PATEA HARBOR BOARD.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 417, 16 April 1879, Page 2

PATEA HARBOR BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the above Board was held at the Secretary’s office, on Monday last. Present: Messrs Sherwood (chairman), Milroy, Gibson, Bahnforth, and Adams. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Mr James Sonthcombo having sent in his resignation as a member of the Board, it was resolved that.the same be accepted. In reply to a letter from the Manager of the Patea S. S. Company, as to the depth of water on tlic bar on Saturday, 29th March, and also as to whether the Patea steered the course as directed by the Pilot; and further whether there was any obstruction in the channel to cause the loss of the steamer’s fans—it was resolved to semi a copy of the Harbor Master’s report for the past month. Proposed by Mr Bahnforth, seconded by Mr Gibson, and carried, “ That the lower wharf.be made available for shipping sheep and pigs as early ns possible.” It was resolved that the Secretary apply to the acting wharfinger for a detailed account of all imports and exports to ami from this port since his appointment. The following reports were road: Patea Harbour Engineer's Office, April, 1879. Gentlemen, —Owing to the present advanced slate of the substructure of the breakwater, and the stones,leposited ahead of the work by the barge, the river runs straight out to sea in a moderately wide channel. This will give sailing vessels a much better chance of coming in than formerly, on account of the usual westerly winds. One of the most important signs of improvement due to the present direct channel is “ the lowering of the low water line”— that is, at low water, the water falls from eighteen inches to two feet farther than formerly ; or in other words, it gives an increased rise and fall in the river, as well as increasing the scour over the bar by the extra quantity of water which passes over. I In anficipaton of Sir John Goode’s report, wo might now make a survey with soundings of the river from the Bluff to cement store, so as to have information ready in connection with the training wall between those points. . As the sand has formed an island dividing the river into two shallow channels, it will be necessary to do something there very soon. The stone deposited ahead of the work has had the desired effect.; the scour is stopped for the present. Mr Aitchison has finished the lighthouse in a very substantial manner. Wo had great difficulty with the painting, on account of flies, sand, and dust, and were forced to give it an extra coat ; also to put up a paling to keep cattle off. The repairs of wharf would have been completed to-day, but for a vessel, which prevents the men getting at their work. The certificate for payment on account of work at breakwater is for £4OO. We find it very difficult sometimes to get stone, on account of the sand and bad tides —one week the horses were idle five days. I have the honor to 1 be Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, ■ John Thomson, 8.E., Engineer to Board. The Harbor-Master reported that a few days after ho sent in last report, the channel was close to * the bonldcrbanlc ; but on the 24th March, a new one broke out a little to the southward of groin. The south channel not closing up, and a heavy sea running in for several days, kept both bar and channel very shallow. There was 4ft 6in. of water on bar and in channel, and 7ft. at end of breakwatei, at neap tides ; B£t. on bar and in channel, and 12ff. at end of breakwater, at spring tides. Width from breakwater to north spit, 50 feet at neap tides and 80 feet at spjt&ig tides. A fresh had come down the m%r on the sth of the present month, and forced a straight channel through the north spit, with 11 feet of water on bar and in channel at spring tides, and Bft< at

neap tides. Twenty-three vessels had crossed the bar during March, four of this number at night. Tonnage, about 1,150. Accounts were passed for payment and the meeting adjourned.