N.P. HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1916, Page 4

N.P. HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary monthly moiling of the Xcw 'Plymouth Harbor Hoard was held yesterday afternoon, wlion there were present: Messrs J. B. Connett (ehairman), Newton Kinsr, K. Dockrill, J. MeCluggagc, C. E. Bellringer, D. J. Hughes Jacob Marx and E. Maxwell. HARBOR WORKS Mr. P. ITciiclerson, superintendent of works, reported on work done for the five weeks ending Saturday, July 15, as follows:

•Dredge Pari tutu.—The Parit utu dredged on 27 days, the net time being ->W hours. Seventy-four load* of spoil, equal to 2!),fif)o tons, were removed. Details of dredging are as follows: At the outer fair-way, 00 hours in lifting 20 loads witu the sand pump: at the west fairway, 021/, hours in lifting 24 loads with the sand pump, and'loo hours in lifting 28 loads with the buckets; and at the fourth basin cut, 10'/, hours in lifting two loads with the buckets. Three days were lost through rough weather. An alteration had been effected in sandpumping by dispensing with the cutter and using the square nozzle in an inverted position. The suction pipe is now trailed instead of being pushed ahead. Better results are being obtained from the pump, and it is now possible to work in a heavier strain on the lifting tackle.

The dredge Thomas King worked on 22 days, the net time being 104 hours, and removed 138 loads, equal to 11,010 tons.

General.—Four hands had been engaged throughout the month in fencing the outer boundary of the reserve and clearing noxious weeds. Various repairs at one of the houses had been effected. The piles for the new dolphin mooring ■were being prepared.

HARBORMASTER'S REPORT. Captain W. Waller (harbormaster) reported that during the five weeks ending May ]">, 27 steamships, aggregating •.'2.307 tons, arrived at the.port. The imports amounted to 77.12 tons, including 1388 tons of coal for private use. The exports for the same period amounted to 181,1 tons, making a total of ft")fi7 tons handled. The harbor was sounded durii'.j. favorable weather on the 7th inst. There is 23 feet of water in the channel at low water spring tide, and fvom 28 to SO feet alongside the wharf.

DUTY OX TRANSPORTS. Xotiication was received that the executive of the Harbors Association had decided, in view of the opinions expressed by 17 out of 20 members, that the seventh eonfcernce of the Harbors Association be not held this year. The executive also notilied that a reply had been received from the Minister of MaJine to tile effect that the resolutions of the fifth and sixth conferences would receive the careful consideration of the Government when harbor legislation was being brought before Parliament. Owing to legislation irMiig out of the war occupying the. attention of the Government to such an extent, it was doubtful whether any general harbor legislation would be considered by the Government during the progress of the war. The question of duty on transports was fully considered by the executive, together with the decision of the Government as conveyed in a previous circular, and the president and secretary were instructed to keep in close touch with the position wiUi a view to taking immediate action should occasion arise, the executive to be called together if necessary. The Association no proposed to again approach the Minister as to dues on Admiralty-chartered vessels (at present exempt) carrying out of New Zealand whole cargoes of meat, etc. In view of the reported action of the British Admiralty in regard to the payment to English port autlnrrities of 73 per cent, of the ordinary harbor dues that would have been paid on Imperial produce transports had they not lieen under oGvernment charter, it was hoped that similar treatment might be accorded New Zealand harbor boards affected. The chairman stated that he did not consider the position very satisfactory. He went to Wellington to attend 4he last meeting of the executive, but only four members were present. He had put the ease for the New Plymouth Harbor Board as strong as he could iu conneeton with the payment of dues on transports carrying ordinary cargo. The matter had been threshed out thoroughly, and if necessary another meeting would be called, at which he would endeavor to be present. Meantime the interests of all the boards would be closely watched.

On the motion of Mr. Dockrill, a hearty vote of thanks was unanimously accorded the chairman.

GEXERAIi.

Several transfers of sections on the beach at Ngainotti were agreed to, subject to payment of a small fee. Tlie chairman reported that of the 17 sections submitted for sale, 14 had been taken up. This would mean a saving of over £3OO per annum to the Board, as instead of paying £63 per annum in rates on them, the Board would now receive 1:255 per annum in rent. Mr. D. J. Hughes was authorised to inspect the reserve, and procure any seed required to sow in it.|