HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 324, 16 January 1909, Page 6

HARBOR BOARD.

IXOA'TIfIA' AliOIOTlNli. Tho monthly meeting,of tin- Harbor Board, and the- last of tin- present Board, was held yesterday. There were present: Mr. J, B. Conuctl (chairman), Xewton King, Thomson, J'l'ice, Marx, [■[ light's, lline and Maxwell. ! FOIiK.MAXIS HiOI'OUT. The foreman (Mr. Henderson) reposed on works as follows.: Breakwater Kxtension.—Twelve concrete blocks had been made during the month (the number on hand being 78), mid 1130 tons of stone had been tipped at the end of the breakwater. Owing to loss of time through the holidays until unsettled weather, a section was not completed this week as expected. Timber for wharf widening.—A shipment of iionhark limber, consisting of 99 piles and 250 squared beams, win received for wharf widening. The piles, excepting one, arrived in good order. Of the squared timber, 240 pieces are still required, file-driving was resumed on Wednesday at the wharf widening. Ssiiul aeciiiiinl.ition on wharf—The Hoard's nit en I on was directed to tin 1 accumulation of sand on the new portion of the wharf, particularly alone each side of the rails. The sand i l.i-ei permanently by the rail* and would soon rot the deck. Tiie foreman asket for direction as to whether the llailwa) I'Veirhnoii or the Hoard -hiiuld kect the wharf clear.—To bo attended to. II.U.itiHiMASTKirS KIOI'OK'J'. The harbormaster (t'apta n C. 1' llouit! reported that, during the fom ■weeks ending .lanuiii'v 1;1. 4:) steameri and two vailing ves-w'ls berthed at tin wharf, ami if.M.S. Cambrian and tin ON'ew Zealand (lovenimciit training shi| 'Amiikuia anchored oil' the end of tin breakwater. The aggregate gross ton nage amounted to 4*8,541 lons. imports were 4005 tons, including jlit tons of railway coal and 82j tons o private coal.' The exports were 1511 tons, making a total tonnage of tons of cargo handled. The dredge worked 11 days, mukinj 80'/. trips, removing 511)0 cubic yards o santl and silt, The dredge, was kid uj during Christmas and Is'ew Year holi (lavs, the crew being on their annua Week's leave. WIIAKFACK DUOS.

The General Manager of Railways wrote in reply to the Hoard's letter of the 10th l)i c'cmiicr in regard to ships' goods earriul by measurement, and by direction of the Minister for Railways he stated Hint before giving the representations consideration, the Minister would like to know whether it was the desire of the Board that the limit of 'double weight should apply also to "wharfage collected on behalf of the Jioard. ' A discussion followed, and it was repealed that there was a doubt whether the Huilway Department had been paying wharfage (in the case of goods going through New Plymouth by rail), according to the Hoard's by-law, shipmeasurement or by weight—lt was resolved that the Department be referred to the Board's by-law on the question. WHARF EXTENSION.

The Board's consulting engineer (Mr. F. W. Mareliant) wrote thai 200 5(111) Vails, 24ft long, complete with fish plates had been ordered. Concerning the length of the wharf extension, Mr. Marchanl reported that he had got Captain Clarkson, harbormaster at Timaru, to give his opinion on the matter. Captain Clarkson considered iilKlfl. is just sitllicieut. but tint if funds would allow lie should prefer a length of CUDft. He pointed out that \n berthing, very large vessels, they could not always be. handled just as might lie wished, and it was therefore desirable, if funds permitted, to have a good deal nunc length than rely sufficient, in order to save delay and cover contingencies. Mr. Marchanl considered the best way to deal with the wharf extension will be to make, an extension of 500fl by CON- the basis for contract. The specifications could add that tlie length may he extended to (100 ft, for which a further price would be istated in the tender. Further, that the width 'may be inado 80ft for store accommodation for which also a price would be asked. The Board would then know exactly the tost of each, and could decide accordingly.—On the motion of Mr. King, it was resolved to instruct Mr. Mo reliant to prepare specifications calling for tenders in accordance with his recommendations. CLAIM FROM OPL'NAKK.

The secretary of the Opnnake llarbo,. liill Coininiltce. wrote forwarding the following resolution of the committee: '•That the New Plymouth Harbor Jtmird be asked what it proposes doing with the, balance of the Trust Fund as at May, liMl'l; that it is evident the last rale was for a larger a lint in the pound than was necessary, and it, becomes doubtful if payment, ean be enforced. The coininittc .-u««i"ts that :n lien of the expense of contesting the matter, the Hoard should agree to make a refund to the harbor iVsLrict, as it is evident that a portion of the surplus b'.nf- to the district." The Hoard's .secretary, iu answer to u question, stated that the rate struck was not sullicient, as shown by the balancesheet, instead of there being the surplus assumed by the resolution.—A resolution was passed regretting that the Hoard could nut see its way to accede to the request. (1 EX URAL , The Hoard decide.'., un the motion of Messrs. Mars and King, that the Tarainiki I'clroli'um Company be, given a week iu which to pay £7 7s overdue valuation fee. Mr. Marcliant notified that leaders for the new dredge were, not now expected till April, instead of February as originally believed.

The .South British Insurance Co. wrote intimating that under the increased liability-of compensation for accident under the Workers' Compensation Act, lOCS, the premium bad to be increased proportionately.—Received. ■ The, Borough Council, writing regarding the Kawau Pah Reserve, and width of streets, etc., in reply to the Board's communication on the subject, stated that the Council was in communication wilh the Premier re the proposed Clill

street extension, and as the matter depended largely on the nature, of the Pre flier's replv, consideration of the Braird's letter had been deferred for the King were appointed to interview the Council and get the matter lixed up. The Board decided to accede to the request of tihc Chief Postmaster to conliinic the present mail services until such times as through mails are being carried via. the Maink Trunk.

Accounts amounting to £lOlO were passed for payment.