New Plymouth Harbour Board.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7799, 15 April 1905, Page 2

New Plymouth Harbour Board.

Ihe New Plymouth Harbour Board met on I-nday. I„ the absence of the Chairman (Mr J. B. Connett) Mr Newton King presided, and there were also present : Messrs McLean, fhomson, Hornby, nine, and Prica. —Consolidation of Acts.— Messrs Govett and Quilliam, tho Boards solicitors, wrote that tho proposal of the Justice Department to consolidate the Acts affecting the Board should be given effect to. The advice was approved, and ordered to be given effect to. —Experimental Tests.— Mr J. S. M. Jacobsen, Nelson, wrote thanking the Hoard for the frco gift of 30 tons of beach sand for experimenting purposes. | . —Coal Contract.— Mr G. 11. Stubbs wrote in reply to the Board's communication relative to his coal supply contract and requesting the Board to carry out its agreement. After some discussion the matter was referred to tho works committee for report. —New Light.— The Marine Department notified that a notice to mariners regarding the increased light at the Harbour had been prepared, and would be gazetted. —Fire Insurance.— The general manager of the State Fire Insurance Department wrote asking the Board to send any fire insurances in their sphere of influence to the State office. Consideration was deferred until next meeting. —Trade.— The harbourmaster (Captain Hood) reported that during the four weeks ending April 12 there were 41 berthings of steamers, and one of sailing vessels. The aggregate gross tonnage amounted to 40,102 tons. The imports were 3810 tons, including 161 tons of railway coal and' 689 tons of local coal. The exports nmounted to 1203 tons, making a total of 5013 tons of carim handled. —Dredging.—

It was mentioned in the harbourmaster's report that during the four weeks fine weather and moderate sea.i had been experienced. The dredge worked 21 days, making 337 trips, and removed 20,220 cubic yards of sand and silt. During the month the dredge had been employed in removing the shallow patches. The soundings made show a more uniform' bottom, and a marked improvement in tho depths throughout the harbour. ' li, was intended to place,the dredge on' thp "gridiron" for repairs, painting, and cleaning, for several days. —Sand Drifts and Marram flrass.— The District Commissioner 0 ; r.ands informed the Hoard that Ihe marram grass was not being supplied to local bodies free of cost, but only to settlers who were willing to plant the same. —Cost -of Hope.— Thp Board having received a consignment ,}f Caltiu(.ta rope, a statement asked for was laid on thp table, showing the comparative cost of ropes tnade in -New Zealand and Calcutta. The. figures set out : Weight, Now Zealand, s!)cwi :iqrs 101b, Calcutta 6(lcwt ftp's IBTb ,; price. New Zealand £l2B IDs Id. Calcutta £73 16s 6d ; freight, New Zealand £4 2s (id, Calcutta £29 19s Ud ; total cost at New Plymouth for New Zealand rope, £132 15s 7d, Calcutta, £lO3 16s (id ; cost per ton, New Zealand rope, £44 10s ; Calcutta rope, £3O 18s 4d. It was jiofjxl thaj. thp ppicp of New Zenland ropp had at, timcp been us high as £47 per ton. ■"-Forcinun,— On the recommendation of the engineer, it was agreed to increase tho foreman's wages to £1 Ids per week, Mr Henderson being engaged long hours, and directing the working Ppe):atlonif an |hp |>renkwnter extension, etc., in a manner tho);ough|v satisfactory to. the engineer. .-Company's, Office.-? Regarding thp Un|on Stpam Ship Company's application for per-mls-= sion to erect a small Qfilpe on the wharf, the engineer reported on tho most suitable site. This was approved or, amj the cowpauv's