HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 103, 21 October 1911, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

\ MONTHLY MEETING. J The monthly meeting of the New Ply--1 mouth Harbor Board was held yesterday, members present being Messrs J. B. Connett, Newton King, E. Dockrill, C. IC. Bellringer, O. A. Wilkinson, D. J. Hughes, W. Swadling and E. Maxwell. HARBORMASTER'S REPORT. Captain Newton, harbormaster, reported that for the five weeks ending 14i.1i inst. 29 vessels had worked the port inwards and outwards, of the aggregate tonnage of 2<i,47(i tons. The total imports amounted to 7124 tons, of which 2081 tons of coal, 875 tons being for the Railway Department and 1200 tons for private use. The exports for the same period of general produce and sundries amounted to 875 tons. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. The superintendent of works, Mr. F. Henderson, reported for the month:— Dredge Paritutu.—-The Paritutu dredged with the buckets on 24 days, net time 227 hours, and removed 52 ioads, equal to 20.800 tons. Five days of this time were occupied in completing the cut across the end of the wharf towards the break-water. This has been carried in to within 70ft of the wall, the width being 120ff and depth 25ft. Two days were occupied in cleaning out the in-' shore berth prior to removing the beach mooring chain. The remainilig 17 days were occupied at the second cut parallel with the wharf, which was started on September 22. and has since been carried in for a length of 100 ft at a width of 200 ft from the face of the new piling and :i depth of 25ft. One day was occupied in shifting mooring chains and one day in coaling. Four days were lost through rough weather, during which time the quarterly boiler-eleaning and the repairing of the sheaves of the ladder hoisting blocks were effected. The dredging during the month had been easier, than usual. , , 1

Dredge Thomas King.—The Thomas King dredged on 18 days, net time 180 boms, and removed 74 loads, equal to Mtii) tons. The dredge has been working directly ahead of the wharf, and the small average of work is accounted for by the light and silty nature of the spoil at this spot. Nine days were lost tli rough rough weather, and three days were occupied in placing mooring blocks from the Paritutu.

Wharf widening.—At the wharf widening tlie first section, which terminates at pile 14%. has been completed, and is now ready for the rails. Pile-driving was resumed at the second section on September 22. and up to the 14th inst 34 piles had been driven and five sets of cap walings attached. At the approach to. the widening the concrete has been cut down for a depth of eight inches to receive the two net sets of points, and crossings, and the railway stall' is now engaged in laving them. PETROLEUM BORING RIGHTS. The committee appointed to report on the matter of letting petroleum-boring rights over the Board's reserves, submitted the following report:—"Mr. Quilliam. the Board's solicitor, having reported that it will be necessary to survey the Board's property and liave plans prepared before granting boring rights, and Mr. Carter having advised propertyholders to refrain from granting boring lights for the present your committee suggest that no further action be taken until .Mr. Carter's return."

On the motion of Messrs Wilkinson and Swadling, the committee's report was adopted. A QUESTION OF QUALITY.

On the motion of Mr. Wilkinson, seconded by the chairman, it was decided to obtain a report from the works superintendent upon the quality of the dredging material (buckets) manufactured in the Dominion as compared with that imported from Home, and also with regard to all repairing work of this nature carried out in the Dominion. Mr. Wilkinson said there had been a good deal ot talk in the papers about the alleged inferiority of the colonial article, but he understood that the experience of the Board had been to the contrary.

The chairman said that the dredge buckets made in New Zealand had not stood the test, though used for only a few weeks in softer material than the other buckets had been subjected to. It was the lip of the bucket that gave, for it should be constructed of manganese steel, which could not be made in the Dominion. The Home buckets had been found wanting on the sides, but they had been strengthened in the Dominion, and this work had been most .satisfactory. GENERAL. E. A. Burton, ladderman on the dredge Paritutu, applied for an increase of salary or payment for overtime after eight hours per day—The Board decided to offer an increase which would bring his wage's up to £lO per month. The action of the chairman in acceding to the Paritutu men's request for a weekly half-holiday was confirmed. Accounts amounting to £7758 7s were passed for payment.