HARBOUR BOARD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7415, 29 May 1902, Page 3

HARBOUR BOARD.

—■ ■' ♦ ;■ ■-. The Lyttelton Harbour Board met in its offices at Christchurch this afternoon ; present—Messrs E. G. Wright (chairman), J. Rennie, W. Dunlop, J. Hay, I. Gibbs, A. Kaye, J, Connal, F. Grahajn, D. Buddo. G. Laurenson and Captain M'Clatcbi?. Mr J. Grubb took this seat for tbe first time, and was welcomed by the Chuirman. Apologies were received for the absence of Mes-STB R. Pitcaithly and F. Waymcuth. The Chairman stated that the. dredige continued to do satisfaotorv work, having lifted 61,000 tons /of stuff 'during the present month. A letter was received from the Town Clerk at Lyttelton announcing that Mr J. Grubb had been elected Mayor of that borough. **• It was decided to appoint Mr J, Toomev boatman at Lyttelton, in place of Mr W. Mann, resigned. . Mr J. Clark was appointed look-out man at the Heads in place of Mr Toomey. The Harbourmaster and Inspector Dcrbridge reported in regardi to staking the estuary, and a- letter was read from Mr H. R. Walker, offering to do the work foi £70. It was also reported that additional mooring piles were required at the Cave Rock Jetty, Sumner, and 4. letter was read from the Drainage Board in regard to weeds floating down into tho estuary. Mr Walker, in his letter, stated that he would stake the estuary from New Brighton to Sumner, in order to facilitate navigation. He suggie»tedi that the Board should provide 100 stakes, and supply an engine, frame, etc. Ths work would take about two months. He also suggested that «xtrt> piles should be driven in at the end of the pier, so that passengers might be landed in any weather. He complained of the Drainage Board allowing weeds cut in the upper part of the Avon to float down. Though the Drainage Board had acknowledged its responsibility. tj^U'Wisance continued. He intended to clear away obstruction® iw tha Avon at his own A expense. He 'asked that 'he. should have power to see that, the pier at New Brighton was not damaged. The Inspector reported that- £70 w"ould be a fair price for the work. The Chairman stated that at one time the river had been properly staked, but tlie stakes kid disappeared. He thought , that the proposal was a reasonable on*, as it was in the interests of the public. Mr Walker's offer Was aocepted. The Inspector was. requested to undertake | the improvement of the jetty at Sumner, at a cost of £85 13? Bd, as soon us possible. In regard to the control of the pier at New Brighton, it was stated that control could rot be given up t» any individual. A letter was read from the Drainage Board, stating that creeks ran down into the Avon, and these caused the weed 3to be taken down the river. Every care would be; taken to avoid further trouble in that respect. The Harbourmaster reported favourably on Mr H. 11. Walker's application to construct- a cradle in the /mouth of the old river-bed at New Brighton-, for slipping his oil launch. The application was granted. Inspector Derbridge reported on the completion of the low level breastwork. He estimated that the cost of erecting a larger room for the Harbour Board's night-watch-man would be £38 6s. The cost of two fenders to be used by vessels arriving from plague-infected ports would be £39 6s. The Chairman and Messrs Laurensonand Grubb were authorised to deal with the night-watchman's room. The Chairman stated that the room would be at their gate, r.3 it wore, andi "a presentable building should be erected. Tbe Superintendent of the Sailors' Home reported that the Home and the Seamen's Rest required' renovating. The report was •referred to the Sailors' Home Committee, to which Mr Grubb was added., The Inspector also submitted an estimate for a shed at the eastern end of No. 5 shed for the storage of hawsers, and it was decided ! that this work should be done. A motion M-as carried that the fenders for vessels from plague-infested ports should be I hii l ed at the same rate as ordinary fenders, j * j