HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2176, 28 April 1908, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

Tho monthly meeting of the Gisborno Harbor Board was held yesterday. Present:—Mr. J. Townlcy (chairman), Captain Tucker, Messrs. Sievwright, Hepburn, Clarke, Harris, Mattkcwson, W. D. Lysnar, and Whinray. CORRESPONDENCE. Mr. E. Habgood, contractor for tlie supply of 1000 yards of broken metal, intimated that through Patutahi quarry being closed down for the winter, ho was unable to complete bis contract, but was prepared to do so when tlie quarry was reopened. He asked for the return of half his deposit (£0), and suggested that the County Council should be asked to provide bettor facilities for metal contractors.

The Chairman said that nearly half the quantity of metal had been supplied, and ho moved that tlie full deposit be returned and the contract cancelled. This was agreed-to. THE OUTER HARBOR.

Tho following letters were received from Messrs. Huddart, Parker, and Co., and the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company, in reply to the Board’s letters asking their opinion on tho Outer Harbor scheme.

The Shaw, Savill, and Albion Co. forwarded the following reply from Captain E. J. Evans, Marino Superintendent: —“I have to state that if the construction of such harbor works and tho expenditure of £400,000 is contingent on the ocean steamers going to the wharf, I am afraid 1 cannot express a favorable opinion on tho project.” Messrs. Dalget-y and Co. further communicated the following statement from.; Mr. C. Jones, manager for New Zealand of the Huddart Parker Steamship Co.: “Our Marine Superintendent has no acquaintance with your port to enable him to offer an opinion. 4Vo have, however, placed the plans before tho masters of our boats that have to work in Gisborne. They are of opinion that tho harbor as suggested in Mr. Marehaut’s plan would give the requisite shelter, and enable the largest to manoeuvre safely in and out, and that there is ample room between the buoy over the foul grounds and the end of the breakwater. They consider that the "shape of breakwater suggested by ill'. Marcliant would allow less range inside than the shape suggested in Messrs. Coode’s modification.” The secretary stated that the Marine Superintendent of the New Zealand Shipping Company would bo in Gisborno next- Friday, when he would make a personal inspection of the proposed site before giving his opinion. A NEW PROPOSAL. Mr. W. Eyre Kenny, writing to the chairman from Kuala Lipis, Federated Malay (States, forwarded a copy of one of the drawings that accompanied his report of 1893. On it ho had shown the lilies on which he thought a deep water harbor should be designed, making allowances lo? the increased size of steamers using the port. He thought that Piere Perdu breakwater, built of concrete blocks, varying from 20 to 100 tons, would bo the most suitable type, and that- no attempt to U6e them as wharves would -be practicable. The work would be expensive, but it would most certainly bo successful, and would meet the demands of the port. The scheme provided for the construction of a wall from near Pa Hill somewhat like that suggested by Mr. Marcliant-, together with an extension of tlie groyne seawards towards tire point reached by the outer wall, enclosing a vast -area between tho present breakwater and Pa Hill.

Mr. Lysnar said he anticipated adverse reports from the larger shipping companies, as they were getting good despatch without incurring the cost of extra charges. The boato calling weekly would be favorable to an outer harbor, because they needed better provision for landing passengers. The Chairman said that all companies had been written to, and they could not complain afterwards that they were not consulted. The lottery were received. REPORTS.

The Harbormaster, Captain W. Cuinming, reported that tho channel had silted lip a great deal in places during tho-month. From the middle of the new wharf to the mouth of the Waikanae creek the bank had made up very much, leaving only a narrow gutter along the Kaiti side. Soundings taken on the 25th List, were: End of new breakwater 12ft, 4th bollard from end Bft, Snark’s lauding 6ft Gin, big crane Bft, Waikanao 6ft 6in, 30ft off middle new wharf sft, along town wharf sft to Bft-, Kaiti wharf oft to 7ft. The leading light towers required repainting, and a couple of holes at the foundations filled up, and. a few loads of stone spread to prerent the sand from blowing away. Steamer arrivals 40, sailing vessels 10. The lighter dues were £8 ss: moorages, extra lay days, £7 5s 3d. The Harbormaster also mentioned that it would be a great convenience- if the house of his assistant (Captain Martin) was connected with tho telephone. The overseer, Mr. D". A. -McLeod, reported that the suction dredge was doing fairly good work. Tho amount of silt within reach of the present delivery pipes would, owing to the recent freshes in the river, keep the dredge going another month, but after that tho pipes would require to be lengthened. The cost of 250 feet of delivery pipes would be about £SS. The John Townley had removed about 37 loads of spoil to sea. and the small -dredge had been laid up. Fair progress was being made with the wharf extension, 2001't of main piling being driven, and 50ft of back sheeting finished. Mr Habgood had delivered 12 yards of broken stone, total 622 yards. A total of 220 loads of shingle- had been removed from tho Kaiti beach.

Captain Solvander, dredgemaster, reported that with the exception of a day and a half through bad weather tho John Townley had been constantly'at work, and had shifted 3800 cubic yards of mud.

Mr. W. B. Mackie, dredge engineer, reported a delay of three hours one morning through a rivet blowing out, othenvisejhc machinery wa6 giving satisfaction. The reports were adopted. The monthly financial statement was as follows: —Harbor improvement, 1908, Dr. £3286 14s lOd; ordinary account, £180“ 11s lid; bank overdraft, £1478 19s lid. Bank: Current account as per bank pass book, Dr. £1476 16s lid; add unpresented cheque, £3 3s; Dr., £ll7B 19s lid. Outstanding: Arrears of rates, 1906, £386 O.s Ud; arrears of rates, 1906. £IBB 2s lid; wharfages current, £26 Is 9d; rent, nil. Other business reported elsewhere was transacted, and the Board adjourned.