TTMARU HARBOUR BOARD.

Timaru Herald, Volume LV, Issue 5516, 19 September 1892, Page 3

TTMARU HARBOUR BOARD.

A special meeting of tho Timaru Harbour Board waa hold on Saturday. Present : Messrs E. Acton (ohairman), J. S. Gibson, I. L. Morris, 3. Tolbot, V. B. Flatman, G. Stumbles, J. Hill, and J. Manchester. Mr T. Tesehemaker came m lato. TJIE tdg-dbbdge. The chairman stated that this was a special meeting to consider correspondence from Mr Darling re the proposal to purcliaße a combine 1 dredge aad tug, and to examine and possibly accept a tender for tho construction of thu eorae. Mr Darling's last communication road to tbe Board recommended an addition of three feot to the beam of the vessel. There had already been reoeived a tender from Mr J. Anderson, of Christchurch, and the Board decided to return tbis tender and ask Mr Anderson, if he wished, to make any alterations. Mr Anderson replied that he would not rowrite his tender, and returned ; it, with the understanding that each item m I it be inoreased by £250. ■ j A li tier from J. Mcßwen and Co. was read j tbat they had sent a tender to Mr Darling. ' They could not givo a definite prioe for taking the dredge to Timaru, but they heard ! it could be dono for about £2000. A letter from Mr Darling, dated 6th August, ' stated that ho sent six printed copies of the specifications he had preparer*, and three tenders he had received tlieroon. He was disappointed m not receiving an offer from a firm who had great experience m this sort of work, and Friestinans also declined | to tender, probably because the Board | preferred anothor maker's cranes. Tbe choice therefore lay between Mosbm Fleming and Ferguaaon und Messrs Simons and Co. ] Theee were tbe best dredge makers m tbe . kingdom, and as tho work bad been keenly competed for ond he folt sure tbat v moro . favourable price could not be got from any , one, and as the time was most favouroblo for j gotting low prioes, tbe board need have no hesiiation m accepting the mot favour- j able offer, if they thought of getting j it built at Home at all. Ho had decided cot | to coblo the prices out, but to put everything before tho Board, and to .osk tbe Board to cable their decision. He bad postponed j tbe dato for receiving tenders twice, m order j that intendiog contractors might b« ablo to j get some quotations from the only makers of j Wolmon's pump, but up to dote of writing | no quotations bad been received, consequently , the firms tendering had to baso thoir calcula- j tionß on the prices of pumps by othor makers. He presumed that tbey would be able to get the Weiman pump, but should they not, except, at au exorbitant price, he must be considered blameless by agreeing to accept another. Tbo " boring head," referrod to m the specification, he was told had been found to be unworkable m Great Britain and Holland for any length of time, and quite unnecessary. If it was considered neoessory by the Board he wished they would send him full particulars of it. Mr Darling then discussed the Bhape of the hull. Ho felt sure that when they made tbe linos fine enough for steerine, the carrying capacity for spoil would be reduced to lees than 300 tons, and be must be allowed to roduce the dead weight to gain efficiency m otoering. It would be muoh better to lengthen tlio bull by 15ft, wbioh would not add much to her oost and would make her a batter carrying vessel, and easier to get out lo Timaru. Mr Darling strongly recommended that twin smews should be adopted, for many reasons. (Mr Darling; had colled for and received tenders for a eioglo-sorew boat.). Tho best drodge winches should bo used, and a amall motor for lifting the hopper doors. Ihe Board would then bavn a very ejEoient machine, 0"d probably tbo whole of these suggestions would cost but little over £1000 ; or he dared cay that if £10Q0 m addition to contract price wan offerod it would bo acoepted. The getting of suoh a vessel out to Timaru would bo both expeneive and difficult. If sailed out her bottom would probably get so foul that she would noithor Bail nor steer, and tho consequences would be disastrous. Tho Board should therefore calculate on tbo vossel being steamed out, and to mako as much coal ro.im ai possiblo, everything movable about her gear should be sent out by sailing vessel. In reply to a question tbe secretary said tbe fouling of tbe vessel's bottom would take placo m tho tropics. The Mana bad weeds two feet long growing on her wben she arrived. A member explained that ships do not get so bad because they are coppered. The tenders were then opened aa followa (for a singlo propeller boat) : — From Flemming and Ferguson, Glasgow, (builders of tho Mana) : - I.— Single propeller steel hopper dredge, 125 x 27 I 12, as por plans and specifications, with two dredge cranes, tried on tho Clyde and ready fur sea, without towing gear, net £12,500. 2. -Ditto, with toning gtor, one crane, and bed pla'e, etc., for a second, £11,500. 3 — Dit'.o, delivered m Timaru £14,000. A lotter accompanying the tender said their offer covered a first olass job, and if they got the work they would ensuro satisfaction. Tbey had asked tbe makers of tho Weiman pump for prices but bad boen unable to got tbem. They hart however included the pump m their estimate believing tboy wou'rl bs able to come to somo arrangement witb the makers. In the evont of their not succeeding m thio they would be able to supply anothor pump which would be equally effective. W. Simons and Co, — No. 1 (as abovo) £12,650 No. 2 (ditto) £11,600. This firm declined to tender for, delivery st Timaru. Jas MoKwcn and Co. — No. 1 (as above) £14 600. No. 2, (ditto) £14,150. Tbis firm did not tender for delivery at Timnru, and they stipulate! for freedom of ohoice m makes of cranes and sand pumps. John Anderson, Christchurch : — Dredge complete with single screw — I.— With two craneu and pump, £18,600. 2. — With two cranes no pump, £15,400. 3 — With one orano and pump, £17.275. 4. — With one crano and oo pump, £14,085. Dredge complete witb two acrews — s.— (As No. 1 above), £19,600. S.— (As No. 2), £16.800. 7.-(a 9 N0.'3), £1817$. S,-£AsNo'. 4), £14,98.5. To ib oep prices thero wero additions to be made, donkey boiler £105, eleotrio light £170, tow-bar and books £90 ; also £250 for additional beam of boat required by Mr Darling. In answer to a question tbe engineer, Mr Marchant, said everything required was named m tbe specifications prepared by Mr Darling, and included m tbe tendors, excopt tho tiun screws. Mr Darling was requested to arrange tho vessel m accordance with Messrs Cook and Cameron's report : but somehow or other be had missed that point and all tbe tenders were for a single screw Ibojpt. To put m two smaller screws and engines, instead, of the one larger one would post £7,00 of £§00 Mr Darling stated that the voasol could ba lengthened "jUSft, be given twin ecrows, and extra winoheo. for about £1000. Tbe increased length yw to givo her finer lines, and the extra lfjft. woi)ld majje bfn140ft. long. The Mana is IgOffc.' Tbo cradle of tho slip would n«ed to be lengthened to toke hor up, if made 140 ft. In reply to Mr Wilson, Mr Marobant said . the " boring head " waa rjot required m sand , but m bard ground it was necessary to break , it up. Ths boring bead iB a long eieeve on lha lower end of tbe suction pipe, armed with , teetb, /j.n.d by revolving tbe ileeve tbo teeth , tore up aptj loojß^ed hard and bouldery , ground. Ho had personally seen the value of ! this boring head on the dredge 'pump at Like Brunlon. It wbb a most important thing. - For hard ground like tbe bottom of tbo I harbour under tbe drift sand tbey must have

it. It could not cost muob, £60 or £70 perhaps. A considerable amount of disoussion took place on this subject. Mr Stumbles said tbat he was informed by an Invorcargill man that tho bead did nob work well at Lake Brunton ; it was always getting out ot order. It was not strong enough. Mr Gibson asked whether they oonld dispense with tho pump altogether. The pump was first proposed as an appliance for lifting tbe shingle, but that idea had been knocked on the head. Then the question of using a pump for dredging inside the harbour eamo up, and the pump was reoommended for this work, though it would not lift anything but looso stuff. The boat would be provided wilh two -grab dredges, ond the pump might be dono without, perhaps- But if they bad the pump and aay largo quantity of shingle drifted round the end — tbey had had to clear shingle away twice — the pump would do excellent service. Mr Marchant said the pump could not bo used for clearing tbe shipping berths, there being too muoh rubbish there, old ropes, and bits of timber that would foul a pump. But out m tbo harbour, if thoy wore going to deepen it, as thoy ravut do, tho work couid bs done for o (bird or a fourth of the cost of Priestman work. Mr Flatman admitted that he waß "m a regular fog." Waa not tho pump for lifting shinglo ? The chairman : No. It will not act from a fliotiog bose, owing to the difficulty of making connections. Mr Wilson: ln the event of our accepting a tender, wbat is our financial position P The chairman replied that there was nino or ten tbous.ind at fixed deposit, and thero ; were the Mana and Taniwha insurance funds, | together £6COO ! Mr Flatmau objected Btrongly to diverting ' these insurance funds. Where would they bo if tbey lost tho Mana ? I The chairman said tliey proposed to sell tbe Mana. 1 Mr Hill suggested that Mr Darling'a letter should be printed, and the mrcting adjourned. He considered that Irtter upset the whole thiDg. and oondemned tho board altogether. Mr Flatman asked what the oslimato of cost given by Mr Marobant was. | Mr Hill: £8000. [ Mr Marchant denied that he bad ever given an estimate for this boat. Tbo chairman said members wero thinking jof Messrs Cook and Cameron's estimate, \ which was £8900 for the boat and £4000 for appliances, which was just about what thotenders wero — aeurprisiugly close estimate m . faot. , j Mr Hill Was sure Mr Marchant had given an eeMmate of £8000. and two or three momj bera wrangled a little whether or no be had dono co. | Mr Gibson moved and Mr Morris seoonded, that the tenders and correspondence be aub milted to tbe Standing Committee and such j other members of tho Board as could attend, j for them to bring up a report and recom- | mcndatioD at the ordinary mcoting of Uha Board, next Wednesday. I Mr Gibson a iid Mr Darling's suggestions, i coming from bo thoroughly competent a. map, j were very valuable. It was unfortunate that thero had been a certaiu amount of misunderstanding on Mr Darling's part about tbe number of sorews. It woi imperative that the boat should have twin propellers for towing purposes. He should say tbey wanted for dredging a boat of about 160 to 300 tons oarrying capacity., fitted witb two of tbe beet grab oranes- Then the quostion arose whether it would not be advisable to add a motion pump to deepen the harbour, and to lift any shingle going round tbo end. It was for the Board to decide what it really wanted ; the prioe was o seoondary matter. 'Ihey wanted a really efficient machine, and be thought they ought to get it from the Old Oountry, where Iho best of material and appliances wore available, aud whero the makrrs were not afraid lo take all Ihe responsibility of success or failure. Tbey should decide on what, Ihey wanted and not accept a tender by wire, but wire tbat a lotter was coining, staling exactly what was wantei. Mr Morris briefly seconded. Thoro was no use dis'.uasing the matter at this etnge wben it was to bo brought up again. Mr Flatman said ihere wore a lot of quibbles mMr Darling's letter. (Mr Talbot: No quibbles at all.) The adding of 15ft to* the length and tbe twin screws were not small items, and then the makers said they Could not get the pricos for a Woi man pump, and talked of putting m others. Thero was no need for suoh hurry as to settle it all by Wednesday, Mr Manchester supported the motion. The committee could get oil tho points put m order, and the question simplified much better than thei board could, do— judging by the examples they had bad that morning. Ihe committee could have tha whole matter put m a nutshell by Wednesday. Mr Tesehemaker supported tha motion. He waa vory much pleased with Mr Darling's letter. Mr Talbot ooocurrad. The care Mr Darling bad shown would giro thorn every confidence m him. A great deal bad been said about Mr Marohanfs estimato of £8000 but thot was for a diffsront thipg altogether, merely a steam barge for oarrying shinglo and Weiman pump. Then it was proposed to combino towing, dredging, and shingle carrying, and that, of course, put bis estimate out. Mr Hill was surprised at Mr Gibson and Mr Talbot. Ho h d eaid tbe machine would cost £15 000, and they wero now asked for £14,000 for a single screw. Tliey must have a twin sorow, and when they began to alter tho .contract there would be no end to it. The chairman eaid Ihe alteration could be mado for £1000 and £15,000 would be very reasonable for an offioient boat. Mr Hill doubted tbat estimate very muoh They ran a risk of getting a thing they could not use, and should call for fresh tenders. The thing would cost. £20.000 before they had done with it. He asked for further delay, ss he could not attend a moeting before Wednesday. Mr Wilson raisad the question whether it was worth while having a pump at all ; to do without it would save £1000. He saw np use m putting tbe matter off further. Mr Flatman moved an amendment, secon. ded by Mr Stumbles — " That ia consequence of tbe bigb prioe and the unsatisfactory com. ments of Mr Darling no tender be acoepted, and that fresb tonders be invited after propor plans and specifications and estimates have been prepared m accordance with Mr Darling's suggestions." Mr Flatman claimed to be actuated by as great a desire for the welfare of tbo Timaru harbour ob anyone bad. He considered they bad nothing before them to warrant tbem m laying out so large a sum of money. Once . they got a contract * perforated " thoy would "rub it m" They ought to get fresb specifications drawn up on Mr Darling'a euggcßtiousjin conjunction with Mr Marchant, ob there appeared to be differences between tbem about the pump, Mr Dirling oondemuing the pump. Tho chairman said that wob not so ; he only said tho boring head was unnecessary. Mr Flatman said every tondorer wanted to got out of using the Weiman pump ; ho was mno fog about that. Thoy must haro some better opinions about the spending of all tbis money. It was all vory well ta talk about taking the insurance funds and deposits, but tboy had na right to do it, They were going' to risk fourteen or fifteen thousand pound?, and they did not know what tboy wpre gqing to risk it on, The chairman : Tbero ara the speoifloai tions. Mr Flatman: And what are tbey? Mr Darling reoommenda that we altor tbem. Once " perforata " a contract and there is no knowiog bow much may be got through. Mr Stumbles agreed. He would not accept a tender unless everything were specified. They "11 knew what f ' extras " meant. Mr Darling's one thousand might be two or throe. Ihey ought to know exactly what tbe thing was going to 006t before tbey accepted a tonder. Tho chairman supposed if thoy acoepted Mr Darling's advice they would give him the authority to bave the alterations made m the contract, with a limit, to tho sum bo named. Mr Stumbles : We should hove nothing before us. The chairman •. But suroly you would trust bim m suoh a thing as tbot ? Mr Stumbles : tfot at all. The Board should bavo everything before them, m tbo public intereet. Mr Manchester could see very little m tbo

point raised by Mr Stumbles. He took iti that Mr Darling had authority to represent the board, and that be would see tbat tbe additions if adoptod were mado part of the contract, and then the board would get from Mr Darling a contract as they desired to have it. With regard to tho estimates spoken of, it appeared to him remarkable that the estimates made out here agreed so closely with tho lender*. Aod as to misunderstandings between Mr Marchant and Mr Darling about what was wanted, if they woro togother five minutes, thoy would have everything put straight. All the difficulty had arisen from tbo enginerr not knowing niceties m the Home trade, and Mr Darliog not knowing evorj thing about the harbour, and after all tbe differences were very slight He believed the committeo would be nble to put the wholo mutter very clearly by Wednesday. Mr Gibson agreed with Mr Manchester that Mr Darling was practically the board ; he was the accredited ngont of tbo board ( he had served tho board well m the past, and would doso again. He could understand tha reason delay was moved for, it was simply obstructive, not to obtain information. The obstructives noed not vote for accepting a tender wben it was to bo put to tbe voto. If the board bad all tbe technical plans they would not bo able to understand them, so where was the ute of demanding full specifications ? For bis own part bo did not profess to know anythinS ahout them, and believed to trusting to Mr Darling as the board's representative. Mr Hill understood that it was proposed to gire Mr Darling full power to accept o tender, let the amount be what it might after all alterations were.made. It was ail very well to say thoy were obstructive ; they were nothing of the kind. Ho bad pointed out at tbe outset that there was * more economical way of going to work, by extending the straight work, and saving £10,000. He would strongly object lo any tender being accepted uuloss they know exactly what it was going to cost. The amendment was lost by fi votes to 3, mover and secondor and Mr Hill voting for it, tbo rest against. Mr Gibson's motion was then put and oarriod by 6 to 3. The meeting (hen terminated, after sitting two hours, tbo committee agreeing to meat at 11 a.m. to-d&y.