HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2596, 2 September 1909, Page 7

HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. Tim usual monthly meeting of the Harbor Board was held yesterday, having been postponed from Monday, owing to the funeral of the late Mr Win. Adair. There were present: Messrs John Townloy (chairman), W. D. Lysnar, E. Harris, C. J. Parker, J. B. Kells, and Hon. Capt. Tucker. The owner of a ..fishing boat wrote asking for compensation, in view of the fact that he had lost a day’s fishing through getting one of the dredges’ ropes entanged in his propeller while proceeding down the channel.—lt was decided to refer the matter to the dredgemaster for his report. Tlio Town Cleric- notified the Board of the necessity of having all drains extended to low water mark, and stating that all the persons concerned had carried out the work except Mr. I. S. Simson. He asked that the Board concent to be joined with the Borough in prosecuting Mr Simson, as they were the owners of the foreshore adjoining his premises.—The Board decided to grant the request. Mr L. G. Speucer, A.M.1.C.E., wrote from New Plymouth, forwarding duplicate plans for the hopper barges required in connection with the new dredge. Messrs Maoholl and Bussell wrote requesting permission to erect a signboard to face the entrance to the river nea- the flagstaff.—The necessary permission was granted, the sign to be approved. by the Harbormaster, and removed' at the will of the Board. • Captaju Martin, assistant-Harbor-niaster, wrote forwarding . his resignation in Tg -v of his appointment with the N rw koaland Shipping Company.— The resignation was accepted, and it war, resolved to call applications for a successor to Captain Martin HARBORMASTER’S REPORT

The Harbormaster (Captain Cumming) in bis report recommended that now Tuahine light was under control of the Board, a man be stationed at the lighthouse' with telephone comniunication to town. The <x;st of connection and upkeep would be about A 9 a year, but this charge might be reduced. ‘‘The light,” he added, ‘‘may prove q danger rather than a benefit, it this is not done, as it may go out some dirty night when it would Tie impossible for a man to get there. Apart from the light a man stationed there would be a great benefit to the shipping com enmity of the port. The arrival of steamers could he known to a few minute^—a great convenience to both freezing companies, passengers, steamer agents, and the public generally. It would also be a benefit to shipmasters. Knowing they could conirnll”iShte with their agents they could rely on the light, whilst sailing ships could signal for a tug, thus saving a "day or mere when off the port with light winds. The cost of a room for a keeper and signal staff would be small, and a suitable man might be obtained for about £1 15s a week. Arrivals during the month .numbered 39, departures 39, sailing vessels, arrivals 4, departures 7. Light dues £4 17s 6d, moorages 7s Id. Soundings taken in the river channel for the month were as follows on the respective dates mentioned:—End of breakwater, August 2,14 ft, 10th 12ft Gin, 17th 13ft, 23rd 14ft 6in, 30th 15ft, 3rd to 6tli bollard, 7ft, 6ft, 6ft, 7ft 6in; Snark’s landing, sft 6in, sftf Gin, sft 9in, 6ft, 6ft 6in; big crane, 6ft 6iii, 6ft Gin, 6ft Gin, 6ft; Waikanae, 7ft, 7ft, 6ft 6in, 7ft , 6ft 6in; new wharf, 6ft, sft to 6ft, sft to 6ft 6ft 6ft; town wharf, half way, sft to 6ft, 5t to 61't, sft to 7ft, 4ft 6in to 6ft; crane, sft to 3ft, sft to 3ft, sft to 3ft, sft to 3ft; sft to 3ft; Kaiti wharf, sft t-o 6ft, sft to 6ft, sft to 6ft, 4ft to sft, 4ft to 6ft, 3ft to 6ft. On the motion of Mr Lysnar, seconded by Mr Kells, the' recommendation contained in the report was adopted, the salary of the lighthouse keeper to be £2 per week, with free house. It was also decided to cal tenders for the erection of a cottage with two rooms and a porch. OVERSEER’S REPORT.

The overseer, Mr D. A. McLeod, reported that the No. 3 cut .in the groyne had been completed at a cost of £95 5s 4d. The work done on No. 1 cut cost £2B 7s 6d, which, to complete, would require about £SO more. The four cuts would thus cost about £4OO. The indication, as far as he could judge, was that if the four cuts were made the river entrance during rough weather would be somewhat trotter for vessels passing in and out. It would not, however, by any means have the same effect on the river that the extension ,of the breakwater would have. It was very important, he considered, in view of future dredging operations in the river, and the mooring of heavy vessels, especially on the Kaiti side, that quiet water should be obtained, as mooring heavy vessels there under present conditions would not only be very costly, but very dangerous. Marram grass was being transplanted on the sand patch near the iiagstaff dn the beach, and lupin seed was also being sown. The John Townley too'k 60 loads of spoil to sea during the month, whilst the small dredger and the suction dredge had been constantly at work; the latter, however, was stopped four days for repairs. A new pump and rubber connecting hose has been installed. The Kaiti berthage extension was well in hand, and 150 feet of main piling was completed. Stone and gravel removed from the Kaiti beach totalled 260 loads. The report was adopted. DREDGEMASTER’S REPORT.

Captain Solvander, dredge-master, reported that the John Townley had taken 3750 yards of nrud from along_ the town wharf and 2400 yards of sand from along the breakwater to the sea. The report was adopted. ; ENGINEER’S REPORT.

Mr A. H. Hogg, engineer of the •dredge, reported that there had been 11 hours’ delay during the month, owing to small defects in the crane

gear. The report was adopted. 4ft FINANCIAL STATEMENT. •■r Items of finance were reported as rfollows: — * Ordinary Account, 'Cr., £4508 19s 4d, harbor improvements 1909, Dr., £3671 10s 7d; Cr., £837 'Bs 9d; bank. Current Account as per bank pass book, £837 8s 9d; outstanding: Wharfages A number of acounts were passed for payment, and the meeting adjourned i until Monday next at 2 p.nr.