HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2724, 1 February 1910, Page 7

HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly mooting of the Gisborne Harbor Board was held in the Boardroom yesterday afternoon. Present: Messrs John Townley (chairman). F. Harris, J. *B. Ivells, G. Matthewson, C. J. Parker, W. I). S. MacDonald, M.P., John Clark, and Hon. Captain Tucker, M.L.C. Mr. F. Marckant, C.F., wrote stating that the E'ngineer-in-Chiof considered that- the extension to the breakwater should run parallel to the groyne. He personally did not think there wa s any objection to the scheme proposed by him —viz., the extension of the breakwater in a seaward direction. The Chairman said tiiat the plans had been altered in accordance with the suggestions of the Marine Department, and forwarded to the Department.

The Inspector of noxious weeds wrote drawing the attention of the Board to the fact that some plants of fennel were growing at the approach to the Kaiti bridge.—Tlie Chairman announced that the plants had been cut down. The secretary of tlie Harbors’ Association wrote enclosing a letter from the Alarine Department regarding tho liability of harbor boards fo r the acts of pilots navigating ships in and out of harbors. —It was decided to hold the matter over for future consideration. REPORTS. —Harbormaster’s Report.—

The Harbormaster (Captain W. Gumming) reported as follows: “I have the honor to report that the shipping of this port shows an increase of 33 steamers of 25,389 tons net register, and a decrease of sailing ships of 4572 tons net register for the year ending December 31st, 1909.' The number of trips made by lighters for the same period is 1088 at 2 S 6d—£l36; an increase of 144 trips. Shipping since last meeting: Steamers, arrivals 57, departures 56; sailing ships, arrivals 14, departures -15. The leliannell along the wharf has silted up very much from about half-way to the top end. The dredge should work there as much as possible when the wharf is clear of shipping, until it is cleared. You will notice we have had a lot of shipping during the month, and not having much water along the wharf has made it difficult to work at times. We have about 20 lighters and tenders to find berths for, besides the shipping trading to the port. -Soundings in the channel are keeping about tbe same as in my last- report. Aloorages for the month, 14s 2d; lighter dues for month, 78 at 2s 6d, £9 155.” The report was adopted. —Overseer’s Report.—

The Overseer (Mr. D. McLeod) reported that the John Townley had taken 27 loads of spoil to sea this month, and had undergone the usual overhaul, being 12 days out of commission. The small dredger had continued working all the month at the end of the breakwater. The suction dredge had also worked continuously. e The old runner might do for a month or six weeks, by which time the reclamation area should, be full. Mr. Overton had one of the mud punts well under way besides 35,500 ft of timber and a large portion of the ironwork on the ground. He recommended a progress payment of £3OO. It was pointed out that the punts had been designed for work in smooth water, and they carried their loads SO' high as to make them dangerous in a choppy sea. He suggested this might be obviated without materially altering their construction by bringing 'the door to the bottom of the wells instead of the top of same, and reducing the height of the hoppers one foot. This would result in the load being carried 3ft 6in lower at the bottom and a foot .lower at the top. It would also increase the capacity of the punts from 65yds to 75yds. As the work could be carried out without interfering with the work already done he suggested the alterations should be sanctioned. The Overseer also stated that, the deviation made by the engineer to the design of the Auckland punts in away the corners would make them more “cranky,” and take away their buoyancy without improving them for steering or towing. The punt now under construction would have to be completed according to the altered design, but he suggested the corners should be left on the second punt. The damage to the wharf near

No. 2 shed had been repaired at a cost of £9 15s. Timber work in connection •with the new dredge and punt berths had been completed, with the exception of iron fastenings. Regarding tbe railway embankment approaching tlie wharf, the Overseer pointed out that it was repeatedly being washed into tho channel and repaired from time to time in a temporary way. Stone and gravel removed from the Kaiti beach totalled 180 loads.

. The report was adopted, and the suggestions contained in it were referred to the Works Committee.

—Dredgemaster,’s Report.—

’The dredgemaster (Captain Solvandor) reported as follows: '“The dredge J'olm Townley has been constantly employed dredging, with the exception of 12 days, of which time she was up for annual overhaul, and was placed on tho slip on January 10th and refloated'on 18th, and dredging started on 20tli. The amount of spoil taken out was 1500 yards of clay from along the Kaiti wharf, 700 yards of mud from along the town wharves, and 400 yards of sand from along the breakwater, .in all 2600 cubic yards.” The report was read and adopted.

The engineer of the dredge (Air. A. F. Long) reported having overhauled the machinery and found it to he in a satisfactory condition.

BREAKWATER EXTENSION

In accordance with notice, the Chairman moved—“ That a Bill he prepared for next session of Parliament asking for the release of £IO,OOO from the balance of the unexpended loan money in the hands of the Public Trustee, for the purpose of extending the breakwater.”

Speaking to his motion, the Chairman said that the cost of the work would be about £13,000, but he thought they would’ he able to find the extra £3OOO out of revenue. The work was a necessary one, and they were all agreed that the extension of the breakwater was the only means of remedying the danger existing in the river.

Hon. Captain Tucker seconded the motion.

Air. Parker said the question was a serious one as regards the silting up of the river along the wall, and he did not think even ( the new dredge would cone with it.'

Air. Matthewson said lie was against the proposal to extend the breakwater, as he had been against the extension of the groyne. H© suggested that in order to avoid disturbing the reserve fund a small rate be struck.

Air. Kells supported the motion, but urged the Board to apply for the whole estimated cost of the work, £13,000 instead of £IO,OOO.

Air. Harris opposed the motion on the grounds that he did not approve of the expenditure of public money without the consent cf the ratepayers. He recognised tho danger in tho river, but opposed the secret system of borrowing. The Chairman said there was no secrecy in the matter. Twenty-five years ago the ratepayers had voted the money for harbor works, and it was this money they purposed to release to obviate a very real danger. In answer to Air. Parker, the -Chairman stated that- the engineer ec”kl not recommend the removal of a portion of the groyne. The motion on being put to the meeting was carried, Messrs Parker, Harris, and Alatthewson dissenting.

A RESOLUTION RESCINDED. Air. AlacDonald then, in accordance with notice, moved to rescind the resolution passed previously by the Board to make another cut in the groyne. He said that from the opinion of experts regarding the utility of the cuts in the groyne, and its stability, he was convinced that they were useless.

Hon. Captain Tucker seconded the motion. He hold that the extension of the breakwater was the only solution of the difficulty, and instead of improving the river he feared that an additional cut would make matters worse. He regretted that the Alarine Department had not agreed to Air. Afarcliant’s plans /for the proposed extension.

Air. Harris deplored the attitude of tlie Board in employing engineers and then rescinding resolutions to follow their advice. The Chairman said that contrary to opinion it had been found that tlie cuts in tlie groyne had not been instrumental in reducing the range in the river.

The motion was carried, Air. Harris alone dissenting, and the meeting adjourned.