HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 83, 16 July 1910, Page 7

HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY

MEETING.

The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth Harbor Board was held yesterday, There were present: Mesrs J. B. Con nett (chairman), Newton King, E. Dockrill, J. McCluggage, R. Price, C. Wilkinson, D. J. Hughes, W. Wells, and E, Maxwell.

HARBOR ACT AMENDMENT BILL,

Mr. Maxwell brought forward the question of the Harbor Board Amendment Bill which was about to '•> : wrought before the House. There \u.e several clauses in this which were highly important to the Harbor Board, particularly the proposed alteration in the franchise. When the ratepayers consented to the recent loan it was practically on condition that control remained in the hands of the ratepayers. It was an urgent ma.ttv, as the Bill would probably come on that evening. He considered the matter so important that he had returned specially from Wellington to bring it before the Board. He moved that the Board send an urgent wire to the Minister of Marine asking him not to deal further with the Bill until a deputation from the Board had waited on him. The Board could then discuss the Bill and instruct the deputation how to act.

The chairman seconded,

Mr. King suggested sending an urgent wire to Mr. Okey, M.P., asking him to ascertain when the Bill was coming forward. They could then hold a meeting and spend an hour or two in discussing the matter, if necessary, that afternoon or evening. He reminded the Board that they had arranged to inspect the dredge that afternoon. When they knew definitely when the Bill was coming forward, they could formulate a more drastic resolution to the Minister of Marine.

Mr. McCluggage agreed with the suggestion, which was adopted, Mr. Maxwell's motion being held over until a reply wa9 received, A wire was received from the Auckland Harbor Board asking the co-opera-tion of the Board in removing from the Harbors Act Amendment Bill now before the House some most objectionable clauses destroying existing powers of harbor boards, particularly clause 54, which removes from the control of harbor boards the ferry services, and section 39, which gives an over.-riding power to the Governor to lease foreshotes ol harbors, without the consent of harbor boards. Their Board had controlled the ferry services of Auckland for 39 years, and .the Bill vested control in the Wellington Department. Prompt action was necessary. Auckland people were unanimously opposed: to these sections of the Bill.

On resuming after lunch a telegram was received from Mr. Okey, M.P.. that "Harbor Bill is set down for committee to-day, number nine on order paper. Don't anticipate it being reached; Minister in bed; pleased to have suggestions as early as possible." The Board then discussed the Bill and it was resolved to telegraph the Minister for Marine, asking him to stay his hand until a deputation from the New Plymouth Harbor Board had placed before him the peculiar circumstances in which the Board was placed as regards the recent loan. The chairman and Messrs King and Maxwell were appointed a deputation.

THE PARITUTU. The chairman reported that the dredge builders wished the three engineers to remain in charge during the 90 days' trial. This, he thought, was only a reasonable request, and he had agreed to it. Their wages would be respectively £25, £l6 and £l4 per month—The chairman's action was confirmed.

The question of insuring the new dredge was brought up and it was resolved that the secretary communicate with other boards using dredges asking if they insure them and at what rates, and if replies are received in the affirmative, insurance companies will be asked to quote. Mr. Marchant wrote on July 4th, stating that bad weather had delayed the vessel's outfit at Wellington and her voyage to New Plymouth. She might be got ready for a scratch trial on the 14th inst., but he thought it would be advisable to postpone the official trial.until the August meeting, when he could guarantee everything in good going order. He did not like a trial until those ■who had the working of the plant had satisfied themselves that every thing-was all right, as if a hitch occurred at a trial, the vessel would get a bad name, which it never could entirely live down. He regretted that he «ould not attend the Board meeting, as he had had the misfortune to sprain his right leg, and was ordered by the doctor to give it complete rest. He entirely over-used it on the Paritutu in Wellington, scrambling up ladders, etc. He had given Mr. Knowles in Wellington the fullest information what to do in New Plymouth. Mr. Knowles was an experienced man and would, he thought, serve them well. It was decided that the official trial should take place the day before tuS August Board meeting.

THE THOMAS KINO. The secretary of the Whangarei Harbor Board wrote asking if the Board had a dredge for sale, and, if so, asking particulars of the same, with the price placed on it by the Board and the terms on which it could be placed under offer to the Board. The secretary of the Foxton Harbor. Board also asked on what terms the Board would lease the dredge, with right of purchase. He also asked how ; soon the dredge -would be available. Mr. Maxwell moved that the engineer be instructed to value the dredge. Mr. King said they must not be in too great a hurry about disposing of the old dredge until the new one was proved to be successful. Replies are to be sent that definite information will be supplied about the middle of August, and the engineer is to be instructed to fixe a price and name the date on which the Board could dispose of the dredge. HARBORMASTER'S REPORT. The harbormaster (Captain W. J. .Newton) reported that for the four weeks there had been 27 vessels inwards and outwards, of the aggregate tonnage of 21.088 tons. This did not include the dredge Paritutu. The total imports amounted to 5528 tons, of which 4400 ton- were general and 100,8 tons of coal, of the latter 589 tons neing for private use and 479 for the Railway Department. The dredge worked on 22 days, removing 90 loads, equal to 5700 yards, of silt. The moorings of the old dredge would, he said, have to be removed to enable the Paritutu to work on the proofed ground. He suggested that the Tlmims King he eniploved in removing lie. - lid moorings and chains. This would enable the Paritutu to deal with the ground only and greatlv facilitate her work. He recommended that the old dredge then be placed on the beach for safety, until her future use was decided upon. A committee, consisting of Messrs Connett. Dockrill and King was appointed to go into the question of laying up the Thomas King*

FOREMAN'S REPORT. Mr. F. Henderson reported on work done during the past month as follows: Wharf—At the western side of the wharf four new mooring piles have been driven, ten new chafing pieces have been fixed, and the diver's boat and davits removed to afford additional berthage. Timber for wharf widening. The whole of the timber, etc., per Lauderdale and Marjorie Craig had been sorted and a report handed in on the same. In preparation for wharf widening 113 of the piles have been bound at the ends with wire to prevent splitting. The new double crossing, with necessary strengthening beams, had been put down and a strong frame of 14ft by Bft ironbark had been made for the purpose of supporting the derrick in pile driving. It is intendeded to start coppering the 40ft piles next week.

Breakwater.*—The apron at the end of the breakwater has again become rather low, and the earliest opportunity will be taken to build it up. About four days will complete the necessary work, and as settlement seems to have almost ceased, it should not require any further attention for at least twelve months.

Dredge.—As the dredge Thomas King is now laid up, a new rains wheel is required for the deck crane. The other parts of the machinery are in fair working order.

RAILWAY CHARGES. The General Manager of Railways wrote that when the question of limiting the charges upon measurement on ship's goods conveyed between the Breakwater and New Plymouth to twice the weight of any package-was being considered, the Board were asked whether that limit should also apply to wharface collected on behalf of the Board. The reply was in the affirmative. It had since come under his notice that wharfage charges had been computed on aetiwl measurement. The department could not adopt two systems of dealing with goods. The usual practice was to base the wharfage charges on the railway 'weight or measurement, and in future that would be done in New Plymouth.

The matter was referred to a committee, consisting of the chairman, and Messrs Dockrill and King, to enquire into and report at next meeting.

GENERAL. Permission was granted the Fitzroy Town Board to plant and fence and erect a bathing shed at Te Henui reserve, and also to impound cattle from same. The Town Board is to have the right to remove all buildings erected by them. The Harbor Board reserves the right to resume possession at anv time. The buildings in Gill street on the Board's reserve at Kawau Pa are to be placed in the hair's of the auctioneers for sale. Accounts amon'in'r to £026 Is 2d were passed for pavment.