HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 200, 21 February 1914, Page 7

HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETINd. At the monthly meeting of the Xvw Plymouth Harbor Board yesterday, j there, were present: Messrs J. B. Connett (in the chair), Newton King, E. Dockrill, U. A. Wilkinson, l). J. Hughes, and ,T. Marx. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs C. E. Bellringer and ,l. AicCluggage. HARBOR MASTER'S REPORT. | The Harbor Master (Ca;it. \Y. Waller) i reported that during the live weeks end- ; ing February 14, 2« steamships of an j aggregate tonnage of 25,H50 tons had i entered the port, and 2!) steamships ' totalling 2U.281 tons had cleared. The imports amounted to 94-10 tons, 4110 tons of which was coal; 3454 tom for private use and 935 tons for the Railway Department. The exports amounted to 21)72 tons, making a total oi 12,421 tons handled. The bank inside the breakwater had been much reduced since the last time the harbor was sounded. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. The superintendent (Mr. F. Henderson) reported that during a similar pe:i, d the Paritutu had dredged only on 2'/» days, namely, January 12, 13, and 14. and removed 15 loads with the said pumps, making a total of (1000 tons. Pieparations were then made for the voyage to Wellington for 'overhaul, mid the vessel arrived in '.Wellington on .January IS. after a smooth passage of 23 hours. Work on the slips had occupied five days and consisted mainly of drawing the tail shafts, replacing "spares," reliuing the stern hushes and the protecting and strengther.ing of the plates under the bows by cover strips rivetted over the landings; repair and adjustment of hopper doir chains, anil the usual cleaning and coating of hull, hopper, and bilges. At the wharf, a general overhaul of the main engines, condenser, pump,, deck winches and hoists, changing the top and bottom-tumblers, and extensive repairs to the mud chute were the principal works. Owing to wet weather the return of the dredge had been delayed, but dredging was eventually resumed on February 17, at the finishing cut parallel to the wharf. The dredge Thomas King worked at the breakwater bank on 27 days, net time, 270 hours, and removed 182 loais of sand equal U 15,300 tons. TKis dredge w»is now being dismantled, ami the boilers were being taken oufj to enable repair* to be effected to the floor plates, reverse frames', and boiler seats. She vvouldJßprobably be out of commission for fife weeks. The staff had been engaged in preparing renewal piles for the wharf, in repairing wharf chafing f pieces and piles, paintin" cranes, and 1 storing and assorting plant and sterts J in the new sheds. } GENERAL. I Accounts amounting to £4401. 0s lid f were passed for payment.