NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8033, 20 January 1906, Page 2

NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY*" MEKTUXG. The montlily meeting of the Xew Plymouth Hiu'lior Board was hell on Friday. Present: Messrs J. B. Connett (Oliairnitm), ISewton King, li. Price, .1. Ward, W. Hornby, J. Tim up. son, Geo. McLean, anil .1. Mine. VOUEMAX's ItKPOHT. Tlio foreman (Mr F. Henderson) submitted bis report for the past month. In it, lie stated that the breakwater extension lias been carried out another 12ft since the beginning of the year, the total length of the new work being 111 ft (Sin. On the authority of the Chairman, a new steel wire rope had been obtained for the heavy liftings. Twenty-one piles have been driven in the wharf extension, comprising three bags. Xo decking has been done during the mouth, as the contractor has failed to send any limber forward since Dec. 8. The foreman recommended that .it) new 5211) iron rails, '• w," fish plates and bolts be obtained for use on breakwater, as thosj in hind were n.it suitable for the work.

The report was adopted. lUßUoiiMisrai's uotjht. During the live weeks ended on January 17, there have been >1 steamers at the wharf, the aggregate gross tonnage amounting to 5:1.71:} tons, reported the Harbormaster. Imports totalled t,2SI tons, including 513 tons of coal for private use, and 350 tons of railway coal. The exports were 1,5111 tons, making an aggregate of 5,8:50 tons of cargo handled. The dredge at the breakwater worked 17 days during five weeks, and removed 5,280 cubic yds. of sand from the new berth at the wharf. The depth is 101 l liin al present, so far as the work has progressed. The dredge has recently undergone repairs The harbor depths generally are satisfactory, despite the fact that the dredge has been working right inshore.

II US li il u„ Permission was given to '!'. I'. Lister and IT. Dixon to erect, small stalls at the breakwater on the occasion of a picnic, subject to the position being pointed out by the Harbormaster. The collector of Customs wrote : "I am directed by the Secretary of the Marine Department to inform you that under the provisions of the 8. and S. Act, a properly certificated master is necessary for the dredge." The Harbormaster reported thai he hud obtained the services of a certificated man, and dispensed with the services of the other man. The Secretary of the Marine Department wrote, stating that, as it wished to test the accuracy of its tide tables for 1901), it desired that observations should be made of the actual times of high and low water for a month, failing that observations be made daily at the port for that period. Referred to the Harbormatter.

Application was received from .T, W, West for right to occupy certain of the Board's unused sections, at a rental lo ho agreed upon.—Decided that the Chairman be authorised to in ike arrangements with Mr West for a temporary occupation of the land ill ([iiestiou, fUItIIRSPiIXnRNVK. From A. R Surrey. liiglewood, wharf decking contractor, dated Nth January, H<Ol>, stating that owing to two accidents at the mill, and then a lire, he has had to arrange with two other mills to complete the contract.— IK'c.ided (hat (he necessary timber to keep Ihe work going pending furl her delivery by the present conlr,i"tor. be procured elsewhere. i>:iivTiTio\<. The Cli linn in (Mr G. Tate), t'rs. F. Julian au.l C. Andrews, of the Taranaki County Counul, w.iitel on the | Uaml in rcfereii"!' lo Ihe removal of stone trom the beach at the month ol the Tapuae. Air Tale explained Hi ■ nature of their business, and inked the llo.ird to grant permission to take (lie stone, and to decide on Ihe amount of royally to be paid lor the siinie. Ft was, lie said, unreasonable to suppose thai the Council could go to the expense of putliug a road through to obtain the stone if they wore not able to arrive at a satisfactory arrangement- with the Hoard. It would, however, he said, be au advantage both' to the ratepayers in the locality and the Harbour Board ilscli', if these facilities were granted. He referred to tho cost the Council would be put to in aeipiiring land and making the road, and hoped the Board would make their royalty charge reasonable. In reply to members, Mr Tale thought that the amount of stone required annually Mould be about 1500 yards. There was an unlimited amount ol stone in the locality. Alter the deputation withdrew, it was decided, as the result of a good deal of discussion, to charge the Council 11 per yard.

iixi'iixsio.x or Tin; junnoni. The Chairman slated that il was devhUhl lo push un willi the work of exten ling tie breakwater ;it once, as (lie next four months was Ik' best lime of tlic year tu conduct ihe work. Kxporieuco had shown that every Toot on breakwater represented a savin" in dredging. Jle predicted that "lite Hoard would have available for tHo work above the ordinary revenue for the past year. J{ L . moved, That authority be given lo the foreman to proceed with the manufaeture of eemont blocks. Mr Maxwell: It will require a notice of motion. I-he Chairman said he did not want to press the motion if members wen? unfavorable lo il. but lie pointed out tlie urgency ot proceeding with ihe work. Mr Ma\woll thought time should he he given for consideration of the 'nailer. To earry the motion meant proeeeding with tlie wharf extension. Mr King pointed out that tho Hoard had already aeeepted :i lender fur a large supply ofeemenl. Tll* cement was go| fur Ihe one purpose only. and io raise objection lo its n<c when iliev had tluMvmcni w.i.< farcical in Ihe t >\. Ireine.

Mr Maxwell : Authority was given to buy cement, not to make blocks. Mr IVice said tlmt time was precious. He considered Mr Maxwell was acting in a "dog in a manger " spirit. 'Hie Chairman said that iu the cireumslauees he would take the responsibility for tlie manufacture of blocks till next meeting, and give notice of motion,