TIMARU HARBOUR BOARD.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 11946, 22 December 1902, Page 3

TIMARU HARBOUR BOARD.

_^_—-• Tbe monthly meeting of the TnsKnt HfcTbour Board was held on. Saturday (earlier than tisual on account of the owning holidays), all the membsis being pveser.c. The chairman welcomed Mr Manchester back to the Board after ;vu absence '.through indisposition. He was sure Mr Manchester had the sympathy of all the members in his sickness. CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT.

Tfce chairman stated that the receipts for 'three weeks were ships' dfcis £256 13s Id, wharfage £Bl9 13s Bd. dt&entures sold £3OOO. Since last meeting they had had a visit from the Earl of Stanfurly, who *ras met and with some imembers of ili» •Board made a cursory visit round the ; harbour and inspected tire, ."aew mole. Afterwards the members entertained his lordship. He had not time that day io go as far as the quarry, but- stated that on a future occasion he vrotild be very pleased to go out and meet 'a. few townspeople and members of the Board, ane? mates a sort of official visit- 'to the quarry. While the Governor was Jrcs-e, they placed the Elsie Evans at his disposal, and ttey hoped that he would have pleasure in inking advantage of it. ' Correspondence '-would be read from the -'fcrnara Board rf u"very satisfactory ehanuirar. reijardinc the v.-o'"k of _ the dredge there. 'The ""woiHc was finished in the Meantime, and the dredge was to return *hat day. The chsirman mentioned some of the matters to come up in the correspondence. He Tiittritioned that Mr W. .J. Tennenfs official connection with the ifloard conies to a Conclusion at the end of the month. Members would be sorry to huttr that Mr Tennerto's: health naa not improved, and tisat when lie last heavd from 3iim he was very ill. \Al"i the members "would be Terv sorty to hear thfe He vas sure that he had the-mem-bers symp&thy and g»od Avisltes. but -4'e did not stijipose they could continue to proy him hrJf salarv anv longer, or -.anv other sum. The "ninrt" mutter "was -.-the strike, but that would come on later GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE. A request from James "McDonald ' for TCconsidenition of his Tequcst 'to : ibe reinstated »s flagman tois i«ad and ' " re<eeived."

Morgan, Cable ami Co., of Dunedin. -wrote Skat they could intffc 'reduce their •charges :for work >done ;on the dredge, sxcept 5a regard to carpenters' -work, in ■which there had ?been -a 'cle'rieal • error. The charges -were the -same ns these made to the Onion and sfthar -shipping' companies :and to 'other Boards.

The lOamaru Harbour 'Board -wrote on the 18£b. inst. that the 'dredge' iad cleared :a channel sufficiently 'or present needs, and it -.would talce -much more money than the Board can afford at ;pfesafct: to extend the useful work. TEhe dredge had given ;great satisfaction, ;an'd "they-had been favoured -with fine .weather'•for dredging. The dredge wocl'd return Saturday, "the crew taking -.with :them the good will and good fishes of «our seafaring ■man!"

The New Zkahirid 'Accident Insurance Company wrote stating that in accordance win the agreement come to between the several companies, 'the -premiums will in future be 25s "instead of 20s per £IOO of paid, iwith "discounts on amounts 'over £SOOO a -year; arid that the risk tdken is limited-to the statutory liability, which does not -includethe' first fortnight -after the accident happens." In the eight and :a half years that : they ";had insured the fßoard they "had (paid on'loo claims a ttJjtal of £BSO, or considerably more than rttie total of '.premiums - received. The Railway Department wrote re title tto land to be given to "the Board at the "foot of the harbour, -explaining that there -was delay, --arid a Bill might be noecessary, but in .tHc'iiceantinie the Board, might go on-with the'reclamation of the land. ;.

H&T Pavitt, Greymonih, offered- some silver-pine sleepers —None wanted at present. Mr W. Black, a 'offered to lease the unused land : in the quarry for grazing. PATITI point: LIGHT. JA. letter Cfrom the NMarine Department stated that She letter of- Captain Cut'le. of the s.s. Surrey, -rlbout the need for a "better light at Tisaa-ru, was rec.ei.-oig inrtention. The chairman said . t&is: matter had been receiving attention for -j£ long time. They •had heard .'from the .Hon. Mr Hail-J. '.'s 1 that they -.were to get a light that had been -used at Soames Island. If lint was 'so jt was >very only a second-class light, and Timaru -required a first-nlass light. The Harbour had contributed in the last 'five-years £2700 in light dues, and 5n tfhe .'future she dues-.would be still more, so that they were entitled-, to a first-class light. He suggested that the secretary should write :and tell the so; and this was agreed to. Mr Manchester suggested that the letter should also -.mention that they had heard 1 unofficially that a second-b&nd light was to be -sent, and they wanted, an up-to-date -one.

Mr Young pointed out that the light dues -were not for the benefit of the ports where they were colleated, buffor all the lights around the coast.

Mr Turnbull referred to the -official report -of the Department, and that the Department pays for the gae and salary at ISapier, and also £7B a yesr'for Godley Heaid, which is a 'light for the entrance of Lyitelton as well as a coast light. - DIRECT MPORTATI-ONS. A long letter was read from Mr W. J. Kent, manager for Messrs J. "Ballantyne and Co., on the difficulties experienced by importers in getting shipments from Home by steamer, promptly delivered in Timaru. He observed on the date of the letter (December 9th) some cargo for Timaru being landed direct from the s.s. Waimate, though marked vja Tyttelton. 'lf the

liners accept cargo for either port, the Board should look alter its own interests and save the importers' interests at the same time. At present none of his 'firm's goods are marked direct, because speedy delivery is of the first importance. He referred to the delays -in the transhipment 6t goods by the Union Company's boats, and asked the Board to consider the desirability of making Timaru a port of call for delivery of Home cargo, as the extra rate from London to Timaru is much in excess of London to Lyttelton, and the Board should consider rßhe necessity erf protecting the port from undue competition by Lyttelton. The rates from London to Timaru, including transhipment, vary from between 20s to 25s per ton above Lyttelton rates. As an instance, they had lately paid 70s -per "ton by the Waikato, and this for a cargo boat seemed , pretty stiff. The way to meet the difficulty was by making Timaru a, port for delivery as well as for collecting cargo. He mentioned that while they had to pay 70s per ton, London to Timaru, on English goods, they had a through bill of lading Hamburg to Timaru, via London, at 455. The rates London to Lyttelton are 20s to 25s lower than to Timam. and the goods can be railed in ten-ton lots Irom Lyttelton to Timaru for 16s j per ton, and the landing charges at Ti- i maru are, avoided. They had even been requested to Custom, their goods at Christchurch, • and with 4s 7d per ton railage ■ from Lyttelton, then 18s per ton to Timaru, the cost would be less than the direct charge. Purther reference was then made to the Union Company's service. Transhipments rarely come from Wellington direct, but are, carried south to Port Chalmers and are then reshipped to Timaru. Mr Kent gave a late case of a parcel that was carried from Wellington to Port Chalmers, put out there, reshipped to Grreymouth, to Wellington, and then down to Timaru. The letter concluded that the firm have many complaints against I the liners for freight, but it is a mere shadow compared to the annoyance of the conduct of the Union Company, and if the Board can make arrangements for Home steamers to discharge cargo direct from London to Timaru they will be pleased to give all the support they can to the movement. A letter was read, from Mr J. P. Newman, manager of the Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative Association, covering one from Mr W. Lake, which would speak for itself. Mr Lake is agent at Christcburch for Cooper's sheep-dip. He wrote to Mr Newman that he was landing 300 cases of dip at Timaru instead of Lyttelton, for the Association, simply by a chance arrangement. Messrs Cooper, at his ipstance, had repeatedly tried both direct lines' London office for freights through to Timaru, and had always received the reply that steamers' movements iifter they reach the first port in New Zealand can only be. directed here. He had been importing dip for Timaru for many years, and though he was always on the lookbut, this was only the second time he

had got it carried to Tiinani. This time it came direct, but the first time it was carried half round the colony first. He bad advised Messrs Oioper to see Mr Inglis re future direct ft eights. The chairman stud these Icitcrs disclosed •a very unsatisfactory state of tilings, and lie did not see why the importers hue should not get their goods direct, but he thought the matter rested to a great extent with the importers themselves, while the Board would be glad to assist tliem in every possible way. Mr Turabnll said it was a matter wf £ s. d. with the shipping companies. Ships come to the colony every fortnight with 50 or <lO tons for Timaru, but. it would cost, £4O or £SO to bring them, here. Tlje only way lie could see was '«i give tbom a free jiort ft.r inward cargo from porrs outside of Australasia, and if loading yargo make them pay ordinary dues.

The c3iainnan suggested tfca'. if a certain nrimber of steamers arranged to call regularly, the imiiorters should arrange to get tIA-ir goods by those st-ramers. He thought the matter only wanted mentioning to tho directors of the shipyeng companies to bring about, some reform. Mr Turnbull said the objection to that was .{hat people wanted their stuff as soon as \t reached the colony-, while if it renu.Hned in the steamers it might be a rei.nth before it got here. Mr Young thought it trould mend roat■Krs if the importers agreed nmong ilicmveives to make collectrv* shipments, s-o as to give a steamer a good quantity of for this port. If a direct steamer lias not a fair amount of 'cargo it would not pay it to come here.

Mr Macintosh sua \hc question oi differential railway rates also catne in bete. There was such a difference that the bulk of the staff must be landed at Lytte'.ton. If it were not for that ti-.trt wonld be less railing from Lvatelton. Mr Turnbull said the steamers charge 20s per ton extra to Timaru, r.nd the railway only 15s. Mr Macintosh understood that "the "Onion Company ramies 'lucal cargo at 10s where they charge 20s aor transhipments. If the Board did not look out tbey would find themselves m tlie "same position as 'O,-truarn, with no trade left.

Mr Young suggested a meeting with the importers and the representatives of "the shipping companies. The secretary said that "Mr Kent told him that special inducements "were -offered his firm to land goods at Lyttelton, for one thing be Aid not pay harbour dues. Tlie Christ-church Chamber of Commerce the other day dealt with the -matter, and in a -way that indirectly .affected this Board. It Tvas evident tbat the Chamber -was prepared to pnt as much impediment as -possible in the way of cargo coming to Timaru.

It was resolved, on the motion of Messrs Young and' Turnbull—"That this "Board, act as a committee of -the whole to meet importers send representatives of the ship-. ping companies, to endeavour "to arrange: for direct ■steamers to Tnnaru at the sauiei rates of freight as to L-yttelton."—Carried: unanimously.

Mr Macintosh thouglit they -Should also do something with regard to the differenti;d rating on the railways. By bringing pressure to bear upon their member they should be dble to do something. Mr Turribull said the. were -nm on commercial lines.

Mr Macintosh :It is.-not commercial Tines to run goods-one way so much cheaper than the otSrer. The trucks have to run 3>ack empty. -Efe moved, Mr Fraser "seconded, and it was carried, that the same committee should consider tliie -matter and rreport to next -meeting. * HARBOURMASTER. The Harbourmaster'reported tins.arrival of 15 steam and 5 sailing -vessels during the month of November, aggregating 12.815 tons. The -weather had been squally, -with .smooth -asas. STANDING COMMITTEE. The Standing Committee made -the following report and recommendations:— " Leasing af 15-Acre Ulock at Quarry.— The Cammlttree recommend that as" Mr King and Mr, Black are the adjoining pro-perty-owners, '-both be given the opportunity of tendering for die right to graze cattle.

"Return of Deposit to National Mortgage and Agency Company.—As the contract is not wholly executed, rl;c Committee cannot -recommend the return cf deposit. " Wharf IRepairs.—The contractor for the timber baring applied for aa extension of a -month, the Committee recommend that the action of the chairman in granting the same be endorsed.

" Dnsdge "Repairs.—Messis Morgan and Cable ha-ving declined to make any allowance on charges, the Committee recommend that on the next -occasion repairs be executed elsewhere. " Transfer from trener.il Acroimt.—The Committee recommend that £ISOO be transferred to Eastern Extension Account.

" Accident Insurance.—ln the past, and up to the 31st inst. the employees have been and will "be covered from the moment of accident, but all the local companies having refused to cover the first fortnight —a concession which the Board have give:), though not legally necessary —the Committee recommend the acceptance of the New Zealand Accident Company's offer. The action of the companies means that it will be neewsary for the Board to pay an increased premium, acd the employees will lose the benefit of the first fortnight's cover.

" Strike at the Quarry: Your Committee regret to have to report that on the iSth inst. some 73 men on the -works at the quarry went out on strike, in consequence of the discharge of one of their number. A special meeting of the Committee was called for the following day, a deputation, representing the men waiting on the Committee. After due deliberation it was unanimously resolved to discontinue work on the quarries and on the cranes, until further notice. Work on the staging, north mole tramwey, and at the engineering department is proceeding, while advantage is being taken of the suspension of haulage work to attend to necessary repairs to the permanent way, etc." On the paragraph about insurance, the chairman said the Board was entirely in the hands of the companies, as they had all agreed to a tariff—Mr Manchester mentioned that the time limit of a fortnight had been altered to a week, but the secretary said that does not come into force till next April. He supposed the companies will pay on the week basis when the amendment comes into force, as they ■are to relieve the Board of all. liability.

Regarding the strike, the chairman said he thought the previous investigation, should have been in committee, as when the public get hold of such a business they stretch and exaggerate it. He did not" care himself, but thought it would have saved a lot of trouble. He thought now there would be no difficulty in getting over the trouble. There had been some misunderstanding and some misstatements, and the letters that had appeared in the papers had helped to annoy and worry the men. and keep back the thing from a just arrangement. He suggested that this matter be dealt with in committee, and afterwards they could see the men. Mr Eraser said the matter now before the Board was to approve or disapprove of the action of the Committee last Satur- | day. and he moved that the action of the Committee on that occasion be approved.

Mr Manchester asked what was that action, as there was no report upon it._ The secretary said the report was that work be discontinued on the quarries and the cranes till further notice.

The chairman said tfie thing was considered in committee, and it was decided that because there was some work to be done to the cranes, and the men were at that time—well, not in a state to make any reasonable arrangement, it was thought better to allow the matter to stand over for a week at all events, or perhaps for a fortnight. Now that the cranes a:e finished, if the men come and say they arc willing to go on acnin. he felt sure the Board would be willing to take them on .again. If they did not, it was :'or the Board to say whether the same men should be taken on in the future. The matter should be discussed in - committee, as the less said about it the better. His own opinion was that the men had only to he spoken to in a proper manner and they would agree to any reasonable arrangement, from what he had heard from two or three of them. There had been a lot <>f agitation going on in the papers, and their minds were disturbed. He hoped and trusted there would be no more of this sort of thing. But there was no doubt of this, that if they did not support their I officers the sooner they gave up their seats the better. But as managers for the ratepayers, they must at the same time try to deal out even-handed justice all round.

Mr Fraser's motion, seconded by Mr Goodwin, "That the action of tiw'Com-

mittee re suspension of vcjk be emjusid," was put ami carried. EXCJIXEEIfS REI'OKT. The Engineer"* report was ihen read. It. stated that the staging is now constructed <uit t<> a distance r.f 1675 ft. l*«rin;; the last week the carpenters a:i"d iippus have been straightcni!.:; t!;e l.iihv.-.y Hms on the staging and replacing some old rails with new ones. Rubble lias hiea tipped to 1525 ft. and shows at low ti.'es to 1-300:1. The tot:d quantity of stone in the rno?c is 150.6 1 9 tons. " In 9.J working days preceding the 15th inst.. 5501 tons were brought down, an average of 575 tons per day, the. highest average yet reached on the work. This showed that cveiv effort had been made to push on the woik as quickly as possible. The cranes being idle owing to the strike in the quarry. the opportunity had been taken l-< put them in good working order. The 5-ton crane which broke down on tlie'llih int. throuuh the main shaft breaking. had been repaired. Xo blame c-.uld be attributed to .limine, as the bm.kdown was caused by a ntivr in the metal of the shaft. E<,ur tunnels and ctoss drives were ready for firing, and tliis should loosen 40.000 t<ns of stone. The sir.ippinjj is well advanced, there being over 60.000 tons of stose strirped. and it v \\\ n „, necessary to put «:, any s-.rn>p?is for the next three month*, as the men in the lap it. the sliifis in the middle of Jhc day will be ab!c to keep the stripping suflicrently advanced. The tramline connection with the north mole is now being ■pushed on. The work of the dredges was also reported mi.

-Mr rumbull remarked that the report siioiild not have said that the crane* were idle ~wing to the strike in the quarry. It was owing to the suspc-sion r,I work Hie Hoard r-.-.uld have got, men U> go on with the work. At the same lime it would noL have been cond' for cither party to ail in a hurry about it. " THK STRIKE. Tlie Board then went into committee to deal with the dispute with tire <iur,Trv 'men. *

"Mr T. Leaning, the ganger tjf tlie 5-ton crane, who was discharged on Friday week, was' called in and nßenH Jhc following document to sign, and was sriven ten minutes and an opportunity to consult his friends before deciding finally " Dear JJirs—After consideration. 1 regm that I should have used the language attributed to me by the Engineer, and borne out by the chairman, with regard So the breakdown of the 5-ton crone. ar,d -suggesting to the Engineer by wrry of ,jj c ,*". tir>i>. how the men should be* wnplnvfd when similar breakdowns occur in "the future. I was. no doubt, excited at the time of the interview." and if I did use (he language imputed to rue. I hope that under the circumstances for (he sake of all concerned, you will look it over. lam prepared in future to attend to any instructions given me by whatever officer may be m charge cf the quarry works, and also agree to abide by any rules hid down by the Harbour Hoard, or its officers, in carrying on the works." He refused to sign it. as soon as he bad read it, as it contained an admission that he had used words which he denied having used. When he retired. Messrs Prascr and Pnngle moyed and it was carried—" That in consequence of Mr Lccmrag declining to sign an apology for his expressions he be not reinstated."

The deputation which waited on the Board on the previous .Saturdar "had anoibcr interview with (he Board, with rapird to Leeming's ca.«e, but the Board declined to reopen it.

Mr Iteming was called in again, and again said he could rot sign the document put in. his hands. The men then reti:ed and f3te Ro.-ird considered the matter further in committee and then resumed in open Board to paw the resolutions arrived at. One of ihe«e is given above, and it was n'so Ttwolvcd (hat the advertisement for mn:e men drawn up Tiy the secretary be approved and inserted in both papers. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £8578. including £6489 for interest on loans, were passed for payment, and the Beard rose at 1.15 p:m.