HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 434, 27 March 1890, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

Ax ordinary meeting of the above was held on Tuesday evening, present: The Chairman, and Messrs Chambers, Clark, Townley, DeLatour, and Shelton. Captain Bennett, Harbormaster, recommended that the fligstaff be replaced, it having fallen into decay, and that the light on the Waikanae be raised ten feet. Mr Chambers moved that the recommendations be agreed to. Mr Shelton asked that the motion be de ferred until he had introduced the matter of the revenue of the Board, which required very careful consideration. Mr Chambers urged that they wnuld be compelled to attend to the matters suggested in any ease. Mr Townley pointed out that the Harbormaster said the trouble was mainly in regard to 'be day time. Mr Chambers said he bad no wish to push the motion. The Harbormaster also recommended that another light be placed on each n’ the big bridges, because the other lights outshone the luminous paint. The members considered thev would not be justified in going to any such expense, Mr Chambers saying he thought th° master of any vessel ought to be able to navigate the river all right after he bad been up it several times.

The matter was left in abeyance. The Engineer stated that Messrs Wingate. Burns and Co. wished to purchase 25 tons of the cement. Mr Shelton said it was an objectionable thing for the Board to retail cement in competition with business people in the town. Mr Townley wanted to know whether there had not been a careful estimate made, and a calculation that there would be no cement left on hand. The Engineer replied that when the cement was ordered he was under the impression there was more money to spend p The memorandum of the interview with Ministers was read, showing that the replies of Ministers had been very favorable. xsoiksra s report : wittDisa up. Owing to the unfavorable weather the section of breakwater on hand st last meeting is not finished vet—when completed the length will be 1093 feet top m“asurement. The manager of the Union Steamship Company, Gisborne, informs me that the captains of the Company’s steamers complain that the red beacon on Waikanae beach is too low and requires painting, also that being square in outline it is difficult to distingui-h it from a house. This b=«oon and the flagstaff are the leading marks for vessels coming in, and vessels in the road-t«ad use is as a guide to secure anchorage. The breakwater is so far seawards that it cuts thia line, making it more difficult in dull weather tn pick up the marks. It is advisable to attend to this—the cost would be small. As decided at last meeting I have made an estimate of tbe best mode of emending the remainder of the breakwater fund now in hand. The result is as follows;—From unavoidable circumstances about £l5OO • f the harbor fond will not be available till the latter end of ths year. Taking this into account and estimating tbe payments for to-dav and the balance of cement to come from Mr Duthle, we will only have £3970 cash to go on with instead of £5459. Tn this add cement and blocks

veined at £5870 and we have a total of £9840, cash end material available, wh'ch when expended will make a total of £98.574 expended on works and material. Estimating for laying up the plant, continuing the training wall out 300 feet extra and continuing the breakwater to 1213 feet, there would be a balance left of £540 worth of cement; this with the refund from the general account would leave £2OOO towards the end of the year. Oo the other hand if we stop work at 1183 feet there would be a balance of £455 cash and £1125 cement, or £3OOO after refund from general account. In order to make the breakwater as useful as possible, the railing line might be carried from the blockvard along the aide of the present road and over the small bridge, terminating near the County road at the Turanganui bridge, and 'he small cement shed might be erected at the same place. This would co«t about £BOO. and would be very convenient for goods or passengers linded at the breakwater. I do not think it would be advisable to continue the training wall beyond the distance estimated, a total length of 800 feet, as it would not be required when the harbor is finished, as a solid groyne and and wharf is provided commencing near Grey street and going into deep water under shelter cf concrete work. It wonld also be inadvisable to make any alteration of a permanent na'ure at the end of the breakwater, with the idea of giving present shelter to vessels lying at the pier, but a temporary timber structure, filled with rubble stone, could be fixed there, cos'ing about £BOO. This could be easily removed when work recommences, and in the meantime would cut off a considerable per'ion of the swell in rough weather from vessels lying alongside. Taking into account that tbe refund from General Account will not be available for some months, I am of opinion that the best course to take is as follows:—Stop block, making, finish laying the blocks made, which will make the breakwater 1,183 ft, finish the training wall, to tbe original intend' d length, first, afterwards extend it 300 ft, extend the railway to the bridge, and remove the back cement shed, and lastly construct the timber structure at the pier head. Tb< ss works are placed in order of importance; it would be inadvisable to leave blocks unset, because it would be practically imonssible, except at probably double tbe cost, to get men together, and plant in working order, to ern<truct a few sections of breakwater. The extension of training wall, for which £1.200 is

estimated, could be provided for at once; if not rhen, in a few months the will come in, and it could be done. other two works, nt £BO3 each, are in the same posi'ion—they would cost no more to construct in a few months than at present, and my estimate shows that not including the two last mentioned works nor reckoning on refu id from gene-rl account, we should have £l5BO on h -nd when all tbe blocks are laid and the training wall extension made. There was much discussion as to the form in which the cccoants were made np, and bow the available amount was arrived at. The Becre'sry said the actual balance to spend was £3 970. In reply to the Chairman, the Secretary said there was £l6OO due to the Pub'ic Trip tee, and it was possible he would deduct the amount from the £3,970. Mr Shelton reckoned up, taking the Engi neer’s figures, that tbe expenditure would erme to £6056 as against what would really be £3061.

The Engineer remarked that there would be £1125 worth of cement on hand. The Chairman said judging by Mr Shelton’s figures, the Engineer’s seemed to be wrong. In reply to Mr DeLantonr, Mr Shelton said ha was reckoning on ge ting the island from the Trustee. After consider!Lie discussion and calculation, Mr Shelton suggested 'hat in so complicated a matter tbe Finance Committee ought to b' instructed to report on the position. He did not think in a nv’R of the kind the thing should be placed before them piecemeal. J MrDeLin’onrsaid there were only a few' figures and be did not see why they could not be clearly explained. After allowing for the payment to the Trustee it seemed they could not reckon honestly on more than £2,300, deducting the £l6OO. The Chairman said he concluded that if the proposed works be carried out, tbe funds would just come out square, with the cement in

Mr Shelton asked whether the extension of the training wall was not necessary to make UM of what had already been done. The Engineer said the ex'ension was required, but could not be made if there was not tbe money to do it with. Mr Clark wanted to know how the Engineer came to recommend a railway line, etc, when nothing was mentioned in regard to these things in the first es'imate as to winding up. He understood that they really had nothing more io spend than what would finish what they were now doing. Ths Engineer said ths new recommendations wan nggMtad to to done as the money Mtns tot

The Chairman said it seamed they must leave undone one of the proposed sections. Mr Chambers urged that they should not leave the blocks lying there. Mr Shelton considered it would be better to leave 'he blocks lie for the time being. It cost money to lay each block down, and it would not be wise to enter upon such further expenditure for no return. The Chairman said the matter really was that if the work cnnld not be made use nf now ano'her 100't would not make it any better. Mr Shelton asked whether if the training wall was not continued, would not the sand silt np round the work ’ The Engineer said tbe extension would be prefer -hie, but he thought when the presen length of the wall was completed it would be of service.

Mr Shelton said the report before them was not what he had expected. He thong't they should go no further with the pier. He asked wonld it not be possible to make a quay with some of the blocks on hand, so as to give smooth water

The Engineer said the crane would not reach far enough. Mr Clark thought they should make an effort to get the pier out as far as possible. He would propose that the Finance Committee confer with the officers as to the figures placed before the Board, and see that they were verified, so that they would know exactly what they cou'd do. He remarked that the figures previously given did not agree with those presented that night. He disapproved of the proposal to make a quay with the blocks.

Mr Townley asked the Engineer how long it wonld take to complete the training wall to the length originally proposed. The Engineer said the blooklaying and wall wonld be completed in three months. Mr Clark’s motion was seconded by Mr Shelton.

Mr Clark said at the previous meeting he hqd been in favor of the pier being continued for another section, but the new figures addneed proved that it would not be as then thought, with a substantial balance left in hand

Mr DsLautour could not see why anolher meeting was necessary. It seemed that they must, arrive at only one conclusion with the figures before them—£2,3oo or £2,400 to spend—that they must stop the pier. It was certain thev could not continue with tbe present rate nf expenditure. Mr Chambers agreed that nothing would be gained by delay. He confessed that he had been disappointed in what he considered to be their position. They must simply stop block making, but be thought they should lay down what blocks there were in hand.

Mr Shelton said if the members were agreed on the matter, the motion was unnecessary. He agreed with Mr Chambers, excepting that he believed it would he wiser to leave the blocks lie for the time being, instead of going to he expense of putting them down.

The Chairman considered that there was no alternative, and he did not see any use in having another meeting in regard to the matter.

Mr Chambers said he had favored placing the blocks, because the Engineer explained it could be done cheeper when they had their service organised. He believed that they must be of use if put down—that every additional vard completed would be of effect. Mr DeLautour considered it wnuld only be waste of money putting the blocks down if they had no prospect of going on further. Mr Clark said it would be a pity to leave the blocks lying there as a monument of folly.

The Chairman and Mr DeLautour thought tbe blocks would be of more value above ground.

Mr Chambers contended that the work had not yet had an opportunity of proving itself. Mr Clark withdraw his motion, Mr DeLautour moving that £650 be spent on the training wall, blockmaking to be stopped, and tbe plant laid up. Mr Shelton seconded. In reply to Mr Chambers. Mr DeLautour said ha considered the blocks being left above ground would ba a more eloquent appeal for the future, than for them to be placed under water for no present purpose. Mr Clark moved, and Mr Chambers seoonded. an amendment that £750 be expended in utilising the blocks on hand. Only the proposer and seconder voted for the amendment, and only Messrs Clark and Chambers being opposed to the motion it was carried.

Mr Townley again asked how long the completion of the training wall wonld take—would it be a long job ? The Engineer: The sooner we knock rff the other work we will get our foreman at it, and get it done quicker. The Chairman remarked that tho progress of the work would depend a good deal on tbe weather.

It was resolved that the rate for the ensuing year be the same as at present. Mr Shelton moved that the Finance Committee be requested to present a report to the Board, showing in what way the expenses of the Board ’can be entailed so as to come within the revenue for the current year. Mr Chambers seconded.

The motion was carried unanimously. In reply to a question by Mr Townley the Engineer said the river was deepening near the end of the groin, but there was no improvement in depth further out. Mr Townley remarked that this was a bad feature because at the end of the pier there would be almost still water.

With regard to the cement it was under stood that the beet terms possible should be obtained for it, and it was agreed that the Board would have to take through the Customs the later consignments which had arrived. PAYMENTS. Auditor General £7, H. M. Customs £23 2s 83, Wharfinger £l6 13=41. Harbor Master £l6 13s 41, Seeretarv £8 6 ; 83, Weighbridge keeper £l, A. Muir £ll 18s, Borough Conned £2 ss, A. Willis £3 16s 23, F. Hall £l4s, Duty on cement £l3 ss. Wages £274 8s 53, Duthie and Co. £285 3s 61, P. McLoughlin £24 10s 3d. H. E. Johnston £l4 13s 91. D. McLeod £3, F Hicks £4 Bs, W King £8 15s Id, Wingate, Borns and Co., £lB 4s 4d, Brown and Smaill £5 15s 83, Kennedy and Evans £2B Ils 83.