HOKITIKA HARBOUR BOARD.

West Coast Times, 15 June 1912, Page 4

HOKITIKA HARBOUR BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the Board was held last evening at 7 o’clock. Present: Messrs T. W. Duff, R. Wild, J. J. Mclntosh. Mr. Duff was voted to the chair. After the confirmation of the previous minutes the outward correspondence was approved. inward Correspondence, From Hokitika Borough Council, stating that tho price for connection with water supply was £5 to be paid half-yearly in advance.—Received. |lr. Michel took his seat at 7.25 p.in., and apologised for not attending earlier. From Marine Department, acknowledging receipt of balance sheets.—Received. From Westland Railway League, asking tho Board to, support resolution of public meeting hold recently at Kumara, with a view of urging upon the Government the desirability of constructing the Kumara branch line. Mr. Wild opposed the construction of tho line and said there were other .works in WGotland more necessary, Mr. Duff supported tho request of the League. Mr. Mclntosh said he would much rather support the extension of the lino further south, but felt (hat the Board should support the request. Tho chairman said that just prior to the last election £SOOO wao voted for the extension of the railway further south, but it had not been spent. There were a number of men brought - ' into the district at the same time, and as soon ' as the erection was over they were sent away again. Tho keystone borer was another instance where men were brought into the district for tho purpose of tho election. Mr Duff:—“Do you mean that , strangers wore brought into the district to record their votes?” The chairman;—“ Yes, they were.” Continuing Mr. Michel said he favored the request of the League. If they could get the line constructed it would be an advantage to tho district concerned.

- Ic was ultimately resolved on Hie motion of Mr Duff, seconded by Mr Mclntosh, that the Board support the request of the League in regard to the construction of the line. From Lewis and Wells, on behalf of Ihomas Staines and J. Howat, asking for -a lease of the strip of land on Gibsen’s Quay from the Boatshed up to the river.—Received. Moved by Mr Wild that the engineer be asked to peg off the ground, with access to all the streets, and that ; plications be invited for the lease of the area for a term of ten years; seconded by Mr Duff, and carried. It was resolved that the chairman and engineer deal .with the applications. ■

I:, was resolved that the Marino Department be written to in regard to amounts collected from whitebait fishers, members expressing the opinion that the fees were collectable by the Board. From Andersons, Ltd., quoting £IO6O for a 40 foot oil driven twin screw tug boat.—Received. From A. Aitkefi (Kumara) stating that he had given permission to J. Coyle to cut timber on his sections at South Hokitika, and asking the Board to supply him with the number paid for.—Received. 14th JUNE, 1912.

.. The weather and the sea during the past month have not been favourable, and work has been delayed on both contracts. As little time as possible has been lost.

Contract 3/11, North Wall Extension:—The length of the wall is now 4/0 feet, fifty feet having been driven since the 3rd May. ...Contract 4/11, New South Wall:The length of the wall is now' 150 feet, 30 feet having been driven since 3rd. May. The driving is a little easier. ...Contract 1/li, Supply of Stone;Tlie contractor has been instructed to resume this w'ork and deposit the stone without delay. Circumstances are now favourable for the carrying on: of this work. °

At the last meeting, the question of extending the North Wall to 800 feet and the South Wall to 400 feet in accci dance wdth the options provided for the present contracts, was left over to this meeting. The question should be settled as early as possible to enable the contractors to arrange for the supply of timber anti piles required, I would strongly advise the Board lo terminate the North Wall Extension at 680 feet, the distance required to drive 600 piles, and to carry the New South Wall to 400 feet, the limit of the option. With regard to the North Wall, I am of opinion, that it will not be necessary to extend it beyond the 6SO feet for some considerable time. Where the wall is terminated it should

bo protected to the distance of 100 feet from the end by extra piles, stay bolts, and stone at a cost of about £6OO. A drawing showing this extra work has been prepared, and I would ask the Board’s permission to have it done. , It is not possible to determine the exact quantity of stone, but I believe act quantity of stone, but I believe 400 to 500 tons will be necessary. The question of protecting the end of the New South Wall can bo considered when its final termination is decided upon. Received and adopted. , A discussion took place in regard to the financial position.; It! was mnetioned out that after the present contracts were terminated the Board would have about £13,000 at their disposal. Accounts amounting to £1479 were passed for payment, and the meeting terminated.