HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2463, 30 March 1909, Page 6

HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the Harbor Board was held yesterday afternoon in the Board-room. Present: Messrs J. Townley (chairman), J. B. Kells, J. dark, IV. I). S. MacDonald, M.P.j IV. Sievwright, IV. D. Lysnar, F. Harris, G. Matthewsori and Hon-. Capt. Tucker. Oapta'in Cumming, 'Harbormaster, and Mr. D. McLeod, Overseer, were also in attendance, CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was received from the Town Clerk stating that the Borough Council had decided to agree to the Board’s taking of land at Waihirere, and stating that the Board could at once take steps to acquire the portion under the Public Works Act.—The Chairman said that the letter was most satisfactory. Mr. Geo. Grant, C.E., would now immediately proceed with the necessary plans, etc. The Shipwreck Relief Society of Dunedin a vrote asking the Board’s assistance towards the aims of the society.— On the motion of Mr. Lysnar, seconded by Mr. Clark, it was resolved to make a- donation of £lO for this year. E. Higliam, ia deck hand on the dredge John Townley, wrote asking for an increase of Avages. He stated that while the hands on the dredge were only getting 10|d per -hour, the other men working under the Overseer were hempt. pai.d_a.t..the rate, .of Is lid.j—-The Chairman pointed out that the deck hands’ wages went on just the same in Ave.t or dry iveather, Avhile the Overseer’s men were knocked off when the Aveather was unfaA r orable and their Avages stopped.—lt AA r as decided that the Board could not accede to the request. A circular letter was reeerred from the secretary of the Harbors Association regarding the Local Authorities Superannuation Act, and acknoAvledging the opinion of the Board as-to the joint scheme being optional.-—The matter Avas left in the hands of the Finance. Committee to confer AA r ith the permanent employees of the Board and report to the next meeting. FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The secretary’s cash account showed ordinary account, credit, £2948 17s 9d; harbor improA'ements, 1909; debtor, £lOl4 14s 2d; total, £1934 3s 7d. Bank: Current account, as per passbook, credit, £1944 18s 7d, less outstanding cheques 10 155—£1934 3s 7d. Outstanding: Wharfages current £lB 8s 6d, rent TauAvharaparae £l4 11s Bd. REPORTS. The harbormaster (Captain Camming) reported that the soundings taken in the channel on the 25tli inrt. AA'ere as follows: End of breakwater_l4ft, sth to 6th bollards Bft 6in. Shark’s Landing 7ft, bis crane 7ft, Waikan'a© 7ft 6m, neA\- Avbarf 7ft, half-way along town wharf 6ft to Bft,' ton end 3ft to sft, Ivaiti Avbarf sft to Bft. . The big beacon in the ©hahhe! Was. accidentally knocked down on Wednesday night, and should be replaced as soon as possible. Some of the chafing pieces on the. groyne where vessels discharge ey:plosives have been knocked away, leaving tlie holts stickingou£, which shipmasters complain damage their ships. Steamers, arrivals and departures, 50; sailing vessels, arrivals 13, departures 11. Moorages, extra lay days £1 3s, lighter dues £l9. The Overseer, Mr D. A. McLeod, reported that the repairs authorised at last meeting to be made to. the. viaduct hutting on to the breakAAwter had been completed. There \A r ss still a small portion of the repairs on the up : stream end of the viaduct uncompleted,'but,would probablv be out of hand this AA-cek. The John Townley had taken 45 loads to sea, and the small dredge on the breakwater bad A\'orked 16 days, also four and a-half days lifting stone on to the .viaduct. The suction dredge had been steadily at Avork. The ucav runner would be shortly to hand, hut it would be necessary to obtain a new runner case. Stone and gravel removed from Kaiti beach; other than used for the viaduct, totalled 200 loads._ ( The dredgemaster,. Captain G. P. Salvander, reported that the dredge had been constantly employed, AA’ith the exception of tAvo days through had Aveatlier, and one day cleaning and painting buoys in the bay, and had. lifted 10c5

yards of sand from along the breakwater and 3200 yards from between the slip and town- wharf; total, 4375 cubic yards. Mr W, B, Mackie, engineer of the John Townley, reported a delay of two hours 5 occurring on -the- 27th in replacing the slewing pin, after 22 mouths’ use. ■ ‘ '■- . ,. t ; • : BREAKWATER EXTENSION. The Overseer, Mr McLeod, in accordance with instructions, , submitted a report on the cost of extending the breakwater 200 feet on his suggested plan, the amount being £7143. This was, he added, exclusive of the 60 turpentine piles noyv. on hand, which might be used for the work. If adopted, it would be necessary to conserve the supply of gravel on the Kaiti beach for the* work. Heconsidered, with ordinary fine weather, the work could be completed in six .months from the driving of the first pile. ' The reports were read and adopted, and it was resolved to have the s necessary works mentioned in them proceeded with at once. Accounts were passed for payment, .and a discussion, which is reported elsewhere, took place on the question * f the improvement of the inner harbor.