HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2434, 24 February 1909, Page 6

HARBOR BOARD.

STATCTUUY MEISTI.N«.

'Jlic statutory meeting of the Lie v hor .Board -was hold iu the Board': o®ces yesterday afternoon. Present Me&>vs J. Townley, J. B. Kells, J Clark, F. Harris, G. Alatthewson, AV bjovwngUt,- \V. D. S. MacDonald M..land Hon. AV. H. Tucker. the clerk (Mr. J. AV. Witty) was.ii: the chair. ■ ' i\lr. H. M. Porter, returning offi cor,, notified the election to tin Board of Messrs ■F. R. Harris and J. Townley for the borough, and Messrs AA 7 . D. S. MacDonald and J B. Kells for the counties. —‘Received ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. The 'Hon. Captain Tucker proposed Mr. J. Townley as chairman for th< ensuing year. iHe said that Air. Townley had faithfully carried out tin resolutions of the Board, whether t< his liking or not, and had-acted chairman in the past in a capable manner. Air. J. Clark briefly seconded tinmotion, which was carried unanimously. Air. Townley then took the chair, and returned thanks for the confidence reposed in him. He had always endeavored to execute the Board's wishes in the best- manner. He thought that the appointment of r chairman at the present time was an important matter. There was the (great question of harbor accommodation, which urgently required -attention, and the subject of the outer harbor was one deserving of further consideration, for he thought it- had not yet been considered enough. COMPLIMENTAHY REMARKS. Before proceeding with ordinary business, the Hon. Captain Tucker said it was not inappropriate to extend a welcome to the new members (Messrs MacDonald and Kells), and to regret the loss of two old and tried members in Messrs Hepburn - and AVhinray, who had always endeavored to do their duty. Air Sievwright seconded the motion, referring in complimentary terms tc the - late members. Air. Alathewsoii said he could not. in view of their election addresses, extend so warm a welcome as the others to the new members. He refined to the policy of stagnation which had characterised the Board, 'and spoke of Air. Town ley’s impartiality >a« .chairman in terms of praise. Mr. Kells briefly thanked members for their welcome, .and said he intended to do his best. Mr. Harris said the old members deserved credit for the Board's present position, and he felt sure the new members would be able to work amicably with tlie other members. The Chairman said that members' remarks would he greatly appreciated by Messrs Hepburn and AVhinray. He counselled co-operation, and asked al ! to work together for the best interests of the Board. COR RESPONDEN CE. Messrs Nelson Bros, asked to be allowed to extend their wharfage 'accommodation. Plans of the proposed extension were submitted, and the Chairman stated he had inspected the spot-. He could see no objection to fell extern siou.

Mr. Dewing waited un the Board , who decided to offer no objections t< the proposed work. Mr. George Grant, surveyor, submitted plans of the area of 10-5 acre; at Waihirere proposed to be taker for a quarry reserve. The Chairman proposed that tin necessary steps be taken to accjuin the area under the “Public ."Work; Act” for the purposes of quarrying when necessaryAir. Sievwriglit seconded the mo tion, which was carried. The Grcyniouth Harbor Board wrote regarding the non-payment o! royalty .and special rate on coal In the State coal mines.—Received. The Secretary for the Marine Department wrote regarding the forwarding of the iron tower and appar--1 atus for the Tuahine light. He also s wrote re the supply of carbide for the light, and enclosed two tenders for the Board’s consideration. It was decided to order, through : the Department, a ton of carbide | from the Acetylene Gas Lighting Co.. : Wellington, at a cost of £l7 10s. SIGNALLING APPARATUS. The following letter from the man- ' age id of the Union Steamship Company (Mr. J. W. J. Preston) was bread: The Secretary, 1 Gisborne Harbor Board, Gisborne, Dear Sir, —Signalling Appliances.— In view of the immediate erection of jthe Tuahine Light I wish to bring under the notice of the Board the present unsatisfactory appliances for signalling vessels in the Roadstead. This more especially in bad Southerly wenlher. Masters of our steamers have ju many occasions complained that ihey cannot- read the signals from he flagstaff owing to the background bused by the iron roof's of the snrpunding buildings. When the wind ; blowing from the South the prohit situation also causes the flags to 2 end on to the -vessels reading the finals. Several months ago it was jeessary for us to send the Tuatea it to communicate with the Molcoia i a. strong Southerly gale. The risk |en undertaken was very consider]e and a repetition is not desired, [would; suggest for your considorain the advisability oft .telephonic fe.munication with Tuahine. Ap>aching vessels-would thereby be rented both for the benefit- of the trailing public and those connected h shipping interests. At the pro|t time in order to ascertain wher a. vessel is in sight it is necestto trespass on the railway line, never signalling is required in weather a quagmire has to be ersed to reach the flagstaff with liT consequent delay. I sincerely that this matter will bo iseriy considered as the-great conence and benefit to the public e.would more than compensate the comparatively small outlay | when the cost of a keeper is ght into- the transaction. The fete necessity for safe and rcliatgiialling in an expeditious manhiring bad weathers needs no dorbration as such wifi bo readily feised. The present staff is not ¥ satisfactory, and this fact will rno out by your Harbormaster, s well .aware of the disabilities ended in unfavorable weather. Heir staff erected at Tuahine, tofewitli telephonic communication

vould o.bviate any necessity for vesels coming close in to tho bay at coniderahlo .risk, as signalling coukPbc 10-ne from the lighthouse : fia-gsta.fi ith satisfaction and expedition. The enefibs of such, especially in bad weaker, will be readily recognised by ah onccrncd. ' Yours faithfully, J. AV; J. PRESTON, Branch Alanagcr. Gisborne, 22nd February, 1909, It was pointed ou that there would be no attendant- at Tualiino Point, the acetylene apparatus obviating this. The letter was referred to the harbormaster to report- upon. SHED AND AATTARF ACCOMMODATION. Tire manager of the Union iSteam:hip Company (AH’. J- AY. J. Preston) wrote, as follows : The Secretary, Gisborne Harbor Board, Gisborne, Dear Sir,—Shed and Wharf Accommodation. —In view of the rapidly injreasing business of the port I wish to bring under the notice of the Board die urgent necessity for increased yluvi-L and shed accommodation. Whenever the regular trader Squall arrives here weekly with a considerable cargo it is a matter of extreme difficulty to satisfactorily land the jame in such -a manner as t-o allow consignees to obtain delivery without serious trouble and inconvenience, i would therefore suggest- for the consicleration of tlio lioard tlio advisebility of extending the present wooden wharf down towards the slip. This would enable the erection oi shed accommodation thereon capable of dealmo- -with the large quantity of cargo now entering the port, and also give jxtra berthage for the numerous lighters and small -vessels entering the river; The removal of the berth for the passenger tender further up the wharf would be a step in the right direction as such would then give greater room for the working of cargo. It would at the same time remove the passenger business from tho congested area and enable those travelling to embark and land with more comfort than at present. The lugiage would be dealt with more expeditiously and satisfactorily than in the oresent-’ limited space, which is frequently blocked with undelivered material left- on the wharf. I sincerely trust that these matters •will receive the early and serious conadoration of the Board in tho best interests of all concerned. Yours faithfully, J. AY. -J. PRESTON, Branch Alanagcr.

The Chairman said this opened up the big question of river improvement. Air. Preston was anxious to get the L’uatea berthed further up the river, but sufficient. dredging had not been done to allow of this at present. Before anything could he done necessary improvements had to he made. Til's wrought up the matter of dredging. He suggested procuring a small bucket dredge to fill up hoppers which the “John Townley” could tow to ;ea. There was no "necessity to expend £15,000 or £20,000 on a large dredge. He. proposed to submit plans of a scheme to the next meeting of the Board. Air. Harris referred to the congestion of cargo in the sheds, and the want of classification. It- was decided that the Board meet next- Monday as a committee to consider the letter. REPORTS. The Harbormaster, Capt-. Gumming, reported that- the soundings in the Channel were as follows: —End of breakwater 14ft, 4th bollard from end sft, Smirk’s Landing 7ft 6'in, big crane 7ft, AVaikanae 7ft- Gin, along new wharf 7ft 6'in, half way along town wharf 6ft to 7ft 6:n, Kaiti wharf oft to Bft. Shipping since last meeting: steamers —Arrivals 48, departures 4o ; lading ships: Arrivals 6, departures 5. Alodrages, extra lay days, 8s 3d, lighter dues £l4 12s 6d. The lighthouse for Tuahine Point had arrived and would be erected as soon as pos- 1 iible.

Mr D. A. McLeod, o-verseer, reported that the concrete work in connection with the retaining back wall of the viaduct, comprising those portions most in need of repair, was being proceeded with as tide and weather conditions permitted. The outer end of the viaduct abutting on the breakwater required attention. This portion, about 200 feet in length, was boxed in full -width to a height of lft Din above the high water line, and was originally filled with large boulders. A large portion of this ballast, however, had been swept out on to the papa rock between the viaduct and the river channel. It required to be refilled with stone and -the top-ser-vice covered with a layer of concrete, costing £46. The John Townley removed 36 loads of spoil to sea; the dredge on the breakwater only worked five days, there being a long spell of smooth" sea. "With the exception of four days undergoing repairs, the suction dredge had been steadily at work. A portion of the timber required for the original section of Kaitj wharf was to hand. Stone and gravel removed from the Kaiti beach totalled 108 loads. Capt. Solvandcr, dredigemaster, reported that the John Townley had been constantly employed, except two days through had weather' and had removed 3800 cubic yards of sand and mud.

It was. decide'd that the refilling; of the viaduct, as proposed by the overseer, be done. COMMITTEES. Commitccs were appointed for the ensuing year as follows: — •Finance: Messrs Townley, Matthewson, Lysnar,' Sievwriglit, -and Hon. Captain Tucker. Public Works: Messrs Townley, Harris, Kells,. Lysnar, and Hon. Captain Tucker.