NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR BOARD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 193, 18 September 1909, Page 6

NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Harbor Board was hold yesterday. Present: -Messrs J. B. Connctt (chairman), Newton King, J. Ward, K. Pr ! c. 0. A. Wilkinson, 1). .1. Hughes, and E. Maxwell, Mr. W. 1). Wells being absent, on leave. FOREMAN'S REPORT.

The foreman, Mr. F. Henderson, reported that during the month six concrete blocks had been made for the breakwater extension. The number now on hand was 85. Two new section*, each of 12 feet, had been completed. Thv total length of the extension was now 570 feet. At flic wharf widening the preparation and fitting of walings and braces had been carried on throughout the month, with a redn-'Otl staff. There were four sets of waling.' and fifteen sets of braces yet to fix. Most of these had been prepared, a.id would be finished in about a fortnight. HARBOR MASTER'S REPORT. The harbormaster, Captain C. E. Hood, reported that during the mon'h there had been 20 steamer berthings at the whaif, the gross Iminagc amounting i.o -24,448 tons. Imports were 43U8 ton-, including 095 tons of private coal ana j 4.S ton 6of railway coai. Exports were 1 ,">s7 tons, making a total of 4805 tons lot cargo handled. During the four I -.coks they had experienced rough, :\ mdy weather and high seas, but no delay I'o shipping occurred at the port. The dredge worked on 14 days, uuiK'.iig Uti'/t. trips, removing 5790 cubic yarns of sand and silt. The dredge was under repair for four days, and had the hull painted while on the beach. On September 14th he made a survey of the harbor. THE KAWHIA TRADE.

Mr. C. F. E. Barton, clerk to the Kawhia County Council, wrote: "I have been instructed to bring under your notice the following matter affecting the steamer trade between your port and Kawhia. During the past year or so the trade between New Plymouth and Kawhia has been steadily increasing. Until recently goods for Kawhia went via Waitara, bm siu.c the Northern Co."s steamer has been unable to work the latter port ino gcods have been brought from New Plymouth breakwater. Owing to the heavy charges for berthage, etc., at your port, the Northern S.S. Co. have practically abandoned sending the s.s. Rimu to the breakwater, and thus a severe blow has been given to the trade between New Plymouth and Kawhia. It is, of course, unnecesasry for me to point out to you the desirability of uiaincaiiiiug the trade between New Plymouth and this rapidly progressing district, but as things are at present it looks as if tliu whoie of the trade must go to Auckland. I am directed to suggest that your Board may be able to assist matters in the way of reducing your berthage rates in tespect of small vessels such as trade to this port. For instance, vessels ol small tonnage, loading or discharging cargoes under 20 tons, and not occupying your wharf for over an hour might be berthed at u rcdueod rate. The Council is approaching your Board on this matter because it recognises the importance of maintaining a steamer connection with the south via your port, and trusts to receive your co-opera-tion."

The chairman said the charges on this vessel were 10s 3d a trip, and for this charge the Board provided warps, etc. Surely that was insufficient to drive away the trade. Upon the motion of Mr. Maxwell, it was decided to forward to • the Council a return showing the total charges levied upon the Eimu in the past six months. GENERAL. Mr. T. Knowles applied for permission to bore for petroleum on his property held on lease from the Board.— Granted, subject to conditions to be imposed by a sub-committee, in consultation with the Board's solicitor. Acting upon the assurance of the en gineer that the present breakwater would sufficiently shelter the wharves, the Board decided to cancel the English cement order forthwith. Mr. Blundell, manager of the Bank of New Zealand at New Plymouth, wrote that the Bank's London office advised that the debentures had been stamped with 10s per cent, stamp duty.