HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 257, 20 March 1913, Page 6

HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. j J The Harbor Hoard met yesterday, the > ; chairman (Mr. J. B. ConiieU) presiding. J Other members .present were: Messrs.] Newton King. E. Wilkinson, M.P., C. E. Bellringer, E. Dockrill, D.. Hughes and J. Marx. • THE HARBOR. In his report to the Board the newlyappointed harbormaster (Captain VVm. Waller) stated that during the five weeks ending March 15, 32 steamers and one sailing vessel, of an aggregate gross tonnage of 31.804 tons, worked the port inwards, and 32 steamers of an aggregate gross tonnage of 31.1(12 tons WQrked the the port outwards. The imports amounted to (ili!2 tons, of which 501 tons com-' prised coal for private consumption. The exports of produce and sundries amounted to 17!>7 tons, making a total of 8409 tons.

HARBOR WORKS. The superintendent of works (Mr. F. Henderson) reported that the Paritutu had pumped in the fairway on January 13, 14 and 15, and removed 14 loads, amounting -to 5600 tons. The two following days were occupied in preparing for the voyage to Wellington. The vessel sailed on January 18, and arrived the next day. Overhaul and repairs (details of which he submitted in a separate report) occupied nearly five weeks, the dredge arriving back in New Plymouth on Sunday, February 23. Dredging was resumed on February 27, andfor 14 working days up to the -13 th inst. 30 loads, amounting to 12,000 tons, were removed. The dredging was confined to the shallow patch ahead of the wharf, and the ground was fairly easy to'work. It consisted of silt, with clay and soft sandstone at a depth of 25 feet. The Thomas King dredged on 14 days, and removed 07 loads, amounting to 7700 tons, from the breakwater bank. The dredge was-placed on the gridiron on the 10th for Government inspection. A new tail shaft and propelloi' were being titled and general repairs executed, and it was expected to have the dredge oil the gridiron on the 20th inst., if tides permitted. At the wharf-lengthening works four piles had been driven to form an easy radius at the eastern corner, and the end had been planked from .lowwater murk to deck level, for the convenience of vessels when turning around tin- end. Another fortnight should complete the work. Touching on the breakwater light, the superintendent stated that the lantern had been fixed on the stand and the wires and piping procured. The work had been delayed through unsettled weather, but w u iild be proceeded wilh after the Easier nolidays. Inferring to the overhaul of the Paritutu. llr. Henderson stated that the expanse, although heavy by comparison with last year, were just about the average incurred by .other Xe.w Zealand dredges for their annual overhaul. AH of them were doing much lighter work than the Paritutu,' some having single plants, and others, which were fitted with dual plants, only working by one sv»tem.