HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 260, 14 February 1889, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

An ordinary meeting of the above was held on Tuesday evening. Present: The Chairman and Members Chambers, Clark, Shelton, Sievwright, Matthewson, Townley, and Bennett. • hap.bobmaster’s report. The Harbormaster reported that the arrivals during the past month had been 23, and departures 22. The ship Turakiaa I e had brought to an anchorage south of the red buoy, which position ho considered the safest in the bay, and also affording greater facilities for lighterage, engineer's report. The Engineer reported as follows :— '• Since last meeting a section of breakwater has been finished, making a total length of 574 feet, and about half of another section is now finished. We had a slight delay owing to one of the castings in the sand-grab breaking; it has been repaired, and is at work again.—l wish to draw atten tion to the fact that the breakwater is more than 25 feet high now, and as it stands 8 feet above average high water, there is a depth of 17 ft to the rock at high water, so that except for inconvenience to the work, nothing would hinder vessels coming in and discharging three hours before and after high water. Ln connection with this it is necessary to get fenders to spike to the perm ment totara ones (black birch would be a suitable timber), and we would require 75 fenders to carry us from 400 feet out to 1300 feet.—Regarding the stone supply, Mr McLoughlin delivered stone to the Board at Is 7Jd from June to November, 1887- In November new tenders were called. Mr Knox’s was accepted at 11,Id, Mr McLoughlin, the former contractor, tendering at 2s. The price being too little, the Board had to take over Mr Knox’s contract in March 1888. They then put on their own men for a few weeks. The question came up of letting a fresh contract, but it was decided that as there was a doubt about getting the Harbor Bill through Parliament, it would be unsafe to enter into a contract. The work was then given to one of our own men, Mr McLeod, at Is 9d for ordinary stone that could be lifted by the crane, and 2s 6d for some carted between 20 and 40 chains. There was also a special price for very large boulders of 4s 9d. These had not been supplied before, and were required for filling in the situ work on the breakwater. The Board in this agreement with Mr McLeod supplies the crane, rails, and sleepers, he finding horses, drays, labor, and email tools. Mr Malone tendered at the same time at 2s 4d. —The drawings and specifications for the side-tip waggons are now ready, and I propose to call tenders for same, to be in by next meeting.”

It was decided to try how white pine, being procurable iu the district, would suit. Mr McLeod was permitted to address the Board. He detailed the circumstances that led to his having taken over the contract for supplying stone, the difficulties with which he had to contend, the satisfaction which he had given where others had failed, the expense and trouble he had been put to in getting at the stone, and his understanding that the arrangement he had entered into was a permanent one, with the reasonable proviso that it would terminate in the event of satisfaction not being given, In .order to make a fair comparison between his own price and that of those who had been engaged on the work before him, they should remember that Knox admitted that he had lost £lBO over it, and reckon up what it cost the Board to make extensions and the losses entailed by various delays, besides which the previous contractors had only taken the metal which was easily got at. Though public tenders had not been called for the work ho took it over under the impression that any plans he might adopt in the carrying of it out would not be made public property, and that his rights would be protected. In conclusion he said he had been over fifteen years in Poverty Bay, moat of which time he had been a contractor, and -his career as snob would bear the closest inspection, for he had carried out every work he had undertaken to the entire satisfaction of those who had to supervise it, In case of his claims not being considered in this case he reserved to himself the right of taking what course he thought necessary to defend his position. Mr Bennett said there was no question that Mr McLeod had done his work satisfactorily. The thing was at present they were acting illegally. The unsatisfactory way in which they stood was shown by Mr McLeod’s coneluding words. The Chairman said that was only the stereotyped phrase. Mr Bennett: It shows that we are at the tnerey of everyone, through a proper engagement not having been made in the first instance. I certainly shall not vote in favor of any farther payments unless the work is let by public tender. Mr Chambers said the arrangement had been made in a case of emergency. Mr Bennett said that could not exist for ever.

The Chairman said that besides considering Mr McLeod they had to consider the ratepayers, The arrangement was quite proper when made, bat it was not right to continue it.

Mr Chambers agreed that tenders should be called, but at the same time a Committee I should be appointed to consider whether any compensation was due to Mr McLeod lor eipetila that he had gone to<

It was resolved on the motion of Mr Bennett seconded by Mr Shelton, that tenders be called for the supply of stone, the Works Committee to confer with the Engineer as to the specifications.

There was first some discussion as to whether it was advisable for the Engineer to undertake the responsibility of preparing the specifications, and it was decided as above.

PAYMENTS. A. R. Muir, £4 4s ; Gas Company, £2l 12s 4d ; Weighbridge keeper, £1; Wingate, Burns and Co, £lB is lid; Johnston and Co, £1155 9s Id ; G. Humphreys, £3 15s ; Brown and Smaill, £7 13s 6d; D. A. McLeod, £67 17s lOd ; J. A. Harding, £5; A. J. Cooper, £2los; J. Grady, £6l7s 6d; Wages Account, £227 Is lid. It was resolved to call for tenders for carting work. Mr Shelton proposed and Mr Townley seconded, that Messrs Bennett, Matthewson, and the mover, be a committee to consider the present wharfage tariff, and to bring up a report at next meeting. In reply to Mr Clark the Secretary said the rate cases were still in the hands of the solicitor.

It was resolved to again urge Mr DeLautour to have the cases tested as soon as possible.

It was resolved on the motion of Mr Chambers, to apply for power to bring the Tauwbareparae block under the provisions of the Perpetual Leases Act. The Chairman’s motion was carried, to alter the Board’s hour of meeting from 7 to 7.30.

Mr Sievwright gave notice to move:— “ That before calling for tenders the Board in all oases obtain from the Engineer an estimate of cost, and that in accepting a tender the Board shall do so with reference to such estimate and without requiring sureties, the conditions and estimates being so framed as to protect the Board by keeping in hand a proper margin of the contract money and by prohibiting the assignment of contract money,"