HARBOR BOARD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 45, 23 February 1914, Page 7

HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. At Hie monthly meeting of the New PlyiiiOuth Harbor Board on Friday last there were present: Messrs. J. iB. Connett (in the chair), Newton King, E. Doc-krill, C. A. Wilkinson, 1). J. Hughes, and J. Marx. Apologies were received from Messrs C. E. Bellringer and J. McCluggage. Harbor Master’s Report. The Harbor Master (Capt. u. Waller) reported that during the 5 weeks ending February 14, 28 steamships of an aggregate tonnage of 28,850 tons had entered the port, and 29 steamships totalling '29,281 tons had cleared. The imports amounted to 9149 tons, 4419 tons .of. (wdi;ich • was coal; 2181 tons for private use and 93d tons for -the Railway,r DepartinonU' The .exports ainousiteclt to 2972 , tons; making a total Of 12142'1 tons handled,. The bank inside the breakwater had been much reduced since the last time the harbor was sounded. Superintendent’s Report. The Superintendent, (Mr F. Henderson) reported thar a similar period, the Pa.rinptn. |iad dredged, only on 2.J- 'days, , January 12, 13, and 14, and removed 15 loads with the sand pumps,- making;a totjjl of 6000 tons. Preparations were then made for the voyage to Wellington for overhaul, and the vessel arrived in Wellington on January !8, after a smooth passage of -23 hours. Work on the slips had occupied five days and consisted mainly of drawing the tail shafts, replacing “spares,” relining the stern bushes and the protecting and strengthening of the plates under the bows by cover strips rivetted over the landings; repair and adjustment of hopper door chains, and the usual cleaning and coatipg of hull, chopper and bilges. At the wharf, a general overhaul of the main engines, condenser, pump, deck winches and hoists, changing the top and bottom tumblers, and extensive repairs to the mud chute wore the principal works. Owing to wet weather the return of the dredge had been delayed, but dredging was eventually resumed on February 17, at the finishing cut parallel to the wharf. The dredge Thomas King worked at the breakwater bank on 27 days, net time 270 hours, and removed 182 loads of sand equal to 15,460 tons. This dredge was now being dismantled, and the boilers were being taken out to enable repairs to ho effected to the floor plates, reverse Frames, and boiler seats. She-would'probably be out of commission tor five weeks. The staff had boon engaged in preparing renewal piles for the wharf, in repairing wharf chafing pieces and piles, painting cranes, and storing and assorting plant and stores in the new sheds. General. Accounts amounting to CI4OT Os ild wore passed for payment.“News.”