating throughout the district. The Engineer said he bad notified the contractors for the North mole that lights must be kept burning on the mole during the construction, in accordance with instructions received from the Marine Department.— A pproved. The Secretary intimated that, at the request of Mr A, E. G. Rhodes, M.H.R, ho had supplied that gentleman with the Board’s reports and balance-sheets for the past two years. —Approved. The Railway wharfage returns for four weeks amounted to £3o7i The Chairman said the Secretary found it impossible to make his accounts for wharfage receipts and those of the Railway Department agree, owing to the Department making up their accounts for four-weekly periods, while the Board’s accounts were made up for monthly periods,— After the Secretary had explained, and several members had spoken on the subject, it was proposed by Mr Gray, seconded by Mr Flatman, and carried —“ That the General Manager of Railways be written to. asking for authority to allow the Board’s Secretary to at any time examine the Department’s books, to enable him to check the four-weekly return; also that the Department be asked to supply a statement of goods admitted free.” The Harbor Master reported the arrival of 23 steamers and 6 sailing of an aggregate registered tonnage of 10,71 G tons ; and the departure of 24 steamers and 4 sailing vessels, of a total tonnage .of 10,922 during the month ended 30th June. The s.s. Fifeshire arrived on June

26tb, and sailed on the 28th for London via Port Chalmers. During the month heavy seas had been ex perienced. He also applied for a supply of cables, etc. —In connection with the above, it was pointed out that an income of £614 had been obtained for the use of ropes. The Engineer reported that continuous heavy seas had almost entirely prevented any work being done at random block-lifting. They had also prevented him from making a proper survey of the beach. The shingle beside the breakwater had receded 40ft in the lost six months, and now stood at exactly the same position as it did in October, 1887. Only seven days’ dredging had been done since last meeting, rough weather and the crew’s other duti.es having prevented it. The work at the north mole was proceedr ing satisfactorily. j Replying to enquiries, the Engineer said there was an enormous change taking place on the shingle beach; the shingle was being ground down to sand. With regard to the shingle that had found its way through the breakwater, the quantity was so small as to be scarcely worth speaking about, and the clearances would be effected this week. —Mr Gray said that the statement of the Engineer showed what the accumulation would .be if the dredge were not kept going,, and the Chairman expressed the opinion that if the dredge was not constantly lifting rubble and shingle it was lifting it in the form of sand. The Chairman said the heavy seas of Tuesday week extinguished the lights at the end of the breakwater, and it was impossible to relight them for a time. 1

Accounts amounting to £743 5s 3d were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned.