HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2642, 26 October 1909, Page 7

HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY' MEETING. The'monthly meeting of the Gisborne Harbor'Board was held, at 2. p.m. yesterday under the presidency of Mr. J. Townley. Other members present were Messrs F. Harris, W. D. Lysnar, C. J. Parker, J. B. Kells, and J. Clark. The Harbor Master, Capt. W. Cummings reported the completion of the cottage at Tuahinc, which the lighthouse' keeper was going into that day. The light had gonemut three times during the month, which showed the necessity of an attendant being stationed there. Capt. Cummings added that while in Wellington he had bought a good glass, a sot of signals, and a signal book for the use of the signalman. The light and signal station should now prove of great,benefit to the' shipping and public. The shipping since last meeting had been as follows: — Steamers: 'Arrived, 35, departed 33 ; sailing ships, arrived, 5, departed 3. Moorages £1 Is 4d, lighter dues £4 15s. Mr. Townley remarked that he hoped all trouble was ended as regarded the Tuahino. light., The report of Mr. D. A. McLeod, overseer, stated that the dredge John Townley had taken 51 loads to sea. The small dredge had been constantly at work lifting spoil over the breakwater. The suction dredge had also worked without interruption during the month. Good progress was being made with tlie Kaiti wharf extension, the last pile of which was being driven on the day of' the meeting. The coal bunker was finished in time to receive 74 tons from the Regulus on October 12th. The tie beams, headstocks, and braces would be fixed in position by the end of nextmonth, and a start was to be made this week with putting the rock chopper in working order for deepening either by chopping down to the necessary depth all the liiden portions of papa rock that could not be excavated with the grab. The maram grass recently transplanted on tlie Wailcanao beach was doing well, and Mr. McLeod had also put in during the late rain 121bs of yellow lupin seed to cover about an acre. The report recommended. the fencing of this patch, mentioning that there was plenty of old timber suitable for posts. There had been 150 loads of stone and gravel removed from tlie Kaiti beacli during the month. The Chairman proposed /that tlie fencing be done, and the motion to do so was carried. With regard to tlie dredge, John Townley, Mr. A. F. Long, engineer, reported that it had been working constantly during the month, though there had been one delay of five hours owing to crane defects. The machinery and boiler of the dredge had given satisfaction. The dredge-master, Capt. G. P. Solvander, reported that in all 5,000 cubic vards of spoil bad been dredged, 200 yards of sand having been taken from along the breakwater. Tlie balance-sheet for the nine months ending September 30tli was presented and accounts were passed for pavment. The question of weighbridge charges was brought up, Mr. Witty mentioning that a rival weighbridge bad started in the town at which only 3d per load was charged. The Harbor Board’s charge was Gd. The question of reducing the charge was referred to the works committee. Mr. Lysnar proposed that the overseer be instructed to give the mep a holiday to-morrow, People’s Day at/tlio Show,'and this was agreed to.