THE HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2486, 27 April 1909, Page 6

THE HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly, meeting of the Gisborne Harbor Board was held yesterday afternoon in the boardroom. Present: Mr. John Towiiley (chairman), J. B. Kells, W. D. S. MacDonald, ALP., Hon. Captain Tucker, M.L.C., G. Matthewson, F. Harris, and W. D. Lysnar. Captain Pankow, of the ketch Coronation, wrote- regarding the unsatisfactory facilities for landing explosives, and stating that- in the present state of tho groyne he must refuse to come alongside there again.—The secretary stated that he had replied stating that according to the by-laws, explosives should be landed from a ship’s boat atthe groyne, and not from tho ship itself, and after a short discussion it was resolved to approve of tho secretary’s letter, and to attend to the facilities of the groyne for the purpose. Air. H. T. Day, stationmaster in charge of the Gisborne railway, wrote complaining that the wharf line-was frequently obstructed with timber, etc., and the . railway authorities were unable to work it with their rolling stock. At the time oi writing a loaded truck was so blocked. Be asked that in future trucks might be pushed out before the cargo was discharged on to the line, ancl that, a clear space of three feet should bo allou ed on either side of the rails to enable an engine to get along. Captain Gumming explained that tlie time complained of was when there was a lot of timber at the wharf, -and a stack had fallen down, blocking the i; llo _—After discussion it was decided to request tho Harbormaster to make a special effort to keep the line clear. REPORTS. The Harbormaster (Captain AY. Cnmming) reported that the soundings taken in the channel on 24th inst. ueio. End of breakwater loft, fourth to sixth bollard Sft, Snark’s landing (fit (sm, big crane 6ft, Waikanac 7ft 6m, along new wharf 7ft, mid-way along town wliarr 6ft to Sft, Kaiti wliarf oft to Sit. Great quantities of sand were blown over the orovne bv last week’s strong westerly winds into the river. He suggested it would he cheaper to erect something on the beach to stop the drift than to dretffie it out of the channel, since it made a foot of difference in the soundings. The buoys in the bay had been cleaned and painted, and placed in position. Steamer arrivals 3-5, departures 34 • sailing vessels, arrivals 6, departures 7. Extra moorages 15s 3d lighter dues £lO 2s 6d. The Overseer (Mr. D. A. McLeod) reported that tho new power-closing grab was put into commission on the fist inst.- It was a good, strong, wellfinished tool, but as to whether it would come no to expectations in excavating papa clav he would be better able to say in liis next report. So tar all ho could sav was that, although it had one or two advantages over the other o-rahs in dealing with the general class of material, it appeared to lift more at once, but took quite as long to nil the hopper, of the dredge. I lie concrete repairs to the bade wall ol tho Kaiti viaduct were completed. Repairs were-now being effected to tho o.d section of what! in front of the Board s office. Four of tho idles and a stringer at the Tuaten's berth were broken and had been substantially repaired. It was now intended to go on with the repairs to the Kaiti wharf. He estimated the additions to the waterside workers’ died at £42. He suggested that a hand rail should be erected on the Kaiti reclamation breastwork along either side of the stream, passing under the wliari. The John Ton nicy took ;R loads to sea during the month, whilst the small dredger worked 17 days and the suction dredge continuously. Grave! removed from the Kaiti beach totalled 160 loads. J.t was decided tha tthe recommendation contained in the report be adopted, and the overseer was instructed to carry them out. The Chairman said that although the grab had not yet been given a fair trial, it was proving successful. Him was a little slower in filling the hopper than the best of the other grabs, but she was much better for working on stone.

DIMIDGEM ASTER’S REPORT

•Captain Solvander (dmlgemaster) report'd that the amount of spoil taken out bv the John Townley comprised 400 yards’ of sand from alongside the breakwater and 2700 yards of mud from between the wharves. As the new grab had only been worked two days be was not prepared to sav if it improvement on the former one. The reports were adopted, and a number of accounts were passed, tor payment, and a discussion on the question of the dredge (reported in another column) took place.