Page 4 Advertisements Column 5

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 49, 27 February 1901, Page 4

(Continued from inside page.) Communications were received from the Returning Officer, notifying first the declaration he had made in regard to the election, and a later letter notifying that the S.M., had revoked the election so far as the town was concerned, and stating that it was his (Mr Quigley’s) intention to proceed immediately with the steps for a new election.

Mr E. J. Chrisp wrote resigning his seat as a member of the Board. Mr Clark wanted to know who was to bear the cost of the new election. If a Returning Officer proved incompetent, should they employ him again ? Mr Siewright said, as far as he had heard,no order had been made as to costs. He supposed the Board would have to pay in the meantime ; a mistake had been made, but lie did not know they would say anyone was at fault. Mr Macfarlane said someone must be at fault.

| (Alter further discussion, as to how the trouble had occurred, it was agreed that Mr Quigley be instructed to proceed with the fresh election, whatever might he done as to future elections, Mr Hepburn saying that the lesson would make the Returning Officer very careful in the future. In regard to a letter from Mr Trounson, Kaihau sawmills, as to the totara required —for which no tenders had been sent in— Messrs Macfarlane, Hepburn, Sievwright, Tucker, and the Chairman wore appointed a committee to confer with Mr Trounson when he arrives to-day, with power to act in the matter of getting the necessary timber. Nr

A circular letter was received from the Valuer-General in regard to the cost of revising the valuation roll, and it was considered that, excessive as the amount was, there was no alternative but to pay it. Messrs Anderson and Co. wrote contending that they were proceeding with the construction of the dredge as rapidly as possible. It was resolved that the Engineer should go down to Christchurch to pass the work before the third progress payment was made. engineer’s report. The Engineer (Mr King) reported: — Agreeably with your instructions, the goods shed on the wharf has been floored with 2in planking. Kepairs to tho decking of the viaduct have from time to time been made. At a point in the channel nearly opposite the Haiti shed a quantity of rock has been loosened by blasting and dredges. The spoil was deposited at the back of the new part of the wharf. I would suggest that the wharf be completed up to the abutment of the Kaiti bridge, and proper road connections made. The number of vessels requiring accommodation is rapidly increasing, and the room to handle them is altogether inadequate. The material required to fill in behind the new wharf would be taken out of the harbor, and would greatly improve it, giving greater depth over an extended area. After the completion of the wharf to the Kaiti bridge, the stock yard and goods shed at the lower end should bo removed. The improvement of the channel by blasting and dredging between Snark’s landing and the root of the breakwater, and from upper end'of training wall to the temporary wharf at Kaiti, is urgently required. A commencement would have been made on the first section during the past month but for the large amount of traffic in the channel. As the channel here is very narrow, the works cannot be carried on very economically when traffic is considerable. Although a large quantity of rock has been removed from time to time from the second section, it will be seen by reference to the accompanying tracing that something more should be done. A survey of the site for the proposed slip lias been made, and frequent borings to the rock over the area surveyed are being executed. I propose preparing plans and specifications for the construction of the slip after the boring is completed. Levels from high-water mark to the site of the port lights have been obtained with a view to designing suitable towers for the fifth order port lights, which it is proposed to substitute for the lights now used. Herewith please find a telegram from Messrs Anderson, of Christchurch, re completion of the now dredge. This is in reply to a telegram asking them to say when the new dredge would be completed. Tenders for the supply of timber for the extension of the training wall: Apparently the saw-millers consider the time allowed, five months, for the supply and delivery of the timber too short. Herewith please find a tracing showing the soundings reduced to zero pf the Kaiti tide gauge, obtained on the 16th and 26th inst. It will be observed that the recent southerly weather has not caused any silting up of the channel. In regard to the suggested extension of the wharf, the Chairman said the sooner that facilities were given for making better use of the new wharf the better. The great amount of cargo to be handled had to be done under considerable inconvenience.

Mr Maefarlane proposed that plans be drawn up for the extension of the wharf. The motion was seconded by the Chairman, and carried unanimously. Some discussion took place as to the means of making use of the present work. In regard to the slip, the Chairman said that it was the most urgent work, seeing that the dredge would soon bo here. They could also have the slip for use by the lighters. Mr Clark: Then it will pay interest on the money ? The Chairman: Yes. Dealing with the question of lights, Mr Cooper said they should again urge a light, at Tuahine point, as it was very badly wanted there. The Chairman said that'the light would not have anything to do with the harbor lights, which required attention. harbormaster’s report. The Harbormaster (Captain Thomson) reported as follows: —I have the honor to report to you that .by soundings taken this day, and also several times during the month, you will observe that the channel in the line of the breakwater, and also up to the wharf, does not show any less water than when reported to you at the last meeting of the Board. The removal of the small papa rock abreast of the mouth of the Wailcanae is a great improvement, and will do away with the bumping that formerly took place at very low tide. The extension of the new wharf is certainly a great benefit for berthing, but the facilities to remove cargo that is landed there are worthy of the Board’s best consideration, and the increase of shipping to this port also demands the Board’s best consideration, as vessels in these days must have dispatch, or it tends to injure the port. There are three timber-laden vessels and one Newcastle collier on then - way to this port at present. Shipping:—Arrivals: Steamers, 29; departures, 28; sailing vessels, arrivals 9, departures 6. Soundings taken this day at high water, neap tides: End of breakwater, 50ft oil, 22ft 6in ; 100 ft from end, 30ft off, 13ft 3in; 200 ft up, 13ft 3in; 300 ft up, 12ft 2in; Snark’s landing, 20ft off, 12ft 2in; large crane, one patch, 30ft off, lift 3in ; mouth of Waikanae or black buoy, lift 9in; stockyard, 40ft off, lift 9in; half-way up wharf, 30ft off, lift Gin; top end of old wharf, 20ft off, lift; half-way up new wharf, 10ft. The outside soundings from end of breakwater are the same as I reported to you at last meeting.

Mr Macfarlane said, it did not seem necessary for the Engineer and Harbormaster to both report on the same matters.

The Engineer explained that his soundings were records of low-water, while the Harbormaster’s gave high-water ; in the present case, it was a coincidence that they had reported on the same matter. The Chairman said it was very necessary to have something done to the stockyard portion of the wharf. Mr Clark said that at present the Board was running a great risk 'of an action for damages; valuable rams and bulls were being landed and shipped at great risk, which the expenditure of a couple of pounds would in a great measure avoid.

The Chairman said it was to keep down expenditure the work had been deferred, but if the small sum stated would do any good, the matter should be attended to at once.

The Chairman said that the . Board’s financial position was a very satisfactory one. They would require to keep the rate the same as. hitherto, until , they ascertained what effect the new'dredge would have. ■