Timaru Harbour Board.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3394, 28 January 1899, Page 4

Timaru Harbour Board.

annual report. The following report was road at the meeting of the Timaru Harbour Board yesterday, a report of which will bo found in another column: — « To the Members of the Board. « Gentlemen, —lu accordance with previous custom I have to submit to you a report of the working of the port for the past year. The annual accounts have been prepared, but are not yet audited, and on enquiry, I find that the Government inspector cannot be here before next month. In the meantime the figures given below may be taken as correct, and will give some idea of the board’s financial position. The usual shipping and dredging returns are attached hereto. “On February 22ud, 1898, Messrs Alpheus Hayes and Moss Jonas handed in their resignations of their seats on the board, the latter on account of his leaving the district, after many years'residence, and the former on account of an extended absence. The board placed on record their appreciation of the valuable services rendered by these gentlemen, by Mr Hayes as member and chairman, and by Mr Jonas as a member of many years standing. “ The board’s consulting engineer, Mr J. P. Maxwell, M.1.0.E., visited Timaru and met the board on January 28th, 1898. His report was entirely of a satisfactory character. On February 22ud Mr Maxwell applied for and was granted leave of absence to visit the Old Country, and arrangements were made with Mr Maxwell by myself, that in the event of anything uufors«en and needing immediate advice or attention occurring, Mr O. Napier Bell should be sent for, Mr Maxwell having every confidence in Mr Bell’s advice! Whilst Mr Maxwell was in England correspondence was maintained, and Mr Maxwell was kept fully informed of every development, Mr Maxwell at the same time advising the board on the course to bo pursued. Mr Maxwell has now returned from England, aud will bo present to meet the board to-day. “During the year the shingle question has advanced a further stage. Above the average number of very heavy seas have been experienced, aud as the majority of these have been from the soutn-cast they have exercised a very considerable influence on the accumulation. There have been in all—3 moderately heavy seas from the east, 5 moderately heavy seas from the north east. 1 very heavy sea from the north-east, 7 very heavy seas from the south-east, and 8 moda.aloly heavy seas fro in the south-east.

« Darin;' a heavy south-easterly sea, i lasting from the 29th to the 31st of May, over 5000 tons of shingle were thrown over tho bend or tho oreakivater (to which point the accumulation had extended) and into the harbor. This was followed by farther south-easterly seas ou tho Ist onl 3rd August, when a quantity of shingle, estimated at over 30,000 tons, was deposited inside tne harbor at the bend, and by exceptionally heavy southeast seas ou I3th and 14-th November, when shingle estimated at 00,000 tons was throw!) over. This result of the action of the sea, although foreseen by Mr Maxwell and provided for by him, caused considerable public uneasiness, and, to allay this feeling and in view of the changed condition of the beach line, it was decided to call in Mr C. Napier Bell, M.1.C.E., as previously arranged. “ Mr Bell arrived here ou tho 20th and mot tho board ou the 20th August. He reported that if tho action of tho sea in throwing the shingle over the breakwater and into tho harbor could bo made to tako place ou every occasion of rough southerly seas it would be a great benefit, as the shinglo thrown into tho harbor is easily and cheaply dredged. Ho recommended that a short wall like a groin should ho built at the outer end of the curve, square off from tho breakwater, and say 80 feet long, to bo extended if necessary, to hold the too of the drift and to help the waves to drive tho shiugle over tho wall. He reported that the question of an extension of the breakwater was in abeyance, and should remain so for the present and until the case became more urgent of the shoaling of tho entrance. But should the necessity arise for an extension of the breakwater and should the puestion be again disputed as to where the extension should start from, he attached a plan showing how an extension from the end in the same direction as tho inner line, may be made the means of greatly enlarging and improving the harbor at a moderate cost. Ho recommended that no action should be taken on his report until Mr Maxwell had been consulted about his proposals. “ At tho meeting of the board ou the 23rd September it was resolved—“ That in consequence of the favorable nature of Mr Bell’s report, the board defer consideration until Mr Maxwell’s return from England.” “ After the heavy sea ou tho 13th and 14th November it was found that some damage had been done to four monoliths at the bend, and to three or four monoliths on the outer kant, keyond the fender pile work, also that the shinglo which had advanced along the outer kant was causing a considerable erosion of both the concrete foundation blocks and the monoliths. The board resolved on the 25th November to proceed at once with tho repair of'tho damage at tho bend, tho question of the protection of the outer arm to be deferred until after Mr Maxwell’s visit. Tho repairs ordered are nearly completed, and three monoliths have been reinstated. « Tho contract for tho annual survey and soundings was let to Messrs Smith & Boys, licensed surveyors, ou 27th October, and was completed in time for the December meeting. The accumulation of shingle since the previous survey in October, 1897, ia given by them as 170,934 cubic yards. The soundings show a further shoaling in Caroline Bay, and a shoaling along the outer kant of the breakwater. The depths of water at the entrance and in the fairway are well maintained. « At Mr Bell’s suggestion some loads of bricks were dropped into the sea off the bend in 24 feet of water to test the action of the sea at this place. No definite results regarding them have yet been ascertained. “ LEGISLATION. “The board have carefully watched the course of legislation affecting their interests in both Houses of Parliament, and : the Members for tho district were approached in reference to amendments in 1 Eight Hours’ Bill and Rating on Un--1 improved Value Bill, which were before t the Lower House. Both these Bills have, however, been thrown out. “ RECLAMATION AND NEW OFFICES. “ The work of levelling the shingle accumulation begun in 1897 has been continued, and a large amount of work done. Tho north-west end of the road intended to give access to tho main wharf 1 from Heaton street has been formed for half i£s width. This road has bean named Hayes street, ia ‘.recognition of tho valuable services rendered by our late ( chairman. I « A section 180 feet by 100 feet fronting on Hayes street has been coated with clay, and a site at the south end, with a 1 frontage of 40 feet, has been leased as a site for a blacksmith’s shop at a satisfactory rental. Several other valuable , sites are now ready for immediate occupation. “ The board’s action in utilising its reclamation has been fully justified by the

great improvement in the appearance of the approach to the wharves, the safety of tha large traffic to and from the goods shed, aud the increased convenience in carrying on the board’s business. The new offices, which are very commodious, will prove ample for many years to come, and have the advantage of combining under one roof the various departments of the board’s service. “ The efforts of the board in the direction of securing a right of access to the breakwater from Strathallau street have been crowned with success, thanks principally to the good offices of the Hon. W. Hall-Jones, member for Timaru, aud the late Mayor of Timaru, Mr J. J. Graudi. The dedication in the Borough of Timaru of the chain-wide approach to the breakwater was gazetted on September Ist, 1898. “ DREDGING. “ The dredge Timaru has been kept fully occupied, aud whilst engaged in removing the shiuglo thrown into tho harbor at tha bend worked double shifts for about five weeks. She has beeu engaged, actual dredging time, exclusive of time occupied in mooring, unmooring, discharging, aud repairs:— Hra. Min. Tns.Lifted Outside entrance... 385 25 27,030 Inside harbor ... 1284 35 154,120 Total 1670 0 181,750 “Of the‘154,120 tons dredged from inside the harbour, 92,980 tons of shiuglo have beeu lifted from the bend iu hours actual dredging time at a cost of a fraction under 2d per ton. There have been the usual stoppages for repairs, overhauling and cleaning, but no serious breakdowns, and tho cost of repairs has not been excessive. Whilst engaged iu removing tho shingle the best work done was seven loads, averaging over 500 tons each in 10 working hours. Considerable difficulty was experienced in keeping the pipe mouth close to the shingle without burying it aud so cutting off the supply of water, the pipe mouth being also liable to bo covered by tho shingle continually slipping down the 30 foot face at which the dredge was working. Delay was also caused at times by tho grating at the pipe mouth being blocked continually with kelp and large stones. “An offer was received from the builders of tho Timaru to supply a Weiman pump, and the matter has beeu before the board at several meetings. The advantages claimed for the Welman pump are specially that the wear would bo leas, and consequently delays and cost of repair would be lessened, and that as auy atone which can pass through the pipe can also pass through tho pump without damage, there would not be the continual loss of time in clearing tho grating at the

mouth of the pipe. The board decided to delay ordering the Welman pump until they were able to confer with their Consulting Engineer, aud wore influenced in coming to this decision by the fact that they had in stock wearable parts of the present pump sufficient to last for more ( than twelve mouths. “The Taniwha was placed in commission in July last at the request of the harbour-master, in order that tho corner of the Main Wharf near tho T jetty, which could not bo conveniently reached by the larger dredge, might be deepened, and also to deepen end widen tho berth for wool ships ou tho south side of the Moody Wharf. Tho dredging at tho Main Wharf was completed, aud a depth of water at low tide of 20 feet attained. The work at the Moody Wharf proved to be verp tedious and costly, as tho bottom consists of compacted boulders and clay. The services of tho Taniwha wore made uso of to overhaul the harbour moorings aud to assist the Timaru in removing the shingle deposit at the bend, at which she did very good work, averaging 7 loads of 85 tons each in about 10 working hours. “ The Taniwha was again laid up in December. Her returns show for about four months work ;—Lifted at Moody Wharf 1,960 tons of silt, stones, aud clay; lifted at Main Wharf, 2,500 tons of silt, sand, and stones; lifted from inside bend. 12,750 tons of shingle, 400 tons of silt; total, 17,670 tons. “ It was found necessary to tow the Taniwha to dock at Port Chalmers with the Timaru, au attempt to raise her ou the slip having proved a failure through damage to the ways by tho marine worm. An examination of the ways showed extensive injury, and the questiou of repairing the ways at a small cost, or constructing a gridiron, has been left over for the advice of the Consulting Engineer. “ Much work still remains to be done to secure the depths of water all over the harbor, which it is the object of the board to attain. The increasing size of the steamers visiting tho port requiring a minimum depth of at least 23 feat at low water spring tides. “ Tho silting over tho harbor bottom still goes ou, aud au examination uuder the wharves showed au accumulation of five feet. “On 22nd February, Cnptaiu James Tait, who had previously been appointed assistant pilot, was placed in charge of tho Timaru as dredge-master and tug-mastor, “ TBAUE. “The return of imports and exports giving ou page 15 shows to what extent the trade of the port during tho past year has suffered through the unprecedented failure of the harvest. The following figures are taken from the return :

“ The total tonnage of cargo handled during 1898 was 78,518 tons, as against 83,875 tons in 1897, and 89,862 tons in 1896. “ The direction which the export trade has taken during 1898 is shown by the following table :—To the United Kingdom 28,799 bales of wool and skins, 996 tons of ’ tallow, 302,800 carcases of frozen mutton ; to intercolonial ports 6 tons of tallow, 157 sacks of grain, 2097 sacks flour, bran, sharps, and oatmeal, 13,127 sacks potatoes; coastwise, 2526 bales of wool and skins, 214 tons tallow, 74,325 sacks of grain, 153,665 sacks of flour, bran, sharps, and oatmeal, 302 tons of hay, straw and chaff, 13,604 sacks potatoes. “ The increase in the export of frozen meat has been of considerable assistance to the board’s revouue during 1898, and I have every reason to believe that to the efforts of the directors of the Christchurch Meat Company wo owe the fact that so largo a proportion of the output of the works has been shipped locally. The following are the figures for the last three years ;—1896 shipped at Timaru, 122,283 carcases, railed to Lyttelton, 122,847 carcases ; 1897, shipped at Timaru, 209,678 carcases, railed to Lyttelton, 30,078 carcases ; 1898, shipped at Timaru, 302,800, railed to Lyttelton, 48,273 carcases, The attached Customs’ shipping returns show that 254 vessels of 194,362 tons register entered inwards at the port of Timaru during 1898. The corresponding figures for 1897 were 269 vessels of 188,200 tons register. The work of the port has been carried ou without any mishap to the shipping. “ la case of emergency, and with a view to the better security of the heavier class of shipping, the board have, ou the recommendation of the harbour-master, decided to lay down a further set of extra heavy moorings. The necessary chains have been ordered from Home. “ For tho convenience of steamers working at night, and for the greater safety of tho traffic, four new lamp-posts fitted with Welsback mantles, have been erected along the south side of tho breakwater. “ .FINANCE. “ The revenue for 1898 in sympathy with the deficient harvest shews a cousiderablo falling off. The receipts from dues on general merchandise, timber, coal, woo), and frozen mutton- have, ou the whole, shown a gradual and steady increase from year to year; the variable ijuantity is, and has always been, found in the export of grain and flour. “ The year has closed with a balance to debit of the general account of £728 17a 8d partly accounted for by the revenue failing to reach the estimate formed by my predecessor, and partly by the necessity which arose to place the dredge Taniwha in commission, by which an unprovided for expenditure of £499 12a 7d was incurred. “Tho total receipts for 1898 were £18,569 Ss Bd, including the s'irn of £6OOO 2s lid, being amount of levy ou the harbor district. The total expenditure, including the sum of £IO,OOO remitted to London to meet the annual interest payments, lias been £19,263 2s 6d made up as follows; £ e. d. Dredging by Timaru arid Taniwha ... ... 4,682 18 8 Harbor Department ... 1,989 4 0 Repairs to Wharf and Breakwater ... ... ... G 22 0 6 Plant and Permanent Improvements ... ... 613 3 0 Other Payments ... ... 1,355 16 4 Interest ou Loans... ... 10,000 0 0

Total 19,263 2 6 “ Of the above sura of £10,863 2s Cd, £520 has been placed to the credit of special funds, namely, £2OO to Wharf Renewal Fund, and £320 to the Dredge Timaru insurance and Renewal Fund. The amount to the credit of the special funds is as under : £ s. d. Wharf Renewal Fund ... 2,324 7 5 Dredge Tirnaru Insurance and Renewal Fund ... 990 14 7 Breakwater Extension Fund 11,564 10 0 Total 14,879 12 0 “ Of this amount the sura of £14,132 6s is on fixed deposit with the Bank of New Zealand, and the balance, £747 6s has been temporarily applied to place the general account in credit. “ Beyond the sum for which the board are their own insurers, the dredge ‘Timaru’ is insued for £BOOO in Loudon offices. “ The harvest prospects warrant ma in anticipating a very large increase in the board’s revenue for the current year, an increase which 1 think I am safe in estimating at close on £2OOO. Against this wo have to set —Overdraft on general account, £728 17s 8d ; provision for breakwater repairs, say, £SOO ; Welmau pump, £1400; contingency for extra dredging, say, £SOO ; contingency for repairs to slip, “ In conclusion I wish to express my high aypreciation of the efficient services rendered by the staff during my term of office. “ John Fkasbr, “ Chairman. “ Timaru, January 20th, 1899.” The report being in print it was taken as read, and adopted on the motion of the chairman and Mr Sullivan.

1898 1896 1893 Wheat 62,490 102,132 256,214 Oats ... 10,730 73,609 48,809 Barley 1,231 3,041 1,243 Malt 25 143 27 Flour... 108,570 161,757 110,135 (Bran & Sharps 43,069 67,501 39,124 Oatmeal 3,523 2,788 3,256 Total 230,244 410,971 458,868