GISBORNE HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3612, 27 August 1912, Page 6

GISBORNE HARBOR BOARD.

ORDINARY MEETING. ■k - The Gisborne Harbor Board met yesterday. Present: Messrs J. Townley (chairman), C. J. Parker, T. Holden, G. K. Humphreys, A. F. Wachsnninn, E. V. Palmer, B. J. Holdswortli, A. Sawyer, J. Brown, G. Witters, Sherratt’, and Dr. Collins. The Nelson Harbor Board wrote inquiring if the Board would hire the clredger Maui from four to six months. The Engineer stated that he had replied that it was impossible to comply with the request and his action was endorsed by the Board. The manager of tho Union Bank of Australia wrote stating that owing to the stringency of the money market the rate of interest on the overdraft would be increased to 51 per cent. As soon as the market became better the rate would l>e reduced.—Received. The Borough Council wrote asking the Board if it would reduce' tho cost on empty tar barrels from 6d to 3d each. The tar was imported in barrels and the barrels mentioned were being returned to be refilled. The chairman pointed out that the Board would have to allow all barrels in for 6d if they made an exception in the case of the Council. The only way they could do it was to amend the schedule.

It was decided to reply that the Board had no power to comply with the request. Air Greenland, secretary of the Westport Harbor, informed the Board that "the cost of the slip they were puting up was £27,soo.—Received.

The Public Trustee notified the Board that for the half year ended Juno 30 last the following amounts were available: Reserve Fund £2458 14s sd, Sinking Fund £3258 15s lid. Of the latter amount the -sum of £IOOO would be required to complete the advance to the Poverty Bay Club. The chairman and secretary were appointed to interview the local agent of the Public Trustee on the matter.

Mr A. W. Shrimpton, of Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs, wrote informing the Board that he was preparing a- geography of Now Zealand, and should be glad if the Board would furnish him with rough tracings of a. plan of the harbor. It was decided to agree to the request. The Engineer reported that the total expenditure for the annual overhaul of the dredge Maui had been £1720 11s Bd. The hull and machinery now being in first-class order, he would ask the authority of the Board to approach the Marine- Department with the view of the next inspection and overhaul of the machinery and engine being made in Gisborne on the due date, May 31, 1913, and that an extension of time for the docking of the hull he requested for 8 months, or to January 31. so as to bring the trip to Auckland into the summer months and yet not clash with Xmas. The Rev. Mr Bates had given considerable care and attention to supplying special forecasts for the trips of the Maui' to Auckland and back, and suggested that the thanks of the Board be conveyed to him by an official letter. The Maui started dredging on the loth inst with the buckets, and continued till the 19th, when she had y-day’s pumping in the channel. Since then she was using the send pump in the channel and buckets in the inner basin according as the tides suit. She had since the loth inst lifted and deposited at sea 2,700 tons of spoil, principally clay. The John Townie r had dredged and deposited at sea 20 loads of spoil taken from between No. 3 shed and the shore end of the groyne. For 31 days she was engaged lifting anchors and cables from the Star of Canada, which is being charged against the salvors, and one day was lost due to had weather. On the 15th inst., whilst lifting anchqrs, the starboard boiler gave out, which had necessitated the dredge being laid up. The repairs to the boiler wore in the hands of Messrs Niven and Co. The Harbor Master reported that about the 15th inst. the lower part of the entrance channel silted up to 9ft Gin at low water, but this had since been improved by the Maui to lift. The s.s. Inga, with a full load of coal and drawing 14ft Gin, came to the wharf on the 21st inst without any trouble, though there was a very poor tide, being ouite a foot below the ordinary high tide. Shipping since last Board meeting:—Steamers: Arrivals 41, departures 40; sailing ships: Arrivals 7. departures 7; lighter dues : Fortytwo at 2s 6d, £5 ss. The big black buoy has been chipped and tarred, and would he placed "in position as soon as the dredge John Townley was at work again, and weather permitting.