HARBOR BOARD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 267, 21 March 1911, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. ' The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth Hurbur -board was held in the Board's office yesterday. Present: Messrs. J. B. C'onuett (chairman), E. Maxwell, W. T. Wells, D. J. Hughes, 0. A. Wilkinson, E. Price, J. MeOluggage, and E. Dockrill. HARBORMASTER'S REPORT. Captain Newton, harbormaster, reported that during the four weeks ending March 4th, 28 steamers, of an aggregate tonnage of 20,870 tons, had ■worked the port inwards and outwards. The total imports amounted to 4732 tons, of which 906 tons were coal, 171 tons for railway, and 795 for private use. The exports of general merchandise and produce for the same period amounted to 1319 tons. FOREMAN'S REPORT. The foreman (Mr. F. Henderson) reported that for the five weeks ending 18th inst, the dredge Paritutu dredged with the buckets alongside of the wharf on 20 days, and removed 35 loads of spoil, equal to 14,000 tons, and also 229 large boulders, which were lifted from the buckets by the hand crane. Twenty-five loads of the above were taken from the outer berth, the average loadin'g time being four hours forty minutes. The remaining ten loads were taken from the inshore berth, the average loading time being five hours forty-six minutes. During the above period the 33ft cut had been advanced 40ft, the 28ft cut 140 ft, and the 10ft cut 80ft. A reference to an accompanying diagram showed the dredging done for the month, as well as the whole of the wharf dredging from the beginning. Dredging was stopped for two days owing to heavy south-easterly gales, and for one day in changing seven of the buckets, and part of another day in coaling. The Thomas King worked on 25 days, and removed 191 loads of sand, equal to 15,250 tons. Ten loads of this were taken from the inshore berth, and tha remainder from the breakwater bank. On last Wednesday this dredge was placed on a temporary slip-way for over-1 haul and Oovernment inspection. One new plate was being fitted into the hopper, also new door chains and other small repairs. It was expected to have the dredge at work about the end ol the month. A start had been made to widen the wharf at a spot 890 ft from the outer end, seven piles having been driven and the cap walings attached. Pile-driving would, however, have to be stopped for a few days until the Thomas King was refloated. The heavy northerly sea of Sunday, 20th inst.. displaced some of the protecting blocks near the end nf the breakwater. A few were replaced and six new ones put down, the work occupying a day and a half. The report was adopted. SAND ON RAILWAY LINE. The district engineer for the Railway Department wrote drawing the Board's attention to the sand drift at the root of the breakwater, which was becoming so serious that unless the Board took steps to. prevent the same, the Railway Department, for its own protection, would have to open the fence, giving the sand a clear passage over the railway line. The chairman stated that it appeared to him that the sand was lodging on a particular piece of line that the Department had taken from the Board. It ,was driven by the wind from a corner near the cattle yards. The matter was held over, the Board deciding to visit the spot. WHARFAGE DUES. The secretary of the Patea Harbor Board drew the Board's attention to the fact that recently the Railway Department, who acted as wharfingers for the collection of dues, charged wharfage on all inward cargo by rail from the boats by weight instead of by manifest measurement of 40ft to the ton. This alteration had been effected without notice to the Board. As they considered tiiis affected the Board's revenue considerably, and also probably affected the New Plymouth Board, they would be glad if the Board would unite with them in protesting. They also forwarded a copy «f a protest that had been forwarded the president of the Harbors' Association, Wellington. The chairman said the Patea Harbor Board had been slow in discovering the alteration in the system, which had been in vogue here for some time past. Mr. Wilkinson explained that this system had been adopted in Patea only about three weeks ago. In the course of desultory discussion, it was pointed out that "the present system was more suitable for merchants, etc., as it was less confusing than the old method. The chairman thought the mattel might well be left alone, as it had been discussed before. On the suggestion of Mr. Maxwell, it was resolved to inform the Patea Harbor Board that this Board had dealt with the matter before, and saw no advantage in re-opening it. IRONSAND LEASES. Messrs. Garrick, Cowlishaw, Alpers and Nicholls, solicitors, Christchurch, wrote asking to be advised if the Board intended offering the two leases of thu ironsand beach, live miles north and south of the town. The Board decided to leave the whole matter of the leases over until next meeting, so as to allow of Mr. King taking part in the discussion. ADVERTISING- THE PORT. A letter was received from the New Zealand Shipping Gazette re advertising the port by means of a special article in the company's annual review' of shipping and commerce.—The question was referred to a sub-committee with power to act.