THAMES HARBOUR BOARD.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XIII, Issue 3529, 4 February 1880, Page 3

THAMES HARBOUR BOARD.

A meeting of this body was held yestovday afternoon at the offices, Albertstreet. Mr Brown occupied the chair. There were also present—Messrs Grahma, Head, Loydon, Wilson, Osborne, and McGowaa. Tho minutes having been read and confirmed, an application of Mr Charles Tongo for a small piece of the foreshore at the back of be Toll and Custom-houses, to collect and fcako away tailings therefrom, at a rental of £5 per annum, was received and accepted.

llemotal op Sand.— The Harbourmaster reported that a carter named Mr Bicketts hod removed a load of sand without license from Tararu, —On the motion of „Mr Icydon letter was received and noiice ordered to bo sent of demand for license fee of Is to Mr liickett; and further, that in another case of unlicensed removal a prosecution be authorised.

A letter from Mr Brassey announced recovery of £60 17s 41, and requested execution by Board leases prepared by him.

The Shobtland Channel.—Tho Secbetarv read tho opinions of experts obtained as to clearing or altering the abovo okanncl, and making it navigable. Cap. tain Miller stated that 'if channel marked A on plan was deepened and the snag at its ontrauco extricated, it would be much preferable to the one now used. Tho cut suggested by Sir J. Ooode is no doubt the best, but he feared the cost would be considerable," MrD. Tookcy' said that present channels did not differ materially from those' used 20 years ago. He thought a very good and naviga'ota river might be made and permanently kept by turning tho water now flowing through channel B into channel A. If water collected into one, there would be abundanco of flow to keep it clear. He proposed stopping up Bat its mouth, so that all tho water might be diverted into A, and this could be done at a comparatively very small outlay. He did not think the course proposed by Sir J". Coode either so good or so permanent as that he proposed.—Mr W. Souter would clear a passage fifty feet wide where obstruction exists in old channel marked B, and have the debris removed and deposited in mouth of channel marked A, thereby confining run of ebb tide to one channel, which he considered would keep itself clear with the exception of snags. Channel A running in a strait lino to deep water is in consequence of the many freshes of the B Channel well sheltered from winds blowing up the gulf, and has maintained ils position for a number of years. If Channel A were adopted it would leave its mouth more exposed to | the winds up tho gulf, and thus incur more risk of having a shallow bar across the entrance. He saw no advantage in Sir J. Coode's plan,—Mr A. Aitkin reported that Channelßwould with the smallest outlay enable vessels toleavo Shortlnad as heretofore, by removing Borne of the recently-mado shingle banks near the lamp-post, In that case he would have none of the present channels closed, but the effect of gales, &c, closely watchod. If the Bsard could incur the expenditure he would follow out Sir John Coode's plan. The late silting-up of the channel in the vicinity of tho lamp-post had been mainly caused by the natural inclination of the creek to leave channel B, and cut a new channel in tho direction of that proposed by Sir J. Coode.-Captain Davies, the harbour-master, recommended the opening out of the new channel B, as under the circumstances the best, most effectual, and cheapest.—Capt. Dalton's report has already appeared in our columns.--Mr Khrenfbied said he believed that considering the financial affairs of the Board we should be satisfied by removing obstructions, which could be done for abeufc £40 or £50. He would move that this be done at once,-Mr Bead seoonded.—Mr Leydon was of opinion that such an expenditure would not do much good. He wished the. £150 plan to be tried.—'Mr Ehbenfeied protested against any seeking for popularity by advocating what they had no funds to attempt. —Mr Leydon was confident the £150 could be got in Shortland, He moved that £150 be expended in clearing tho channellately made by nature. The money could be raised iu a short time.—Mr Eheknfeied said if Mr Leydon would guarantee that, he would second his amendment.— Mr Beown wished to know if Mr Leydon positively guaranteed raising the amount.—Mr Leydon could obtain the money if repayment was guaranteed in a reasonable time.—He would like to have twenty •four hours to consult his friends. He thought they would be satisfied with bank interest —Mr Gbaham thought they might be satisfied if they obtained as good a channel by a little clearing as thoy had hitherto used.—Mr Bbown said that at different times Mr Leydon had endeavoured to make it appear that the Board were acting in antagonism to Shortland, He had been one of the party to view the channel and its obstructions; but, before going, he interviewed their banker, and put it to him, "What would he advance if it became necessary to do the work ?" and the reply was, "Not one penny,"—Mr McGowan doprecated the introduction by Mr Leydon of any party feeling, or the pitting Shortland against Grahamstown. He should certainly support the original resolution,—After some further discussion, the original motion was carried.

Missing Bye • Laws.—Mr Leydou moved " That Mr Bagnall bo written to to send back the copy of the Bye-laws in his possession."~Mr Read seconded, and the motion was carried.

The WHAEYES.-The following report was presented:-'"The Committee have to report having visited both wharves, and recommend that inch timber to the vnluo of £5 bo procured and used to sheath over the rotten or partially rotten planks of Curtis' wharf. This would render this wharf perfectly safe for some time. They also recommend that notice be given to Mr (Jurtis to remove the remaining portion of the baths before any accident is occasioned by their subsidauce. The Committee consider that it will be absolutely necessary to'lay down at least £20 worth of new planking on the Goods Wharf to maintain'same in order for the traffic now passing, ovor it, and recommend, this expenditure be authorised. The Committee find that the silt flows over the north east corner of the silt retaining works, and is forming a bank on the outside very detrimental to tho liarboar, and recommend that 100 feet of planking be erected, so as to raise tho silt retaining works ono foot higher at the corner referred to.-Thames, 3rd Feb., 1880, (Sinco the preparation of this report, the Committoe learn that sorao stringers are required for Curtis' Wharf, and that Mr Curtis will give £5, provided the Board will expend £10 instead of £5 on this wharf, The Committee recommend that thig arrangement be carried out),"—Mr McGowan moved and Mr Ehbenfbied seconded, that tho report

be received.—Mr Bead moved its nuop-lion-Mr libydon moved that it be dolnycd till the Board was in funds.—On tho motion of Cr McGowan tho report wai adopted bs far an it related to tho Goods Wharf, and the consideration of Albert-streot Wharf was deferred.-* Carried.

The Gridiron and Crane Committee asked for extension of time.—Grantod.

The Auditor."»TJio feo of six guineas for services of auditor wns passed.

THE DEBENTURES.—Mr GRAHAM WB3 authorised to, take such steps «s might seom desirable to him to float tho authorised loan.

Capt. Souter's Lease, expiring on the 15th March next, the question of renewal cropped nn, Mr Bead suggesting that tenders be culled for all the wharves.

The proceedings concluded by a vote of thanks to the Chairman.