TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 1479, 18 June 1879, Page 5

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

The u»ual monthly meeting of the Timaru Harbor Board wa-> held on June 5. MEMBKRS PEESENT. Messrs Archer (Chairman), Beswick, Hall, Gray, Elworthy, Turnbull, Cliff, Acton, and Evans. MINfTFB. After the minuti-s had been read, Mr Hall objected to their confirmation, on the ground that m them no mention was mode of the fact that, after the motion affirming the desirability of obtaining a stea n tug for the port of Timaru had been passed, he and Mr Beswick had protested against it. After some discussion, tbe Chairman ruled that the protest referred to ould not be mentioned m the minutes, as it bad not been handed m m writing. The minutes were then confirmed. TDB LATB MB *W. K. MCDONALD. Tbe Chairman sn'd that the minutes just read did not mention the loss sustained by the Board through the death of one of the members — Mr W. K. McDonald — who had ably filled bis position on the Board ever since ita formation. By the death of his friend, Mr W. K. McDonald, he felt that the Board had sustained a losb which wou d tike them a long while to make goad. He was sure the members of the Board would bear bim out when he said thnt the late Mr McDonald was a man on whom they could always rely, and when any matter requiring nicety of judgment came before the meetings, they felt tbat they could look to him as an authority. The deceased gentlemm's motto, he might say, was independence, and he was one who, from tho bottom of h s heart, had nothiug like partisanship about him. No man more keenly possPßsed a higher senße of bis duties and responsibilities than he when he took office under tbe Harbor Board ; and such were his feelings regarding those duties, tbat within a few hours of his death he cause 1 intimation to be sent to tbe B <nrd tbat be was unable, thro gh illness, to attend a meotingof Ihe Bonrd. There was no man, the members of the Roard would bear him out m Baying, on whom they could rely for a more honest., independent, and thoughtful opinion, than the late Mr W. K. McDonald. Mr Acton said tliat it had been his fortune to know thi late Mr McDonald almost as long as hn knew any man m the district, and therefore he hoped he would bo permitted to endorse the remarks which had fallen from the Chairman, 'ihere was no doubt thnt the Board md the South Canterbury district, generally, hns sustained a very great, loss, as the deceased gentleman was one whose straightforwardness and integrity m all matters were conspicuous. Mr Hall stated tbat he had kuown the late Mr McDonald since the year 1853, a long time before he (Mr Hall) bad come to the district, and tbey had crossed the Rakaia together. He fully endorsed what hfA been said by tbe Chairman and Mr Acton, and feared that the lorn to the Board was one which would not be easily repaired. The Secretary was ordered to minute the fact of the late Mr MeDonalr-.'s death, and the loss occasioned to tbe Board by the same. COBBEBFONDBKCB. The following correspondence was read and considered : — From Mr C. W. Tancred, stating that as he had arrangements m contemn]*' ion which would prevent his attending tbe meetin :s of the Board, he bpgged to tender hiß resignation as a member thereof. The resignation was accepted. Erom Messrs Darling and Co., of Dunedin, as agents for Messrs Yarrow and Co, Steam Launch Builders m London, elating that they had a number of phntigraphs of steam launches which they would be glad to show to any number of the Board, as they believed a very suitable one could be supplied at a moderate rate. From Mr Innes, Newcaatle, with reference to the globe signal lamp ordered by the Board, slating tbat the same had been forwarded. From Mr Conyers, Commissioner of Railways, forwarding a tracing of ihe proposed Timaru railway station site, m compliance with a request from the Board. The Chairman stated that he was sorry t.i see lhat from the tracing all the lund occupied by tbe Government Landing Service would be laken for railway purpose-". From the Public Works uffice, Wellington, dated 7th May, relative to the same matter, and informing the Board that the Commis eioner of Baiiwayß had been directed to eoufer personally with them re the lond required for railway purpoßes. From Messrs Guthrie and Larnach, m timating tbat their contract with tbe Board for the supply of cement would shortly he completed, and offering to supply SOOL casks more on the same terms. The Engineer to the Board, wbo was present, m reply to a quesiion said tbat the Board was not requiring a further supply of cement m tbe meantime, especially nn account of tbe limited storage room they had for the same. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Elworthy, seconded by Mr Ball — "That m reply to Messrs Guthrie aiid Larnach's letter of the 3rd June tbey be informed that this Board are not wanting a further supply of cement." The Chairman informed the Board tbat it baying been ascertained that the Gjvernmenibad remittt d.the duty on the cement, used at the Oamaru breukwatt-r, on a cert ficate that it was to be employed for breakwater pur poses, the Secretary bad made on behalf of the Board a protest against the payment of the duty, and the Collector or Customs here had received a letter from the Government, stating that t-e Timaru Harbor Board were not to pay the duty on ci ment. LAUNCHING OF LIFE-BOAT. A letter was read from Captain Mills, thn Jfiarbor-ma-ter, reporting that m consequence of the works being carried on by the Government on the beach south of Captain Cain's Landing Service, and m front of tlie present life-boat shed, should the life-boat's 6ervicrs be required at any time, it would be quite impossible to launch her into the water at tbat place. Mr Hall laid that this was a matter which should not be over looked, as at present there was not sufficient room to take the oars across to the water, and the boat could not by any means be launched near th* sbed. Mr 'I urnbull stated that. Captain Mills had done quite right m reporting the matter to tbe Bo ird ; but he (Mr Turnbull) could not help thinking that when anything was done by the Government m connection with the Harbor, a great row was alwayß kicked up about it by two or tbree members of the Board. If the boat required to be launched she would be taken down to the Government Landing Service instead of beiug launched n the roughest part of tbe sea. It seemed to him tbat with some members of the Board there was always to be a lion m the path when any little difficulty cropped up with the Government. Captain Mills' own sense would tell him that when her services were needed, the lire-boat would be launched at the Government Landing Service. Mr HaU said that he differed from Mr Turnbull m his view of the subject. The shed bad been built for the lire-boat, and rhould bave bren kept clear m order that the boat might be launched there. The Chairman remarked tbat the sbed was built be'ore the Breakwater waa commenced. Mr Hall replied tbat the Breakwater was not finished yet. Tbey might have a vessel requiring the life-boat's services m such a position that it would be of great advantage to launch her from the shed Which bad been blocked up. He thought the matter was a serious one. Mr Evans said tbat he thought with Mr Turnbull, that the prober place to launch the boat from the Government Landing Servic. His Worship the Mayor said that if the life-boat conld not be launched from where it now was, tome other place would have tv be cho<en for the purpose. Mr Elworthy stated that the site of the life-boat shed was selected when the beaoh was all open way, and no-v that the Breakwaterwas being constructed he agreed witb Mr Turnbull tbat the life-boat should be launched from the Government JLanding Service. The Chairman intimated tbat he bad caused tbe report to be sent m, and as the Harbormaster stated that it was impossible for the life-boat to be launched from the abed, be thought it would be a very easy matter for him to point out where it should be launched. Mr Beswick said that the site of tbe sbed was chosen for launching the boat from. He bad seen a good deal of life-boat launohing

m his time, and consequently knew that a life-boat could not be launched anywhere. It. was understood that the Harbor-master should be asked lo select a new place on tbe be ich (rom which tolaunah the life-boat. THE STEAM CRANE. The Chairman read a letter Irom Mr Anderson, tbe contractor for the steam crane, as follows : — " I have the honor to advise you that the repairs to the crane are about being competed, and I would feel ob iged if you would' make arrangements for the necessary teßt before my men leave Timaru." The Chairman said that he had seen the engineer m charge of the crane on Wednesday, and had been informed by him that everything would be ready for the test on Friday afternoon, or, at anyrate, on Saturday. Mr Aclon said that if the Board could not obtain from their Engineer a satisfactory assurance regarding the crane's capabilities, then it would be a question of the exact terms of Ihe contract being carried out. Hr Hall said the crane would have to put into position blocks weighing from 33 to 35 tons, and explained that when a wave subsided under a block while it wa9 being lowered tbe drop would be equal to a strain of at. least 60 tons weight on the crane, and he stated that he certainly thought it should be tested to lift 60-t«n blocks. Mr Elworthy said that he thought it would be a most impolitic thing for the Board to takeover the crane until it had stood the test of lifting 60-ton blocks. It had only stood part of its trial bb yet, but he was m favor of de'aying the test until the completion of the present contract for the first portion of the Breakwater, m order that no delay should be occasioned to the contractora. Mr Gray remarked that m his opinion it would be better to have the crane tested immediately than to defer doing so till the present contract for the Breakwater was completed. 'I'he crane, he might say, had had " its preliminary gallop," and it was time that it should be tested. Mr Evans a'ked m whit position the Board stood to the contractors for tbe firet portion of the Breakwater, seeing that Mr Anderson had not been able to get. Ihe crane to go on "ith thc works. Was the contract lime stipulnted still running on ? 'J'he Chairman replied that they had been told at the last meeting that the crane had not been handed over to the Board. Messrs Allan and Stumbles had sent m a furtber claim for the delay caused to them through the last, breakage of tho crane. Mr Evans said he thought that was a very serious matt r, and that tbo position of the Board should bo defined with respect, to the contractors, because no doubt it was putting tbo latter to a great loss to have to stop work m the manner they had by the breakage of the crane. He agreed with Mr Elworihy's suggestion that if possible the crane ehould not be tested until the present Breakwater contract was completed ; but at the same rime it would be very much better to leave the matter to Mr Anderson. He thought that the contractors should be paid for the loss of lime oicarioned them. The Chairman drew the Board's attention to the fact, that Mr Amlerson m hii letter asked to bave the crane tested before his men left Timaru. He asked Mr Goodall for an opinion whether the Board was liable to pay the claim put m by Messrs Allan and Stumbles, amounting to £77 18b, for loss of time m carrying out their contract. Mr Goodall replied that any claim of the nature mentioned would, m his opinion, be between the contractors forthe crane and the contractor for the first portion of the Breakwater, as the detention bad been caused through the breakage of the crane, which had not yet been taken possession of by the Board. If the Board paid tbe claim they would have to deduct it. from Mr Anderson's account. He certainly thought that the contractors had been put to an inconvenience to the extent mentioned. Mr Evans said that he could not see that Messrs Allan and Stumbles had any claim again-t Mr Anderson, but thought they had a a good claim against the Board for the delay ihey had been put m carrying out their contract. Mr Goodall ag*in mentioned that tbe crane had never been handed over to the Board. Tlie Chairman then raised the question whether, by the Board's allowing the contractors to use it, Mr Anderson had not virtually handed it over to them. Mr HaU observed that Messrs Allan and Stumbles had not entered into a contract with Mr Anderson. Mr Grai drew the attention of the meeting to clause 4 of the contract entered into between Messrs Allan and Stumbles and the Board, by which he said it was shown to be the duty of the latter to hand over the crane to the former. If that was not done he could easily see that there would be no end of litigation between the Board and the contractors. Another clause m the coni met stated that "any lost time incurred while using the crane will not be allowed to the contractors." He thought that fairly bore out that pi rt stating that the crane was to be handed over to the contractors, and t hat any breakage ofter delivering it to tbe contractors would be entirely at the risk of the contractors for the Breakwater. He therefore was of opinion that the Board ahould be placed m a dear position by baying tbe crane tested, and by which tbey would only be carrying out the terms of the agreement witb Messrs Allan and stumbles. Be moved — " That m answer to the letter received from Mr Anderson re tbe crane, he be informed that the crane will be tested on Saturday." His Worship the Mayor seconded the motion. Mr HaU said that he would support the motion, aa until the crane was tested the Board would have an unlimited liability hanging over their heads. Mr Elworthy moved as an amendment — " That m reply to Mr Anderson's letter dated the 3rd June, he be informed that the Board is prepared to hand over to him at once a aum up to 75 per cent of the full amount of hiß contract on condition of his allowing the Board to use the crane until the completion ■>f the present mole of 300 feet before it is put to its full test of 60 tons." • Mr Evans seconded the amendment. The crane had bo far stood the test of lifting a 40-ton blook, and it would probably lift 50---ton blocks, but if tried with a 60-ton block would probably break down again. If Mr Anderson would consent to tbe course mentioned m the amendment, he was qui'e sure that Messrs Allan and Stumbles would be satirfied with it ; and besides, at the end of tbe time referred to the crane wonld be m good working order. Mr Hall asked whether the Engineer would be satisfied with the crane before it was tested to lift 60-ton blocks. Mr Goodall replied that he would certainly not have faith m the crane until it had been tested to lift the full 60 tonß weight. Mr Turnbull eaid that he thought it would be better to defer the final test of the crane till the mole of the Breakwater was completed. He would just mention the fact that the crane at the George-street Landing Service, after having lifted a weight of throe tes, was tried with a hogshead of water, which it failed to lift, owing to the fact that it had been strained. The same thing might happen to tbe large crane if it were now put to lift a 60 ton block, while it was known to ke able to do the w:>rk required of it. His Worship the Mayor said that by testing tbe crane to lift a block of 60 tons its weak places would be found out, and if it were not tested they might be surprised some day at i«s failing to lift a 30-ton block. Mr Goodall stated that at any time, by a single slip of the chains, a weight of 60 tons might be put on the crane. Messrs Gray and Hall argued that by carrying the amendment the Board would be breaking the terms of the original agreement with the contractor for the crane. The Chairman pointed out that it did not relieve the contractor from his liability to test the crane hereafter. On being put the motion was carried, Messrs Hall, Cliff, Gray, Acton, and Beswiok vo'iog for, and Messrs Turnbull, Elworthy, and Evans against it. A On themotion of Mr Acton, seconded by Mr Elworthy, it was resolved — " That the olaim of Messrs Allan and Stumbles, contractors for tbe Breakwater, for delay m carrying out their contract, through breakage of orane, be paid." THK OOVBBNUBNT LANDING SBBTIOB. Mr Acton moved, Mr Gray seoonded, and it was carried—'' That Messra Hall, Beswiok, ; Evans, and the Chairman, be appointed a

Committee to report as to lh<j luture management of the Government. Landing Bervice." ENGINEER'S MONTHLY BEPOBT. The Engineer's monthly report was read as follows: — -' I have the honor to report that during last month tbe .breakwater contractors have extended the mole eighteen feet, making xx total of one hundred and fourteen fret. " Tlie official test of tb-» crane came off on the 20th of last month. 'Xhe travelling gear was found to be defective, one of the wheels los.ng four teeth, while the crane -was carrying snd propelling a block of 36 tons m weight. The same block, having been loaded to 40 tons, was then lifted by the crane, and radiated first to the right, and then to the Irft ; this was accomplished satisfactorily. The crane was then subjected to the final test of raising 60 tons, and m this it failed, for as coon as the weight was fairly on the crane one of the brackets holding the rods connected with the jib gave way, doing material damage to the jib. Since the accident Mr Anderson has had a staff of men actively engaged m repairing tbe damage, cure being taken that all portions showing weakness are very much strengthened. The repairs, I fully expect, will be completed by the end of this week. The work connected with the new boat-way and the sbeet-piling has advanced very slowly since last month, on acoount of tbe beavy seas that have prevailed during that time. The sheet piling is neirly completed, and the space behind is being rapidly filled m with the spoil eanb from the railway cutting. Tbe cement shed will soon be m a position to be repaired, and I would recommend tbis to bs done as soon as the earth m front of it is sufficiently consolidated. " (Signc d) John Goodall, " Engineer to the Board." The report was adopted. THE BTB AM LAUNCH QUESTION. The Chairman said that tbe next business was the bringing before the meeting the re* port of the Committee appointed to colleot evidence as to the best class of tug-boat to be employed at tbe port. He called upon the Secretary to read the report, of which the following is a copy : — "The Committee appointed to enquire as to'the class of tug-boat required for this port have to report thut they have met four times, and have ta'en tbe evidence of Messrs MeDeormid, Smith, Cnin, Woollcombe, Meredith, Gedye, Pearson, Hill, nod Chapman. " After weighing the evidence given, thpy have come to the conclusions — " (1) That tho most desirable vessel forthe roadstead would be a steam launch, srrew ; length of vessel, from 35 to 45 feet 5 and from 12 to 20 h.p., capable of being hoisted to dauts. " (2) That a launch of the above description could tow the surf- boats used at this port with at leaat twice the speed now obtained by the present method of towing ; but that if a greater speed is required, the Burf. boats would require to be built on different lines.. That the launch could tow out tbe surf- boats whenever the weather would permit of tbeir lying alongside the vessels to be served. That she could be employed as a tug m ordinary weather. " (3) Thnt the cost of such a boat may be estimated at £2000. '(4) That the cost of maintenance would be about £90 a month; viz, master, £20 per mcnih ; engineer, £15; two men, £16; fuel, ke., £39; total, £90. *' (5) That the benefits to be obtained by the use of a steam launch would be — economy m lines, whicli are estimated to cost each Serviceabout £100 per annum ; economy m labor, bb fewer men would be required m each boat going to tha outer anchorage ; economy m time, as the surf-boats conld travel the distance m at least half the time now taken ; quicker despatch for shipping, which would be a great inducement for foreign vessels to trade to this port direct ; increased safety to large vessels, which could lie out further than tbey now do, and yet be served us rapidly as if they were olose m; consequent reductions of freight and insurance, and corresponding advantages to producers m the district; increased efficiency to tbe Board's Landing Service, enabling it to serve more vessels at greater speed, and, if required, to overtake the whole work of the port. " (6) Taking the above points into consideration the Committee strongly recommend the purchase of a steam launch for the use of the Harbor. "G. Clot (Signed) " R. Turnbull " W. Evans." Mr Evans stated that he might s-ty, as tbe mover of the resolution BBking that a subcommittee should he appointed to obtain from competent persons particulars of a suitable 1 ug, _c. that it was now Borne years since the late Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works took tbe trouble to obtain evidence of the same kind as that now before the Board. That body, however, did not follow out their inten--1 ion of obtaining a tug-boat, and why they did not do so he was at a loss to understand. Since that time the number of vessels trading to the port of Timaru had beeu gradually increasing, and he was sure that the members of the Board and the community generally, would bear him out m saying tbat the present shipping facilities at the port were a disgrace to the Board. It was a disgrace to the Board , to allow the present state of things to exist month after month, and year after year, without making an effort to* remedy it. The sub-committee, of which he was a member, bad tried by every means m their power to obtain all the ip formation available, and as they would observe by a perusal of the report just read, they were all unanimous iv the opinion that a steam launch was urgently needed. There were just then several vessels m the roadstead which had not, on an average, received more than one cargo-boat's load per week during the last month or six weeks, and there was no probability of their receiving more than one boat's oargo per week during tbe present month, or until the three English vessels now m the road-tead were loaded. It was quite evident that that was a state of things which of course told more or less agaiust the prosperity of everyone m tlie district, as owners would not send their vessels here unleßß they received very high rates of freight, and the high rates ol insurance levied on ships trading to the port also tended to inorease the total oharges on goods, which charges the general public had to pay. If people did not see that the preaent disgrace ful shipping facilities at this port caused money to be directly taken from their pookets, they could snrely understand that it did so indirectly. Tbe port was being given a bad name, and he thought that tbe sooner they rous d themselves Jip to a full sense of the importance of the subject the better, lhe only difficulty advanced m the way of procuring a steam launch, was the question of procuring funds for its purchase, and that difficulty, he beld, could be easily got over, for if they could secure fundi for buying surf-boats, he thought they could obtain funds from the same source with which to purchase a steam launch, wbich he held was a necessary adjunct to the proper working of the harbor. He then quoted, m support of his statement, Clause 8 of "The Harbors Aot, 1878," to the effect that when any works are shown to be for the improvement, protection, and management of tbe harbor, the funds of the Board could legally be expended upon them. He then read tke letter received from the Marine Department, Wellington, intimating that £100,000 had been voted for the Timaru Harbor Board, and which conoluded by stating that " The Timaru Harbor Board will now have no difficulty m provid ng for the .expenses of the port." 'ihey bad discussed the matter over and over again, and erery member of the Board must by this time see the desirability of having further shipping facilities, owing to the very large number of vessels lying week after week,and month after month m tbe roadstead, waiting to be loaded, and the Committee had recommended that a small steam launch, at a cost of from £1800 to £2000 should be purchased. This sum, he maintained, could be taken from the same source as were the amounts taken to pay for the surfboats. In a short time tbey wou'd have the Government Landing Service handed over to them. Then they would require more boats and shipping aooommodation, and so they would more than ever require a steam launoh to do the work of the port. The Government Landing Service, if properly worked, woald bring m a handsome revenue to the Board, out of which tbe purchase money of the launch oould be taken, and at all events it would be sx or nine months before . suoh a boat oould ht brought to Timarn if

they ordered her from England. He then read a letter from a firm m Sydney, from which it appeared that a soitable steam launch could be procured there. The Chairman «aid tbat there was no resolut on before tbe meeting; he fully expected that Mr Evans would, at the conclusion of hiß remarks, bave proposed amotion dealing with the report. Mr Gray said that Mr Evans could not very well have moved a motion dejling with che report, as that gentleman was one of the Committee presenting it. Although he (Mr Gray) had been appointed as a member of that Committee, he had not attended one of its meetings, therefore be did not think he would be out of place m moving — "That the report of the Committee appointed by this Board to collect evidence aa to the best class of steam tug or launch for the use of tbis port be adopted." Mr Acton said he thought that before they adopted it they should make quite sure that it was the report of the Committee appointed to enquire into the matter. The report laid before them was only signed by three gentlemen, and the other three forming the Committee, who were now m the meeting being held, should favor the Board by stating their coincidence or otherwise with the report. The Chairman stated that as ona of the Committee who had not signed it, he might explain that he agreed wilh tbe report with the exception of lhe last clau«e recommending that a steam launch should be purchased. He should ba very glad to s-e a steam launch or something of the kind at Timaru, but he regretted to say that their hands were so tied that they were not m a position to invest any funds of the Board on that object. Mr Hall said that he generally agreed with with what Mr Evans had said, but that gentleman had overlooked several matters. He be ieved that'-Ja steam launch would be of service, but he/denied that they bad power to take the funds of the Board for the purchase of a steam launch, and he had been very much surprised when the motion to tbe effect that a steam launch was to be procured was carried, and to protect themselveß, Captain Beswick and he had taken a legal opinion on ihe subject from the district Crown Solicitor. The opinion of Messrs White and Jameson, which he held m his hand, was directly a ntagonistic to that of some of the members of the Board, that they had power to purchase a Bteam launch from fundß taken from the £100,000 grant. He intended to protest against the illegality of such a misappropriation of a portion of the Board's money, and would nut hold himßelf personally responsible for any liability members might bring upon themselves by persisting m such a line of conduct ; and he warned members that the matter would be carried further. He was one of the Committee appointed to enquire into the matter, but he could not agree with tbe last olause of the report, whioh was tha reason why he h id not signed it. Mr Evans asked why the purchase of the sarf-boats had not been objected to. Mr Hall said that question waa easily onßwcred — because the money for the purchase of the surf boats came out of the Landing Service fund. Mr Evanß said he thought the money for the purchase of the steam launch could also come fron the same source. Mr Hall replied that the Secretary could tell them at once that, with the purchase of the new surf -boats, the working of the Land ing Service at the end of the year would prove to be at a loss. Mr Elworthy said he cordially agreed with what Mr Evans had said about the want of further shipping facilities, but he thoroughly endorsed the opinion expressed that they could not touoh any portion of that money which had been handed over to the Board for the construction of the Breakwater. That money was only intended for protective works at the port of Timaru, and could not be applied to any other purpose. His Worship the Mayor stated that the evidence given before tbe Committee was from those who had more to do with vessels m the harbor of Timaru than any other persons. The members of the Board would see froth what had appeared m the newspapers that all of those witnesses were of opinion that a tug would be of great service to the port m loading and discharging vessels. It appeared that the only difference of opinion existing was that regarding tbe question or funds. The cost of the launch was estimated at about £2000 ; it would be, he thought, pretty well twelve months before the orane would be brought bere, and before lhat time they would be sufficiently advanced with tbe Breakwater to enable them to collect charges from the steamers and smaller vessels which would lie alongside of it., and the money raised by those charges could be taken for tbe payment of the purchase money of the laurch, if there was no otber way of raising funds. Then they would have tbe interest on the £100,000, wbich he argued could be justly token for objects for the improvement of the Harborother than the Breakwater. He was not at all struck with the force of the solicitors' opinion on the subject, as, when a solicitor was asked for hiß opinion, the case was very often laid before bim m a way which showed plainly bow the person submitting it wished to have it answered. He thought they bad a periect right to expend the interest 'of the £100,000 on tbe purchase of a steam tug ; but he would do everything m his power to prevent the £100 000 being touched for other work thon the Breakwater. Then tbey had the £8000 which had been handed to the Board from the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Work-, and there had been Acts passed authorising the latter body to expend that £8000 on anything tbat would tend to the improvement of the port. Mr Hall said that the Acts referred to by Mr Cliff had all been repealed. Mr Cliff com inued, saying that the £8000 had been handed over to the Board, and that nothing relating to it being mentioned m the Act now m force, he did not think that it had ever been the intention of the Government to debar them from spending that £8000 on anything which would tend to the improvement ofthe Harbor. Mr Hall asked whether there was anything before the meeting. Mr Gray s tid that there was. He bad proposed a motion for the adoption of the report, but it had not been seconded. He pointed out that the carrying of his motion did not bind the Board to purchase the launch. Mr Elworthy seconded the resolution pro forma. s_|On the suggestion of Mr Evans, the Board then adjourned till two o'clock. On resuming, the members m attendance at the morning sitting were present and also Mr Moody. Mr Acton said tbat before tbe adoption of the report was put, it was only fair to Mr Moody, who had then jast taken his seat, to point out that tbe report could not be taken as a fair deduction from the evidence given before the Committee, because it was only signed by tbree members out of bix forming that Committee. The Chairman stated tbat he thought the report was tx fair report on the evidence brought before the Committee. Mr Evans remarked that from what Mr Acton had said it appeared that he was attempting to throw a slur upon the three members of the Committee who bad signed the report. Surely they had gone into the evidence as carefully as it was possible for them lo do, and placed all the evidence before the Board. It was not the fault of himself or Messrs Cliff and Turnbull that the other members of the Committee did not attend aU the meetings. The Chairman again observed that the report was a fair one, but pointed ont that tbe Board was bound by certain bard rules, made by the Legislature so that tbat they could not expend any portion of this grant on the purchase of a steam launch, or on any other object than the Breakwater. Mr Turnbull said tbat he would very much like to see tbe report of tbe Committee placed upon record, aa otherwise it would be only ss much waste paper, and he would not like to see the Übors of the members of Committee thrown away for nothing. The Chairman remarked that he conld not see that they could do otherwise with the report tban adopt it, witli tho exception of the olause recommending tbe purchase of a launch. Mr Moody said that of course he was put to a great disadvantage m not knowing what bad passed m the morning, relative to the subject under discussion. It seemed to hi _ that the gr>-at ftumrling block m the way of the purohase of the steam launch was the legality ■ of it. Such being the caee, he said he wonld

like to know whut posit 0.. i • dwas m wit'" regard to the Landinu Ber»ices, and what right they had to tmploy the Board's funds m purchasing surf-boats. Mr Hall said tbo money fot the surf-boats came out of the Landing Service fund. Mr Moody asked what were the expenses m connection with the Landing Service, because, he said, it must appear very clearly to aoyone, tbat if the Harbor Board was to have the control of the Government L-inding Service, they should be m a position to repair it ; and if tbey were not now legally authorised to do anything for the improvement of tbe Harbor, the sooner they were put m such a position tbe better. If tbe Board were not empowered to spend money upon improving the Harbor m other ways than that of the construction of the Breakwater, they would be doing illegal acts m connection with the Board every day. It se mcd to him that they were continually obliged to do illegal acts ; therefore, the sooner tbe present state of affnirj was remedied the better. He thought that if the members who opposed the resolution were really m earnest about the matter, they would try to devise means of getting out of the difficulty, instead of throwing obstacles m the path. It was really a very serious matter. He spoke for the district he represented. There they had heaps and heaps of wheat, which could not be sent away for the want of shipping facilities. Mr Hall stated that the question to be decided was whether the Board should do illegal acts or not. He submitted that they could not purchase the launch m the face of the legal opinion he bad previously referred to, and m the face of the Auditor's opinion. Mr Gray said he thought they had been wandering away from tbe Bubj^ct at issue, they Bhould first decide as to tne adoption of the report, and go into the merits of tbe case afterwards. Of course they bad had the Auditor's opinion, but he (Mr Gray) submitted, with all due respect, that m giving that opinion the Auditor went entirely beyond bis sphere. He then quoted the 33rd section of the Act to show that any irregularity on lhe part of a Harbor Board could not be ratified by the Gjvernor-in-Oounci'.. The late Mr McDonald (whose death had been referred to m feeling terms that morning), at the last meeting of the Board attended by him, said — " JLet us do what we can to get this grain shipped. Here is the poor farmer struggling to get on, and he cannot get his train away"; and he had spoken strongly m favor of any means being adopted by which the shipping facilities would be increased. He had not the slightest hesitation m sayinglthat the Board would never be called m question for spending its money upon anything which would facilitate the shipping m tbe port, end the expenditure referred to would not only be within the four corners of the Act, but m the very centre of it. Mr Turnbull said that he should like to have seen the question of the legality of expending a portion of.the Board's funds on tbs purchase of a launoh, and that of tbe adopi ion of the report separately dealt with. He could not agree with the members who held that by purchasing the launch the Board would be doing an illegal act, and pointed out the absurdity of placing reliance on the opinion of a lawyer, as the latter often advised m the way which he knew would please the person asking his opinion. Mr Hall had pointed out one very great objection to thn purchase — that the Acts giving power to the Tiniaru and Gladstone Board of Works to spend ths fundß upon anything for improving the harbor had been repealed, but he (Mr Turnbull) would cay tbot those acts were repealed to give way to more efficient acts. He took it that they were a Harbor Board, and under Clause 65 of thß Act under which they were constituted as such, the funds could be taken for the construction of harbor works, furnishing materials, purchasing maohinery, appliances, ka. Nothing could be more full or comprehensive to hio: regarding the expenditure of the Harbor Board's funds, than was that clauso of the Act which had been passed for all the Harbor Boards iv the colony. Clause 69 was, however, still more applicable to the case under consideration, as it stated that proper services and labor shail be provided by every Harbor Board for working at all reasonable times, kc. He also quoted sub-section 3 of clause 153 to bear out his ttateroent that the funds of the Harbor Board could be taken for any object tending to facilitate tbe shipping. The increase m the amount of work which they would be able to do at the Government Landing Service with the aid of a steam launch, would more than recoup Ihe cost of purchasing and maintaining the launch. Only on Wednesday, he had been informed that a small vessel of 60 tons had been lying iv the roadslead for four weeks, and that she she was not yet loaded. He would tell the Board plainly that by refusing to purchase a steam launch, they were simply building the Breakwater, and at tbe same time driving all the vessels away from the port ; and he asked what was the use of spending the £100,000 if they could not get vessels to come to the port. If they only reckoned the interest on tbe value of the grain now awaiting shipment m Timaru, ithey would realise the lobs which was being caused to the district. Thousands of pounds were being lost, the interest on the value of the produce which could not be put into the ships, owing to the lack of shipping facilities. Tbe Oommittee had taken a great deal of trouble m the matter, and had acted impartially, and if the members of tbe Board had sufficient moral courage to take upon themselves the responsibilities of purchasing the launch, he was sure that the purchase would be ratified by the Governor m Council ; but he thought that nothing could be plainer, as showing the power of the Board to make the purchase, than tbe 65th clause of the Act. The members of the Board were now m such a position that he was of opinion that they would be but stumbling blocks m the way of the progress of the district, if they refused to do something to relieve the necessities of the district. The motion for the adoption of the report was then put and carrier), Me*srs Turnbull, Cliff, Elworthy, Evans, and Moody voting for, and Messrs Hall, Beswick, and Acton against it. Mr Hall then handed m bis protest against the motion, along with a copy of the legal opinion on the Bubject from Messrs Jameson and White. Mr Moody moved — "That the Harbor Board lay the case before the AttorneyGeneral for his opinion on the legal position of the Board m the caee of expenditure m connection with the Landing Services, and to suggest means by which the expenditure on a Bteatn launch can be incurred, and, if necessary, legalised by subsequent Act ; and that a Committee, consisting of the Chairman and the mover, be appointed to submit the case." Mr Elworthy seconded the motion. In reply tn Mr Hall, Mr Evans said that he would not be prepared to abide by the opinion of the Attorney-General, if adverse to the legality of purchasing the launch, but he would be guided by the four cornors of the resolution. The motion was agreed to, Mr Beswick stating that he would not vote for or against it, as he did not believe that a steam launch would be of any sorvice to the Harbor. Mr Cliff then moved, Mr Turnbull seconded, and it was agreed — " That the Engineer be inatructed to coUect the necessary information he may require, prier to preparing specifications for the constrnction of the steam launoh." Mr Cliff explained that he moved themotion simply m order to save time. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £1423 14 1 5d having been passed for payment, the meeting adj urned, it bein? understood that on the receipt of the opinion of the Attorney General, above referred to, the Chairman should call the members together.