N.P. HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 343, 19 March 1910, Page 2

N.P. HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. > The Harbor Board met yesterday. Present: Messrs. J. B. Connett (chairman), E. Maxwell, W. T. Weils, D. J. Hughes, C. A. Wilkinson, R. Price, E. Doekrill, and Newton King. HARBORMASTER'S REPORT. Captain Newton, harbormaster, reported that for the four weeks ending 12th March there were 33 steamer berthings at the wharf, the aggregate tonnage being 28,234 tons. The total imports were 5354 tons, of which 3555 tons were general merchandise and 1799 tons were coal. Of this latter 1020 tons were railway coal and 749 tons of private coal. The tonnage outwards amounted to 1447 tons of produce. The dredge worked on twenty days, removing 68y 2 loads, equal to 3767 yards of silt, stone, ■and rubbish. This latter had accumulated through the long spell of north-' j easterly weather. This had been rei moved from the upper portion of the j eastern side of the wharf, and from the jnature of the stuff had to be removed I by grab bucket. In connection with the I search for rocks in the approaches to j the port, he found that there was no plan or chart of the ground covering the locality required to be searched. This chart would have to be drawn out on similar lines to the Admiralty charts in general use. He suggested that the ground for two miles on each side of the breakwater should be shown on the plan. In view of the improevments •which the Board had in Hand at the ' port, he suggested placing an occulting I ■ white light on the end 01 the breakwater about 20ft high. He remarked tthat at night-time it was difficult for; ■j vessels making the port to locate the ' end of the breakwater, so they had nothing to guide them in making the turn j to the wharf. A light on the end of the breakwater would make the entrance the same night or day. Soundings were taken on Tuesday, and agreed j fairly well with last month. What changes there were 'had been caused by the heavy gale a few days ago. The dredge was now removing the sand that came round the breakwater during the storm. FOREMAN'S REPORT. Foreman Henderson reported as follows: New Coal Bin.—The principal work during the month has been the erection of the new coal bin. The ten piles which support the "structure have been drawn, the cap walings an;l flooring beams attached, the wall standards erected, and the planking of the floor , and walls is now in hand. It is expected to complete the work in about a fortnight. Quarry. Three men have been at work in the quarry throughout the (month, and about 300 tons of stone are I ready for trucking. A quantity of this J will be required for the protection of ; the recently-formed parapet of blocks, some of which show a tendency to shift inwards. A few large stones and blocks are also required to build up the apron at the end 01 the breakwater, which has again been reduced by the gale of the 14th instant. General. Eleven new braces have been fitted into the old wharf. The I steel tip waggons have each teen fitted with a new turning-plate, the undercarriages cleaned and painted, and the waggons placed under cover. A six-feet corrugated iron fence about two chains an length has been erected on the east-, em side of the harbormaster's residence.) ' Diver's Outfit.—The diver's dress is in a very bad condition, and I would. recommend the purchase of a new outfit j i consisting of helmet, breastplate, dress, 1 ] and 60ft of new air hose. j j THE NEW DREDGE. j I Upon the motion of Mr. Maxwell,' I seconded by the chairman, it was de- ■ ! cided that the engineer be written to 1 stating that the Board greatly Regrets 1 that no intimation has been received as j to the sailing of the new dredge, and j I that the Board considers it would be! desirable to notify the contractors that I it is the intention of this Board to ini-1 pose the penalties for non-fulfilment of contract within the time specified, it ! being pointed out that the Board is suffering great inconvenience and loss through their default. GENERAL. Messrs. Govett and Quilliani, the Board's solicitors, forwarded draft conditions for sale of leases 01 part of the I foreshore. Mr. J. W. Jackson, of Smart road, j asked if the Board had aiiy objection ' to his going over the sand reclamation j at the breakwater. He explained that' he had taken out a patent for preventing drift sand from encroaching on farm lands. —Permission had been granted by the chairman. With regard to the Borough Council's! request for the Board to dedicate aj small piece 01 ground at the corner of 1 St. Aubyn-street and Queen-street in order to improve the street corner, it was decided to ask the Council to submit a sketch plan of what is required. ■ I 1