THE CHAIRMAN'S REPORT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5989, 30 September 1897, Page 3

THE CHAIRMAN'S REPORT.

The Chairman's report stated that the following sums have been paid into the Harbour fund account since last monthly meeting :— Wharfage .£1064 14s 2d, pilotage and port charges .£741 7s 8d; towage, storage, &c, .£248 12s sd; total .£2054 14s 3d. The bank book showed the current account to be in credit .£1917 3s Bd. and there was .£3205 3s 6d on fixed deposit. Accounts for payment amounting to .£992 13s 9d will be laid before the Board for payment. It would be necessary to pass a resolution authorising one of the members to take charge of the Bill to be brought before Parliament, to give power to the Harbour Board to raise .£60,000 for dredging purposes:-_ The Bill had been duly advertised, and copies of it furnished to members of the Board. The statement gave a list of reports and letters to be laid before the Board. MISCELLANEOUS. • Accounts amounting to .£992 13s 9d were passed for payment. The Harbourmaster reported that several rivet heads in the dock caisson had been chafed and corroded, and would have to be renewed. Three or four chafing plates would have to beput in. These were the first repairs of the kind during fifteen years, and the damage had been caused by the late heavy ■ seas. It was decided to have the necessary repairs executed. Inspector Derbidge reported that Messrs Boyd and Keir had completed their blackbirch contract at a cost of .£146 Is 9d. A letter was received from Mr Milne, enclosing specification for new boilers for the electric light, and the cool chambers, i approved by the Government. It was decided to call for tenders for the construction of the boilers in question. DREDGING LOAN BILL. On the motion of Mr Hay, seconded by llr M'Millan, it was decided to request the Hon J. T. Peacock, in the Upper House, and Mr E. G. Wright, in the Lower House, to take charge of the Bill to be introduced into Parliament to give power to the Board to raise .£60,000 for dredging purposes. SUMNER LIFEBOAT. The Sumner Lifeboat Committee reported that the Harbour Board's lifeboat had been taken to Sumuer on Sept. 18, and launched from the boat-slip at. the Cave Rock on Sept. 23, in the presence of the committee ; she 'was ' manned by a volunteer crew ' of six, with Pilot Day in command. The sea was rough at the I time, with a strong nor'-wester blowing, j and the occasion was a fitting one to fairly ■ judge of the . seagoing capabilities of the lifeboat.- The committee, after consultation with the harbour-master and Pilot Day, had ccne to the conclusion, looking to the fact that in cases of emergency it might be difficult to get a crew of six men quickly together to launch and man the present lifeboat, it would be better to have a rather lighter four-oared lifeboat of 25ft in length, built on similar plan and lines* to the Harbour Board lifeboat, which was built by White, of Cowes. The committee recommended that the present lifeboat be retained at Sumner until a new one is built, and for which tenders should be called for. The sumner pilot boat might then be made available at the further end of the beach' in cases of emergencies.

The Hon J. T. Peacock moved— " That I the report be adopted, and the lifeboat be procured from White of Cowes." The reason given for the motion wp*s that the mover considered that. the boat could be better built at Home than in New Zealand. The Mayor of Sumner seconded the motion. . ' Mr Dunlop moved, and Mr Pitc'aithly. seconded, an amendment to the effect that the report should be adopted and tenders for the boat be called in the colony. The amendment was carried by six votes to four. Correspondence with the Union Steamship Company and the Railway Department was read with reference to the alleged landing of cattle at Lyttelton from the s.s. Hauroto in July last in a famished state from want of Water. The Union Company explained that the cattle v.-ould not drink on board. In reply to a suggestion from the Harbour Board that the railway authorities should provide drinking accommodation for cattle, a reply had been received that the matter would be referred to the General Manager. [Left sitting.]