AFFAIRS AT PORT.

Patea Mail, 11 October 1882, Page 2

AFFAIRS AT PORT.

The pilot submitted the following report at the Harbor Board meeting on Monday : The depth of water on the bar these last spring tides was about ten feet, but the neaps have been very poor, only showing four feet six inches on the gauge, but on the bar there must have been two feet more. The width of the channel at the outer end of the breakwater. is about 90 feet. The channel over the bar is in the same direction as when I took charge. The surf-boat requires several new timbers and some of her planking taken out and replaced. I should recommend putting on good strong bilge pieces to keep off the chafing when lying on the ground, and a good coat of paint inside and out. The small boat requires new frames and fastenings, and one of her planks taken out and replaced. The wharfinger requested me to report that the rowlocks were his, and he would require 2s 6d for them. The flagstaff should be removed from its present position to the hill by the lighthouse, so that vessels may be steered by semaphore, which is legal, and not by dog vane, which is illegal. If strangers come to the port they will look to be steered by semaphore, and if they get on shore I believe we are responsible. The house requires papering and painting, and locks for the doors, and four panes of glass put into the windows. The Wakatu, on entering the harbor on the I9lh September, grounded on the west side. She had the use of two Manilla lines for two days, and the large warp one day. On returning the lines I found that one had been parted, and only twenty-two fathoms instead of sixty returned, John Flowerday, Harbormaster. The Chairman reported that he bad given instructions to have the surf boat repaired, as it was urgently needed. The cost would be rather more than he thought, but the planks were eaten through in all directions. She also wanted painting, and there were no rowlocks. In reply to Mr Adams, the Chairman said that the cost of removing the flagstaff would be £lO, and of repairing the fencing, £8 17s. It would be the cheapest thing in the end to remove the flagstaff. With regard for papering the rooms he had an estimate for that. The, rooms were filthy, and there were no locks on the doors. The cost of papering the rooms would be £4 10s. Other repairs were needed, involving an expenditure of some five pounds. • Mr Adams enquired if the Shipping Company had paid anything to the Board. The Secretary said that an account for £5 10s had been rendered, but it was not yet paid. The report having been received, it was proposed by Mr Aitcbison, seconded by Mr Gane, and carried, that the following works be authorised “ Remove the flagstaff; repair the Pilot’s house ; repair the surf boat and small boat, all as recommended in the Pilot’s report, cost not to exceed £3O; and that the Secretary arrange with the Patea Steam Shipping Company about the ropes damaged, and the anchor not returned by the Company.”