HARBOR BOARD

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 640, 30 July 1891, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD

As ordinary meeting of tbe above was held on Tuesday evening. Present: The Chairman (Mr Townley), and Messrs Sievwright, Bright, Shelton, DeLautour, Matthewson and Joyce. In regard to a cheque of £l5 from H, Lewis, which had been found in the office, a demand bad been made on that gentleman, but be said that £5 of the amount had been paid off tbe cheque. Mr Shelton eaid that a figure 5 was on the back of the cheque. After some little discussion it was decided, on tbe motion of Mr DeLautour, to accept the £lO if Mr Lewis made a declaration to be filed on the Board’s records, that the amount of £5 had been paid. Messrs McEwan and Co., Sydney, wrote acknowledging receipt of information regardingthe machinery. The Wharfinger reported that tbe decking of tbe wharf urgently required attention, tome of the planks having given way, and spikes on the joists being dangerous to horses.—Matter left to Chairman. The Harbormaster made his usual report. Tbe sandbank at the training wall had nearly disappeared, leaving stones that had been washed out and required removal. Some mean thief bad stolen a pair of signal halyards from the signal staff. Soundings that day at high water were : —3oft out from end of breakwater, in line with breakwater 22ft 6in, end of breakwater 21ft, halfway up to 8.8 Snark’s landing 10ft, Snark’s landing 10ft 6in, large crane Bft, black buoy at mouth of Waikanae, eastern side, Bft. This shows a great improvement in the river. Tn reply to Mr Shelton the Chairman said that Mr Thomson did not know in what direction the sand had gone—the bar further out bad flattened down to an extent. The river generally was much better. Mr DeLautour made a report from those who had attended the Commission on the Taruheru footbridge and objected to the Board being saddled with any cost.—The Chairman moved and Mr Shelton seconded that the report be adopted.—Carried. TH® wonks. A telegram from Mr Kelly to the Chairman was read. He stated that Messrs Carroll, Arthur and Kelly had interviewed the Premier) Government refused to advance any money on the the plant, as they had no power to do so without placing the money on the estimate, and the House would refuse to pass it. Mr Ballance suggested that a petition be prepared and sent down, quoting Mr O'Connor's scheme. The Chairman said that on receipt of the telegram he bad seen Mr DeLautour, and as tbe petition was wanted immediately, the Committee had signed and sent the memorial read, in which it was stated that the Board approved of an advance upon Mr O'Connor's scheme. The Chairman said there had been no time to call the Board together, or get signatures to the petition. The thing was wanted in a hurry, and the Committee had acted on the instructions given them by the Board. Mr Joyce: Who are the Committee P The Chairman : Mr DeLautour, Mr Arthur, and myself. Mr Joyce ; What is done in that was not the wish of the Board. The Chairman: I say there was no time to call the Board together—it was an emergency in which the Committee had to act, and it is now for the Board to gay whether they will carry it out. Mr Shelton : I think it better to confirm the action of the Committee —they have just carried out the instruction of the Board to do their best. We should now confirm it, and if the Board decide afterwards upon any other action it won’t piatter. I move that the Committee's report be confirmed, Mr Bright seconded—he thought they might go a little further afterwards, and discuss the position, with a view to placing some minute on the records of the Board, to show tbe opinion of the majority. Mr Joyce : Tbere are some sentences in tbe report that tbe Board did not authorise. The Chairman : Do you approve of the report ? Mr Joyce: Some of it—not all. The Chairman: Well, it can be discussed afterwards. Mr Sievwright said the Committee had no doubt done their best, but he thought it was a pity to petition Parliament, committing the Board to any particular scheme, when the Board had not yet disposed of tbe question. He did not suppose it was done designedly, but unfortunately it was done, not in accordance with any wish expressed by the Board. When they went to Parliament and said they wanted to carry out Mr O’Connor’s scheme it meant that they were committed to it.

The Chairman : Mr Kelly expressly mentions Mr O'Connor’s scheme—saying to quote from Mr O’Connor’s report, Mr Joyce: Quoting from O’Connor’s report and pledging yourself to it are two different

things. Mr Sievwright considered the Committee had acted very satisfactorily, except in the one respect— it might have been an oversight, but it was one of some consequence. Mr DeLautour • I should decline to admit it was an oversight so far as I am concerned. Mr Bright read a minute to the effect that the Committee should take any action they thought fit. Mr DeLautour considered there was no use discussing the matter, or they would have two debates on the one subject. The Chairman said tbe report could be adopted, and the matter then discussed. Mr Joyce described that argument as something similar to the argument used concerning the structure before'jt was thrust on them. He did not see why they should be bound by What they had not authorised. The Chairman mentioned that the minute quoted by Mr Bright had been confirmed. Mr Joyce: Many things are confirmed here that are irregular, Mr Bright: You ought to object to them then, Mr Joyce : I apt only a sjngle individual— I do not think the Board ever intended to bind itself to Q'Connor’s scheme. The report wax confirmed, Messrs Sievwright and Joyce asking that their dissent be recorded in respect to tbe point about Mr O’Connor's scheme. Mr DeLautour, in moving a resolution, explained that why he bad said there was no oversight so far as he was opnpemed was that Mr Kelly had communicated with them for the second time, giving no hope at all, and then he adviced them to send down a petition in favor of the scheme which the Government Engineer had approved of. This would be well supported, and he (the speaker) had therefore no hesitation in jumping at the chance. They would not have been doing their duty if they did not try and put tbe Boqrd in the position of getting assistanceeven then the majority pf the Board would not be bound to accept that assistance, but as the matter was now before the House, it was necessary to make up their minds upon something and do the best they could. He himself had no strong opinion in favor of any particular scheme. He moved—- “ In the opinion of the Board the scheme of Mr O'Connor for the utilization of the present work should be undertaken subject to such modification as the Board after full Consideration yvivh the sanction of the government may approve. ‘ Provided I—1. That a grant or loan of not less than £12.000 can be obtained from ths Government in aid of euoh works. 8. That no portion of the aum of £95,000 invested at interest bp withdrawn, in aid of cost or as security for such cost, and the Board resolve accordingly.” On fully conslderng the whole thing the view he took was that if they could get £l2,ooo—perhaps only a loan ip tbe first instance, but capable of being converted into a grant absolute at some not fiietant date—the plant not essential for each works would put them in sufficient funds to get a harbor capable of being furpished with wharves suitable for vessels for five or six years to come, Tbey should put aside tbe question of whether a better work eould not originally have been obtained, and ought to grasp the position of things. The gain in lighterage alone would be a reward for the enterprise, quite apart from the facilities given for shipping. Even if tbey only got 1? feet depth of water tbey would have harbor facilities more than justifying the Uii now proposed. As to the objection

that the work would interfere with some possible extension of Mr Thomson's original line, it seemed to him that those who supported Mr Thomson must admit that he had made a mistake in regard to the site, probably influenced by pressure put upon him by the Board itself. There was no reasonable prospect of any extension of the breakwater aa it is, and therefore the extension of a work which was not now practicable or possible, was hardly an adequate reason for standing in the way of the district getting a harbor for all reasonable requirements. He had also made up his mind that the work would not prejudice any chance of some scheme at Stony Point—it would improve it, for when they began to attract trade by the facilities offered, and the district continued to increase in production, they would be accelerating tbe time when a larger scheme would oome within the range of practicability, and the smaller work would prevent the necessity of using tbe base of any outer scheme. Regarding a harbor of refuge those who bad travelled in the large ocean-going boats knew that they could face (any weather if they could get out to sea, and it was only for the smaller boats that had not power to get out to sea that any harbor of refuge was required. He could flod no chance of more practical accommodation at present than that offered by Mr O'Connor’s scheme, which had the imprimatur of a first-class engineer who was not now in the colony, and who could not be headed by any other Engineer in the Government service for there was no one could do so. If they could accept the proposal for an inner harbor, they would be wise to go with a united front to Government, and try and get what assistance—which was only possible if they were united—was within their reach. Mr Sievwright contended that there should be notice of the motion, in accordance with the usual order of business. If he had known it was coming on he would have been better prepared to speak on the subject. Mr DeLautour held that it was a continuation of business at several previous meetings, and the Chairman upheld this view.

Mr Joyce strongly urged that notice was required. The whole thing was new to them as far as this petition was concerned. The Chairman adhered to his ruling. Members knew that communication was being made with Parliament. If they had to give notice in the way suggested, when holding monthly meetings, how could they ever get their business transacted ? Mr Bright seconded tne motion, saying that no arguments were required to supple ment those of Mr DeLautour. It was important that if the iron should be struck, it should be done while the session of Parliament was on, and some definite expression of opinion be given. Mr Sievwright moved as an amendment that tbe Board was not in a position to adopt Mr O'Connor’s report, and that the consideration of it be deferred until next meeting. If other members had made special preparation for discussing the subject at that meeting he had not. Mr O'Connor himself only said that there seemed reason to expect that his scheme would give 10 to 12 feet at low water, and 15 to 17 feet at high water. Mr Bright at a former meeting had accused the Board of having no policy. There was a time when they had a policy, after a hard fight, and he was not prepared to depart from the position that the scheme of Mr Thom'on, approved of by Mr Blackett and Mr Higginson, and sanctioned by the Marine Department, was a satisfactory one if carried out. Mr O'Connor's opinion only showed that engineers might differ, but he believed that he could show from Mr O'Connor's own report that the conclusions he had arrived at were not warranted by the data. The only thing open to him (tbe speaker) was to say that it seemed they were rushing too fast, and ought to be more judicious in this matter. Tbey should not make it appear to the House that they accepted Mr O'Connor’s report when they bad not really considered it.

Mr Joyce seconded the amendment, considering it very reasonable. It was not right for the Board to guarantee a report which Mr O'Connor did not guarantee himself, but if he did guarantee it he thought it would be Inadvisable to push the matter on at that meeting. He also noticed that there was to be a public meeting—he did not know how it originated—and he thought it would be well on that account to defer the matter, as he had been told that this was the subject that was to be discussed.

Mr Shelton supported the motion, saying that the report had long been before the Board, and members ought to have been thoroughly acquainted with it. He had been speaking to Captain Kennedy, who was considered a good practical authority on harbor matters, and he believed that the work would be thoroughly satisfactory. It was their duty to do the best they could, and by carrying this thing though the Board had everything to gain and nothing to lose, the cement and other material on hand being of little value to sell.

Mr Matthewson did not feel pleased at having to set himself against those who had supported the scheme, but he must act on his opinion, which was that this scheme would be as abortive as Mr Thomson’s. The latter be had opposed all through, and now 99 out of every 100 persons considered that it was a proved abortion. He bad not carefully studied the report, but had held long converse with Mr O’Connor, by which he could judge of his ideas, and he felt convinced that while the scheme might be of temporary benefit, it would soon cost more for dredging than would be gained by tbe facilities given. He bad, from what he had seen, little confidence in engineers in New Zealand. It they could get tho scheme carried out without costing the district anything he would offer no objection to it, but he feared (ha( gny grant made would have to he recouped io some Tne Chairman was astonished at the position taken up by Mr Matthewson, who condemned the authorised scheme, but was not prepared to do anything else to further the interest of the district— he was not prepared to improve the harbor, Mr Matthewson: I don’t want another abortion. The Chairman continued that Mr O'Connor expressed the opinion that the present line would be too expensive because it would require a wall on the west side, Mr Sievwright; That is only one man's opinion.

The Chairman : It is an opinion supported by Sir J qhn Goode, He believed the proposed work would prove a very beneficial one. The Harbormaster in his report gave a depth of SI feet at the end of the breakwater, and they should have that depth if the apace was confined. He twitted members who had, at the previous meeting, blamed the Committee for not being more active, and now blamed them for taking action. £Mr Sievwright: There is action and action.] Tbey had taken action, but unfortunately they had not got the £12,000. They had acted in the matter to the best of their ability. If they were to get anything it wsb necessary to place something definite before the Government. Had the objectors placed anything before the Board, or were they prepared to do so ? They would not be able to go in for a big harbor for at least seven years, and even in that time Mr O'Connor’s work would pay for itself, always Being a good harbor for the smaller craft. The speaker went on to show that a harbor at a distance from the town would entail many charges, and an extenSive scheme of £150,000 would not pay when it would only save £2OOO a year in lighterage, and the work already done would not ba turned to account. The alternative from Mr O’Connor’s scheme would mean euch an excessive annual charge that he was quite sure that the ratepayers would not submit to it, and in any expenditure of the kind the rating, they might be sure, would fall solely on the special district, believed that something on the lines of r O'Connor’s scheme would give them a harbor which would allow of goods being discharged inside, The amendment was lost, Messrs Sievwright, Joyce, and Matthewson voting for it, and the other members against, Mr Joyce moved a (further amendment, that the approval or otherwise of Mr O Connor’s scheme be left to the public meeting on Thursday night, but there was no seconder, Messrs Sievwright and Matthewson saying they thought it would not be proper to delegate their 'duties tn a public meeting, though they might be guided by that.

The motion was carried, Messrs DeLautour, Bright, Shelton, and the Chairman supporting it, and Messrs Joyce, Sievwright, and Matthewson voting against. It was also decided to telegraph the resolution to Mr Kelly. OTHER MATTERS. At the suggestion of the Chairman it was decided to call for tenders for alterations to the wharf so as to make arrangements for the Board’s office. The following accounts were passed for payment:—Cablegrams £2 18s, summons foes £3, Borough Council £24 7s fid, sundries 13s 9d, H. J. Finn £2 12s 4d, A. Thompson £l2 9s fid, J. W. Witty £lfi 13s 4d, Wages £4 12s, Clayton and Sawyer £3 Ils fid. Mr Joyce, in speaking on the motion re storage of goods, said that there ought to be only one key for the Board’s store, to be kept by the Wharfinger. He had good reasons to believe that at present there were two keys kept. They should make the shed as beneficial to the Board as possible.—lt was decided to ask the Wharfinger whether storage had been paid on good stored in the store. On Mr Shelton’s motion it was decided to hold the Board’s meetings fortnightly, instead of monthly as hitherto. A second motion by Mr Shelton to rescind the motion re eale of plant, was allowed to stand over till there was a fuller meeting.