TIMARU HARBOUR BOARD.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 12027, 28 March 1903, Page 4

TIMARU HARBOUR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Timaru Harbour Board was held yesterday. Present : Messrs W. Evans (chairman),*J. Fraser, T. D. Young, J. M. Goodwin, D. C. Turnbull, R. Thew, J. Manchester, and 6. Lyall. Mr Pringle sent an apology. CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT.

Mr Evans stated that the receipts for the month were:—Ships' dues £863 lis Id, wharfage £839 9s lOd, debentures sold ! £2OO. Intimation had been received of the election of Mr Manchester and Mr Lyall. These were the first members of the new Board, and he wished them every success in the future. He might mention that he had been inclined to retire this year, but a 1 deputation of his friends and business peoi pie of Timaru waited on him and asked him to reconsider his decision. This he did, and he decided to contest the election.—His Excellency Lord Ranfuriy paid another visit during the -month, "and visited the quarry. He had a general look round, and appeared to be pleased and satisfied with what he saw. They had also had a visit from Vice-Admiral Fanshawe. Having, unfortunately, another engagement he was unable to meet the Admiral, who only remained a few minutes. On returning on Sunday (of which he—Mr Evans—was not aware), the Admiral stayed longer, and the stationmaster, Mr Marcus, showed him round. He went out on the extension, and was pleased with it. He expressed surprise that the north mole had not been carried out from Dashing Rocks, instead of enclosing such a small space. Mr Marcus said that might be done yet. The Admiral said he was verv pleased that he had seen the harbour for himself. A letter had been received from the secretary to Admiral Fanshawe, thanking the Board for copies of the Harbour Board's report, plans and photographs, etc. " His Excellency was foitunately able to see the harbour on his way back from Dunedin on Sunday, and he wished to say that he was much impressed by the enterprise exhibited by the Board in creating this harbour where apparently ships of considerable tonnage can now lie in safety." Continuing, the chairman said a pietty heavv sea was running on the Sunday, and Admiral Fanshawe remarked how smooth it was inside compared with the surf running outside. At last meeting the Board agreed to accept a Dunedin tender for foundry, work. The small crane in the quarry broke- down and some repairs were required. It was found that to have the work done at Dunedin would take a fortnight, whilst it couid be done in Timaru in a few hours. He had therefore seen the local tenderers and they agreed to make some concession on their tenders till this meeting. It would be better to pay a little more' to a Timaru tenderer than to lose more by delays. It would be necessary to call for tenders again. Whilst in Wellington the other day he saw the Hon. W. Hall-Jones and had a long conversation with him about the light on Jack's Point.. Mr Hall-Jones assured him that nothing more could be done for Timaru. There were so many requiring lights more than Timaru. • Hecould give them the old Somes Island light,, and it was that or nothing; so he said they must accept it, at all eVents in .the meantime. " j

A RETROSPECT. The chairman said that this was the last meeting of the Board and without going into any effusions at all. he thought the Board might congratulate themselves on having had a veiy successful year. The port seemed to give satisfaction to the captain's of all vessels coming here. The new extension was going on still. There had been no very severe storms during the year, but there "had been one or two ordinary storms, and these had made no impression on the extension. On the whole he thought they could congratulate themselves that the port was getting to be an up-to-date port. The chairman then referred to the resolutions and remarks of the Geraldine and Levels Countv Councils, against any increase of the rates. He considered it wiong that any public body should advise the ratepavers to oppose anything of the kind. Such remarks weie entirely uncalled for. and he took it upon, himself to reply to them through the newspapers. Mr Manchester said he did not think the Board had any rijrht to criticise any other public body.—(The chairman: But they criticised us.)— They had a right to do so. and this Board had no right to wrangle with any public body. (Mr Evans: We are here to do our duty.] But it is not part of our duty to criticise other public bodies.

The chairman: -E you have beeni hostile to the port all akmg.—(Mr Manchester : That is not cori>est; there is nojustification for- it.)— Some people talked a&out not spending money,, yet the same people were putting the- Board to quite unnecessary expense in. paying crossingkespers, and the Levels County Council" did not economise much on Harbour Board elections, their bill for last; election being £45 12s, while the Timaru" Borough election only cost £2O 3s 6d. CORRESPONDENCE. Mr F. J. Rolleston thanked the Board for resolution of sympathy witS> his mother and family. Mr Gf. Renner. Kaikoura, inquired whether the Board has a boring apparatus for «ale or for hire.—lnformation, sent. The Marine Department wrote «m March 10th, acknowledging receipt of a letter stating tfiat the Board would agree to the erection of the old Somes Island light at Jack's Point, provided its erection is proceeded with without delay. Plans and specifications for its erection, on a tower 20ft high, will be prepared at once. It was suggested that if the present light at Timaru is red it will not be necessary to make the ligkt at Jack's Point a revolving one, as a fixed white light would then be quite distinctive, and would probably be better seen at sea than if occulting. As lights are required upon many parts of the coast where the dangers are greater, and where more shipping passes than at Jack's Pointy a third order light cannot be at present supplied for that place. In reply to an inquiry, the Department telegraphed that the old Somes Island is a fifth order light. A petition signed by 74 men asked the Board to allow a Half-holiday on Saturdays at the quarry, the half-day to be made np by starting at T. 45 a.m. and 12.30 p.m.—The Engineer reported on this that he saw no objection, provided the men were agreeable to work on a Saturday (afternoon if required. Fourteen fishermen and boatmen petitioned the Board to provide accommodation ;for drawing up their boats for repairs, etc., ;and also for drying nefe If this was •' done they were prepared' to pay an annual •license fee.

The Geraldine County Council forwarded a resolution passed by tliem—"That this Council considers- the present rate of id iu the £ quite'sufficient."—The chairman proposed that the letter be " received." If anyone wanted to give' the Board information, let them>: come; on the Board ar.d give it with authority.—Letter "received."

The solicitors advised that on the information before them it was useless to prosecute Mr Orton for trespass on Caroline Ray; but he could be sued civilly for damages for trespass. —It- was resolved by 5 to 3 that a civil action" be taken as suggested. Also that Mr James Strachan be appointed to warn off trespassers from Caroline Bay. - . Letters from the Agent-General "(London), Merchant Service Guild' (Liverpool), the Admiraltv Agent for Charts (London), Lloyd's Register Office (London), the Premier, the Minister of Public Works, and the General Assembly Librarian, thanked the Board for forwarding photographs and plans of the harbour.-Mr Turnbull thought they were spending too much money on photographs, but the chairman and Messrs Fraser and Th'ew said they were very cheap and valuable advertisements of the port. HARBOURMASTER'. Captain Clarkson, reported the arrival of 22 steam and 2 sailing vessels, aggregating 29,940 tons, during February. The weather during March had been fine with smooth, seas until -the 22nd; when a heavy southeast sea set in, which, however;, only lasted till the 23rd. He asked for 6'ooils 6-Inch, 6 coils 3J-inch, 6 coils 3-inch,. 1 coil 24inch, 2 coils li-inch, manilla, slightly oiled, 1 coil plaited hemp for signal halyards, and 1 coil spun yarn,. and 3 coils 2-inch manilla, slightly oiled.',,. Mr Turnbull said there were several coils of big hawsers in store, and probably some of these were not now required and could be sold. —It was agreed to ask the Harbourmaster to report what hawsers are not required, and that the ropes asked for be obtained. v_ STANDING. COMMITTEE.

The Standing Committee reported as follows : " Foundry Tenders;— Your committee recommend that the action of the l chairman in arranging temporarily with the local works bo endorsed ; that the ■ previous resolution, be rescinded): and that fresh tenders be called locally- only. "Caroline Bay to Borough'- Council.— Your committee recommend the applicatin of the Council to your favourable l consideration. " Dredging Channel at the Outside of the Entrance.—Your committee have considered the report of the Engineer and Haiburmaster, but do not feel justified in departing from their recommendation of last raontht and now recommend that the- work be carried out accordingly. "Grading; Port.—Your committee have made extensive enquiries in connection with this matter; and do not see any reason why this port should not be made an official grading port, and they recommend that application be made to- the- Agricultural Department forthwith. "Petition from Fishermen and Boatmen for More Accommodation, committee recommend that this application be deferred until after the election of the new Board.

"Leasing Hayes Street Sections.—Your committee recommend that sections No. 3 and\No. 6 be advertised for 21 years' lease by tender, at an upset rental of ICs per foot frontage, as per usual conditions. " Light on Jack's Point.—AV it seems impossible to get'a better light (3rd order) than the one lately removed from Somes Island |sth order), your committee recommend that the offer'of-the Marine Depar:ment be accepted. " Contract for Wharf Repairs.—As Mr Sharp has been granted two extensions, your committee recommend'that the penalry c-1.-mse be put hnforce, as from March 25th". 1903.

" Application by Employees- on Eastern Extension for Saturday HalHrofiday.—The Engineer having ■ reported favourably, your committee recommend that tiie application be granted."" The report ivas dealt wrrli: seriatim. In regard to foundry work it was resolved that the resolution accepting-the tender of Methven and Co. be rescinded, and fresh tenders be called locally- only. Re Caroline Bay. a loßg discussion took place, reported below. The- Engineer and Harbourmaster reported adversely to the proposal to dredge a '" channel," but the committee's recommendation was adopted, with tire explanation that it would only mean: a> fortnight's experiment, and there was one- shallower p:ace that needed deepening: It was resolved by 5 to 3 that the report abovementioned be not published. The recommendation re Mr Sharp's contract wub held over-,, and that regarding Hayes street sections.- was- apycoved, -with the addition that Ncj.. 3 be failed in ai a cost not exceeding £SO, and the remainder were adapted. CAROLINE BAY.

The: Timaru Borough Council forwarded •i. _ pi-ojfiusjsl for a tenure- of Caroline Isay v.-itli, s view to its. improvement as a. place <•£ pssblic result ; the Council to have full i-ontjol, subject «> j£e.. rjgkt of the Board to resume any part of it for harbour woiks;. the Council in sack case to have the right to reeaove all buildings and improvements; tie- Council to spend £3OOO within two years in improving the Bav. The Board's solicitous advised that'tha Board has pwwer to accede to the Council's request. It be reasonable to provide thai unless aay sum fixed"is expended in a, limited time the agreemei t should be tetmhuited. The Board has power to cjjflfist in the work of improvement if it desires to do so. * Clause 5 in 'the Beclairni|on Act of 1894 was inserted for :hc express purpose of enabling the Board •<) give; effect to any such proposal as this, but power of resumption for the main pulpites of th» Board should be retained. If the proposed arrangement is approved by ;hs Board it will be necessary to obtain the sanction of' the Government to it.

A discussion took place the meaning 'o be attached to the condition giving a ■lower of lesumption. the chairman and the majority of the members saying that it ■ne-int power to resume for any purposes whatsoever. Mr Manchester expressed a doubi about this : and he was averse to giving an indefkite lease. The chainmn sooke in favour of assisting the Borough Council bv giving them a tenure on which •her could ;>sk the public to provide money i<> improve the Bav. for the benefit of the ■v'b if. and he see no objection, when [ho Council said thev .were preparedto give *'. biclc. "wlieueye- th* Bowl waited ifc'fT ".'.v.- punvise. The Board did n"-twant il- - and ware not likely to innf •*! • hut 'hev mi'H not affoid to spsud £3dCO or it I l'om«elves. - " Mr T'irnh'iU thought *be Cc'-"il wo-' 1 - 1 l '« better off with the 26 ye:"V leise i;-s!-offered lliem: as that .would, b? a Ion? « f "-m. ni'A +h"r could nWim :f dispossessed during the term. " He sog-

jgested thaS ans»unfc to Be: spent ought Jto be reducad.- - The chairman suggested that a couple of lacres should be- reserved, at onee, next the f north mole- where they were now going to work, but some other members' saw no necessity for a reservation, as they were to have-power to iresume any portion at any time. .- , ~

Mi' Goodwin did not see--why the Council should have a lease, of-the whole of the Bay endowment; they only needed to have the portion where they p_ut their improvements. Finally, it was "moved by the chairman, seconded by Mr Fraser,. and carried — "That the application of tha Timaru Borough Council with reference to Caroline Bay be granted, subject to- the conditions contained in- their resolution of March 9th, 1903, and subject also to the eonsent of the Governor-in-Council. and to- such conditions and provisions as the Board's solicitor may consider necessary for the protection of the Board and the. Council." (The area referred to is defined in the resolution by reference to- deeds? in the Board's possession, which show that itcomprises the land between the. railway and sea from the foot of the. north mole to Waimataitai lagoon, the= beach, from there to the north end of Dashing. Rocks, and the sea within a line from-the latter point to the elbow in the north, mole.) ENGINEER'S REPORT. Mr A. E. Austin reported-for the month as follows : " Eastern Extension. —No work has been done in extending the staging: during, the month, but the structure has been examined and all loose bolts serewed up., and the railway lines straightened in. placeswhere required. The - bulk of the stone deposited this month has been placed under water around the piles, in order tt>; protect them from the heavy seas ; for this reason , stone does not snow above low-water further seaward than reported last: month, that is 1475 ft from the'.commencement of the mole. The heavy seas experienced this month have had but little ■• effect on the mole, merely causing a slight subsidence at the end, which is to be expected, and'also slightly flattening the: slope on the southern side near the shore'. " Quarry.—The output of stone; for this month, since the last meeting of the.Board, a period of 21J working days,. is- 7016 tons, making an average output of 322 tons per day. The total amount of stone brought down to date is 182,842; tons,, distributed as" follows :—Eastern extension, 175,519 tons; breakwater repairs; 2779 tons ; tramline jjrotection, 2712 tons ; Hayes street formation, 537 tons ; north mole and approach, 1295 tons. The 5-ton crane- has "been overhauled, and all the cranes- are working well. '■' North Mole. The approach to the north mole is now complete, and the work of widening and repairing- the mole with small stone has been commenced. " Surfboats.—Three of the old. surfboats used for% coaling the dredges have been cleaned, tarred and repaired, where necessary. All five boats are now in good order.

" Wharf Repairs.—The carpenters have been engaged in talcing out all rotten kauri braces and replacing them with two bark braces to each set Of piles. The contractor for the supply and delivery of the timber for this work has not yet completed his contract. His time, which, has already been twice extended by the Board, expired on the 20th inst. In view of this I would not recommend tha Board to grant a further extension. Tlie timber yet to arrive is principally planking, of which verv iittle has been received.

" Tramline.^—As directed by the Board, the drain pipes along the tramline in Otipua road have been laid. These were required by the Levels County Council to drain the water tables, and tiie work has been done to their satisfaction.

" Slipway.—The slipway requires soma slight repairs, some of the sleepers under water being rotten, and require to be. replaced by new timber. '• Dredging.— The Timaru has dredged from inside the harbour, principally ,• near, the end of the main wharf, 6700 tons of silt and shingle, and 2000 tons of silt, and mud from outside the entrance on the shipscourse, making a total of 8700 tons. Slia was stopped 24 hours for repairs aad. 8; hours in changing gear from, pump: to grab buckets. Both the cranes are. now working with the grab buckets.-: .which, arefound to do better work than the suction pump in dredging mud, and in all probability they will do better work in the.- fine sand outside the entrance, but; owing torough seas lately we have not. yet been able to try them. The Taiiiwha has dredged 2470 tons of silt, sand, and clay from between the main and Moodv wharves, and the end of the Moody wharf. The ; system of dredging with the two dredges inside the harbour is being carried..out with, a view of obtaining a universal depth of 22 feet- of water at low spring tides over the ships' course in the harbour and around the swinging buoys. Although.! the; average depth is about 22 feet inside that part of the harbour utilised for shipping,, there are many places where it is-;consider-ably less." ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £1705 • I4a- 3tT were passed for payment, and the>Bo-<u.i rose at 1 p.m.