HARBOUR BOARD.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 26 June 1926, Page 8

HARBOUR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The montidy meeting of the Tiinaru Harbour Board was held yesterday. Present —Messrs W. Hayman (chairman), T. B. Garrick, H. B. S. Johnstone, J. Kennedy, AY. Ritchie, G. J. I AVallaee, J. AlcCort, E. It. Isaac, AA r . ! H. Orbed, G. T. Dawson, A. E. Camp- ] bell, E. It. Elatmun, and A. R. Guild. CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT. | Tho chairman said that from the , last mooting a credit balance of £7577 4s 5d was carried forward. Receipts during the month amounted to £6294 12s 6d, and expenditure £2741 7s 2d, leaving a credit balance of £BI6O 9s 9d, compared to £4927 2s 5d for tho corresponding period last year. ! CORRESPONDENCE. ! The Timaru Defence Rifle Club wrote in reference to the enroaehment of the sea upon their rifle range at Scarborough, stating that they proposed to erect protective works at an estimated cost of £IOO. To raise tho peeessary funds the club was making a direct appeal for financial assistance. Mr Ritchie .said that if it was possible lie would like tc see something done. The rifle c:ubs were excellent 1 organisations, and ho considered they should bo encouraged as much as possible. On the motion of Mr Rit.chie,,it was resolved that a donation of £5 be made. Correspondence was received from the British Imperial Oil Co. asking for permission to discharge bulk fuel, not of a; highly inflammable nature, ex the Anamba at Timaru. The company wished to be in the position whereby it would be possible for it to execute orders for clients for that product, by discharging bulk supplies at Timaru into consumers' containers on' the wharf, delivery being made from the vessel by hose. Tho idea was that consumers would rail their own receptacles to Timaru to be filled l as outlined above. The barrels would be weighed, both full and empty, before being returned to clients. In reply to an inquiry regarding the above request, tbe secretary of the Napier Harbour Board stated that his Board bad permitted the pumping of : bulk liquid fuel from steamers direct I into tanks on the wharves, and the transfer of fuel by means of small hoses into barrels.

j On tbe motion of Mr Wallace, it was resolved that temporary permission be given to unload the vessel by the method suggested, arrangements to be left in the bands of the engineer. The district engineer, Railway Department, Dunedin, stated that the question of siding access to the British Imperial Oil Co.’s stores bad yet to be considered by the Divisional Superintendent. Later correspondence was received from the Divisional Superintendent (Mr Kent) approving of the siding. The chairman said that it had been decided at the previous meeting to collect the harbour rate in two sums, so as to accommodate the local bodies concerned, half to be collected in December and the remainder in'March. It was just possible that some interest on an ovevddaft might eventuate for a few months as a result. It was a question, as to whether the Board was prepared to pay that interest if necessary. Air Ritchie said that whenever tho Board overdraw their account it was only for a very short period, whereas on tho other hand the Bank had the advantage of large credit balances for many months. The Board was on a different footing to individuals, and he 'considered something should be attempted in that direction. It was decided that the chairman approach tho Bank on the question. It was resolved that the rates be collected in two payments. In response to Air AA r allaco, tbe secretary said that the Timaru Borough assessment would be made on the present year’s valuation.

Air AA r allaoo said that the borough valuation had jumped up to about £377,000.. Tim Borough Council was experiencing trouble in rating on the new valuation. AL; Ritchie said that the Board was striking the rate earlier so as to make it more convenient for tho local bodies concerned. H ARB OUR AIA S TER’S REPORT. The arrivals during tho month of Alay wero 29 steam vessels, with an aggregate of 46,905 tons, and departures 33 steam vessels, with an aggregate of 58,263 tons. The weather sinco last reporting has been fair from a harbour point of view. The s.s. Hororata was delayed for 12 hours, owing to strong wind and contracted swinging room on the 12th inst. Tho usual soundings have boon taken and' entered in tho Soundings Book. The tonnage of shipping entering and leaving tho port for tho six months ending 30th Juno will again exceed tho half-million mark.

RESIDENT ENGINEER’S REPORT. I beg to report that “No. 350” has been working on the north side of that purl ion of the channel in line with the concrete breakwater, and has cleaned up a length of 750 feet by 150 feet wide to 30 foot below low water, and 40,000 tons of silt and sand mis been removed from this cut. Tlio quarterly inspection of the boilers was made on the 16th and 17th instant,_ and they were found in good condition. The oilier stoppage since last report is 1} days for cooling and repairs. At No. 3 "Wharf tidal repairs were made to some of tlio walings and braces, and several bolts renewed. Some repairs were made to one of the houses at Everslcy. Tlio 71-} tons of steel rads ami fastenings ordered last November, for sidings, etc., lias’ been received in good order and stacked on the cast side of Fraser Street. All the capstans on Nos. 1,2 and 3 wharves have been ‘ overhauled. Some repairs have been made to tlio ways at No. slipway, and two 30 foot rails put in .to replace those that wore oadly worn. A qiumtilv of stone has been j milled and broken to metal for widening Fraser Street. Tim additional siding* in this street to serve the B. I. O. Coy’s, depot have been approved by the Railway .Department, and the work of putting down the rails, etc., is now in hand. Eleven floating fenders have been dressed and fitted ready for use.