NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 264, 17 April 1915, Page 3

NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the New Plymouth Harbor Board was held yesterday, when there were present: Messrs J. B. Connett (chairman), Newton King, E. Dockrill, C. E. Bellringer, C. A. Wilkinson, D. J. Hughes, J. Marx and E. Maxwell. HARBOR BOARD LEASES. The chairman reported that the matter of the Harbor Board leases had been settled in favor of thes Board, and the chairman and Mr. Bellringer were appointed to sign them and affix the seal of the Board thereto. HARBORMASTER'S REPORT. The harbormaster reported that for the four weeks ending April 10 the arrivals at the port consisted of 24 steamships, aggregating 27,5!>3 tons, the departures for the same period being 23 steamships, of 20,379 tons. The imports amounted to 7461 tons, 2771 tons of which was coal, 1871 tons being for private use and 900 tons for the Railway Department. The export •• counted to 1191 tons, making a to':f. or 8052 tons handled The harbor was sounded on the 9th ins t., and showed a satisfactory. deepening of the swinging basin and channel. REPORT ON WORKS. The superintendent of works reported that during the four weeks ending April 10 the Paritutu worked on 19 days, the net time being 208 hours. Five days were occupied in the fairway with the pand pump in lifting 25 loads, and fourteen days at the third basin cut in lifting 30 loads, a total of 55 loads, equal to 22/000 tons, also 208 boulder.?. Good progress was being made at the third basin cut in deepening the area (previously dredged to 16 feet) down to Ift. The dredging is very heavy in places, and the diver has been engaged on eleven days in removing boulders and blasting. Three days were observed as Easter holidays, and dredging was stopped for two days owing to a strong south-easterly gale. The Thomas King worked on seventeen days and removed 112 loads of sand, equal to 8960 tons, in 137 hours, and lifted 31 boulders in 21 hours. The shipment of squared timber and piles had been received, and some of the piles were being prepared for driving on the west side of the wharf. The four-ton anchor and chain had been received from Wellington, and moorings were being prepared for commencing bucket dredging in the fairway. A PROTEST AND EXPLANATION. Mr. Wilkinson said he wished to bring up one matter, and that was in connection with a letter that appeared in one of the local papers early in March. He did not bring tin, question up at the last meeting, as the writer, who he had little doubt was Mr. Hughes, was not present at that meeting. The letter, which was signed '■D.J.H.," stated ■ that "during the strike efforts were made to get a liner here, but a shortage of coal was the excuse then. The producers and importers of this Dominion, and Taranaki in particular, will have to rise and cut loose those tentacles that have fastened them tight bv removing the great shipping ring which undoubtedly exists. ... I have watched carefully the members of Parliament who represent this province, but in no instance can I bring to mind any effort made by them to further the New Plymouth port as a calling place for ocean liners." As a member of Parliament in the province, remarked Mr. Wilkinson, he would like to know if his time had been wholly wasted since he. had been a member of the Board, and if he had done nothing to assist in bringing the liners there. The letter was an attack upon him, and lie considered that it was hitting below the belt. The letter further stated: "I have perused correspondence lately with which, if it were not confidential, I could open the eyes of some of our people as to how this port is getting hit below the belt. There are people who object to a union amongst workers, but who smile on and applaud a, union in shipping circles." He thought that some proof of this should be brought, and he would like some explanation. Mr. Hughes declared that the port of New Plymouth had never been treated as it should have been, and he consideied that the only way to remedy the matter would be to introduce State shipping. The members of Parliament of the province had never advocated such a tiling.

Mr. Wilkinson said when in Parliament a certain programme was placed before the House and they had to attend to it. They were not at liberty to deal with any question Mr. Hughes said he did not wish to individualise among the members for the province, but he certainly had no wish ,to cast any reflection on Mr. Wilkinson. The chairman eulogised Mr. Wilkinson's services in furthering the interests of the port of STew Plymouth. He had gone to the length of making s[fecial journeys from Eltham to attend the Chamber of Commerce meetings in this connection.

Mr. Bellrmger supported the chairman's remarks. He knew that Air. Wilkinson had worked very hard in this matter when in Wellington. Mr. Wilkinson said both Mr. Okey and himself had worked very hard in connection with the harbor. Why did not Mr. Hughes sign the letter in question?

Mr. Huglies said he thought everyone would know who the letter was written by, the initials being fairly well known.

Mr. Wilkinson said Mr. Hughes had also liinted at hitting below the belt by members of the Harbor Board. Mr. Hughes said he did not wish to east any reflection on Mr. Wilkinson or any member of the Board. He was very sorry that he could not produce the correspondence to which he referred. It was, however, shown to him in confidence. He could assure them that the port was not receiving fair treatment by the shipping companies. The discussion then dropped. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £1467 were passed for payment.