HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 273, 14 March 1889, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

An ordinary meeting of the above was held on Tuesday evening. Present : The Chairman and Messrs Sievewright, Bennett, Matthewson, Shelton, Clark, Townley and Murphy. On the minutes being read it was pointed out by Mr Shelton that the Engineer had stated the big crane had not been worked before five in the morning. The minutes were to the effect that the Engineer “ was not aware this had been done.” Mr Bennett said Mr Shelton was perfectly correct.

Mr Sievewright thought the minutes were correct, while Mr Matthewson agreed with Messrs Shelton and Bennett.

Mr Townley said there had been a general discussion, the words in the minutes had been used, but the Engineer might have subsequently given a definite statement. The Engineer said the minutes were correct. The Chairman said the men surely did not work without the Engineer’s knowledge ? The Engineer said he gave general instructions to the overseer —if there was anything special the overseer might get the men to work at any time, though he had not been aware they had worked on this occasion. It was decided to alter the minutes to the effect that the Engineer had said the crane had not been worked before five in the morning, though he believed it had been worked as early as that when he was not there. bnginbeb’s reply. The Engineer wrote stating that he declined to accept the Board’s notice which had been given him with the object of making further arrangements with him, r d he bad placed the matter in the hands of his solicitor. THE BOARD’S ESTATE Sir Geo. Whitmore wrote offering to lease the blocks numbered Bto 23 on he plan of Tauwharepare, 19,800 acres, at £125 a year, he paying all rates to local bodies, provided the Board would give him on the acceptance of his offer a lease of thirty years, and un dertake to do its b-st to obtain Parliamentary permission to deal with their endowment under the provisions of the perpetutal lease clauses of the Laud Act. The Chairman said knowing that such an offer would be made, it would perhaps be best to comply with the Act, and submit the land to public offer. Mr Murphy said the offer was only for a portion of the block. The Chairman said it was for about half. Mr Clark supposed that would be the pick of the block. The Chairman said they could not accept the offer in any case. 14 u .w

the offer in any case. Mr Townley said the answer should be they could only lease the block in compliance with the provisions of the Act, Mr Murphy proposed the block be advertised for sale in lots of not leas than 5,000 acres, Mr Bennett seconded. By letting the block, even supposing thfl rental were they would get increased rates, and the value of the district’s stock and exports would be increased. Mr Murphy said in Sir George Whitmore s evidence before the House he had said they should get £l,OOO a year for the block. A proposal by Mr Sievewright that the Board act in accordance with a report of Messrs O’Byan and Dufaur, was not seconded. The time worn discussion was here renewed ; at last Mr Townley brought members to the point by saving that all that was required was to answer Sir G. Whitmore that the Act prevented their compliance with his offer, and as there seemed to be a difference of opinion as to what should be done, it would be better to further consider the matter, Mr Sievwright proposed an amendment that the letter be referred to a committee congisting of rhe Chairman and Messrs Murphy, Townley, an t the mover. There was no seconder, The motion was carried. Mr Sievwright being against. AN APPLICATION. A letter was received from Mr B, Boyle, stating that he had been discharged from the pilot service because he would not submit t > his wages being reduced from £6 to £4 a month, also stating that he had been iu the service altogether for thirteen years, rnd further asking for employment on the harbor works. The Chairman thought if there was a vacancy Mr Boyle should have the preference. He believed they should refer the letter to the overseer of works, expressing a desire that if possible Boyle be given employment. It was rather hard on him that after thirteen years’ service he should be thrown out of work, Mr Shelton said they should not tie the overseer’s hand in any way—if the overseer knew this man was a good one he would no

doubt give him work if opportunity occurred. After some discussion, in which the members of the Board thought a recommendation would be tantamount to an order, the Chairman said he did not think he could be thus misunderstood ; however, he would press the matter no further, though he did think it hard that after thirteen years’ service they would not even give the man a recommendation for employment if a vacancy occurred. TENLBBS FOB CEMENT. Messrs Johnston and Co., and Duthie, bqth of Wellington, tendered to supply the required cement. The Public Works Committee recommended the acceptance of the 1 itter's offer for 1100 casks. Mr Shelton moved that the tenders for cement be delayed for three days. Mr Matthewson seconded, Mr Bennett thought, though probably they had not done well in applying to only a few firms, their best course was to accept a tender now. On the matter being put to the vote there were in favor of Mr Shelton’s motion —Messrs Clark, Matthewson, Townley, and the mover. Against — Messrs B<-nnett, Sievw-ight, Murphy, and the Chairman. The Chairmat) also gave his castjqg vote against. habbobmastbr'b report. The Harbormaster, reported that he had taken soundings from different points ot the breakwater according to the instructions of the Board and a'so enclosing diagram of same. It was agreed to have a new fence erected in front of the Harbormaster’s cot. tags and also to have a cask buov placed to the westward of the breakwater. The arrivals during the fortnight were 16, departures 16, The report was adopted. xkcixbxr'b bbpobt.

On Saturday we finished the section on hand, and the breakwater is now 646 feet in length ; 546 feet of this has been built in eleven months. On 6'h inst, Mr McLoughlin, whose tender was accepted for the stone contract at last meeting, wrote to m a stating that he had omitted to include £454 in his tender, this beirg the price of the railway to the Island, and asked me to get Mr McLeod to continue delivering stone for a week—this has been done. Mr Mullans made a somewhat similar request on Bth inst. and I had arranged with Mr Grady to continue lor a week, but having re considered the matter he (Mr Mullane) b gan work this morning. The supply of cement having run short prices were asked from several firms and the tenders will be submitted to the Board. Tenders for coals come in also to-day. I have had soundings taken at the breakwater, The plan, although not quite finished, will be presented st the Board meeting. Sufficient time hag not elapsed to consider the matter thoroughly, but, generally speaking, there is now a greater depth of water than in 1885. before the work commenced, but there is a considerable accumulation of drift sand as compared with soundings in October 1887, caused by strong Westerly winds we have had lately and absence of heavy southerly seas, together with the fact that the flood tide now has to come in between the breakwater and Waikanqe beach, whereas formerly it came in from all directions aeaward, A groyne is provided in the original plan, but nothing has been done towards constructing it as it was hoped it would not be required. Mr McLoughlin, who was present, on being asked what was the nature of the assistance he desired, said he would like the Board to assist him in the extension of the tramway, or a slight increase on the price he had put in. Mr Sievwright Baid it seemed to him they had got to the position he had taken at the previous meeting. If McLoughlin had mads a mistake, he thought they should rei lieve him of the contract on hie paying the . expenses the Board had been put to, and i call for fresh tenders. They should not the pound 1. flash if * mistake hfel

been made. He moved accordingly, stipulating £25 as the amount of expenses.

Mr Clark said Mr McLoughlin had always carried out his contracts properly. Mr Shelton said he believed that Mr McLoughlin had accepted a hint thrown out at the previous meeting that if he made a mistake he would get indulgence from the Board. He had no doubt the contract would be carried out properly, and there was no wish to throw it up.

Mr Bennett said he did not believe Mr McLoughlin had any idea of throwing up the work—he simply asked for consideration which he (the speaker) did not think could be granted.

Mr Clark thought Mr McLoughlin was more competent to make out an estimate for the class of work than the ordinary run of engineers—he had always carried out his work well, and he believed he would do the same in this case. He did not think they could entertain the application for consideration.

The Engineer stated the contract had been duly signed. The matter was then dropped. ACCOUNTS.

Mr McLeod’s account was for £92 17s 2d, and the item gave rise to a long discussion as to whether this was a final payment on the contract. The Engineer said he intended to have a final settlement of accounts with McLeod before he had been paid for the work he was now doing. Mr Shelton and other members contended that was a private arrangement between Messrs McLeod and McLoughlin, and as the Board’s Engineer, Mr Thomson, should not have made that body liable by interfering with the matter. The Engineer understood it was simply a week's extension of McLeod’s contract, at the request of McLoughlin. Aft- r further discussion Mr Shelton mov’d that £5O be paid an account, but subsequently it was resolved on the motion of Mr Clark that £7O ba paid on account. STATE OF THE RIVER, Mr Shelton asked why the schooner Louie had not come into the river on ber last trip. The Harbormaster stated there was insufficient water to get the vessel to the wharf, This might be accounted for owing to there having been no floods, THE BOARD’S REQUIREMENTS. Mr Bennett moved in accordance with notice that any requirements over £5 be first submitted to the Board, except in case of emergency, Mr Clark seconded. Mr Sievwright opposed the motion and moved as an amendment that matters remain as they were. Mr Townley said with a tender system such as they had and fortnightly meeetings he thought things would better remain as they were. He seconded the amendment. Only the mover and seconder voted for the amendment, the motion therefore being carried, NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr Clark to move—That the resolution passed that the request to the Government that Tauwhareparae be brought under the perpetual lease system be rescinded. Mr Bennett to move—That specifications be [prepared by the Engineer for letting the construction of the breakwater in sections by contract. The Board to supply their existing plant and the contractor to take over the material at present constructed by the Board. The Board after receiving specifications to consider the desirability of letting the constrution in future by contract.

£ s d Washes Account ... 209 13 1 D. M. McLeod ... 70 0 0 Wingate, Burns and Co. ... 14 15 1 Brown and Smaill... ... 10 0 0 G. Humphreys ... 10 0 0 J. Grady ... 8 12 0 W. King ... 5 8 0 Audit Fee ... 5 0 0 A. R. Muir ... 3 7 3 Norwich Union Company ... 2 2 6 Gas Company ... 2 7 6 Weighbridge Fee ... ... 1 0 0