Waimakariri Harbour Board.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4560, 5 December 1882, Page 3

Waimakariri Harbour Board.

The monthly meeting of this Board was held last night ; present— Messrs E. Parnham (Chairman), Moore, Day, Hurse, Smith, and Mathevra. Letters were received from Mr J. Sims, stating that he had ipent £L on olearing the silt from his wharf, but that it would take another pound to complete what was required. Mr Moore moved that tho matter be referred to the Chairman and Secretary, with power to act. Mr Smith seconded the motion, urging that some more general work in the way of clearing the north branoh was necessary. The Ohairman said that with tho pondweed increasing in tho river as it was doing, it was advisable to consider the question of utilising the dredge. The motion was carried. From Mr J. O. Hempleman, offering to leaso two sections of the river reserves on stated condition?. It was pointed out that the triangular section applied for, west of the footbridge, oould not be dealt with at present, as it had not been submitted to public tender. It was decided to refer the application to the Ohairman to arrange. Subsequently, on Mr Hempleman agreeing to the usual terms, it was decided to accept his application for the three sections to the west of tho bacon ouring establishment. Mr Day moved—" That the river be properly staked for the guidance of masters of vessels trading up the river." He pointed out that there were numerous spits forming up the river from the bar, and he aUo stated that the pilot had expressed himself willing and anxious to do the work, provided the Board would find the necesßary boat and labour. The cost would bo about £5. Mr Hurse seconded the motion, and revrral members having spoken in its favour, it was carried unanimously. Mr Le>lie, master of fcbe ketch Falcon, attended and explained the nature of the river, whioh he pointed out needed slaking, without which no one could sail up the river. He also stated that the pilot's flagstaff was a very bad colour. It was the same colour as the sand on which it stood, and was most difficult to distinguish by masters of vessels. Mr Day said that the matter had been brought under the notice of the Collector of Custom's, Mr Moore wished to know if the resolution respecting the ohange of the pilot service had been carried out. The "Chairman explained the reason why the motion had not been acted upon, and that it was net expedient that it should be carried into effect, as their member had the matter in hand. Several members spoke in favour of the postponement of the question, and a desultory conversation ensued on the question of the pilot service generally. Mr Moore moved—" That the Ohairman. Messrs Hurse and Wearing be a Works Committee, with power to have the dredge put in order, so that it could be got to work to clear the north branoh of the river." He Baid that for several months nothing had been done to improve the navigation of the river, and Captain Leslie bad just told them there was bo water is the north branch, so that the sooner they got to work tho better. If the Committee found the dredge would not work, then they would know what to do, but tbey should at any rate proceed to some trial of . They had spent some £600 or £700 on the machine, and it was worth while to try it. Mr Mathews seconded the motion pro formd, expressing the opinion that the Board should do something at last. Mr Smith said that the Board neod not run away with the impression that £150 was going to do anything towards putting the dredge in working order, as he had been informed by an expert that the appliance would not deposit the stuff as expected. Mr Moore, in reply, said that these difficulties were morely matters of detail, whioh the Committee oould arrange. Mr Hurse did not wish the Committee's hands to be tied by a limit of funds. The motion, on being put, was carried unanimously. Messrs Gallagher, May and Oo.'b lease was referred to the Chairman to have completed and sealed. It was stated that, in acoordance with the Act, Mr Parnham would necessarily resign his elective seat, as on his occupying the position of Mayor, he would be entitled to his ex ojficio seat. Mr j Carnbam said that he should thon resign his Mandaville seat, and the election of a member for the Maideville District would be held shortly after this. The Board then adjourned.