NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 September 1916, Page 6

NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Harbor Board was hold yesterday afternoon. Present:—Messrs. J. B. Connctt (chairman), 0. E. Bellringe, W. E. Dockri!!, C. A. Wilkinson, E. Maxwell, N. King, and D. ,T. Hughes. Captain W. Waller, harbormaster, reported as follows:—The arrivals for the four weeks ending nth inst. had been 16 steamships, aggregating 12,730 tons. The imports were" 0114 tons, including 1151 tons coal, .'l5B of which were for private use and 703 tons for the Railway Department. The exports for the period amounted to 106 fUns, the total 'thus handled being 6220 tons. The harbor was sounded on Uth inst., under favorable weather conditions (plan of soundings enclosed).

, Mr. F. Henderson, Superintendent of Works, reported:—The Paritutu dredged on 21 days, the net time, being 178 hours, 45 lpads of spoil, equal to IS.OOO tons, were removed. At the West fairway 31J hours were occupied in lifting nine loads with the baskets, and 77 hours in lifting 24J loads with the sand pump. At the first basin cut 69$ hoiin were occupied in lifting 11-J loads, including 45 boulders, with the buckets. The dredging of the basin area to 25ft was resumed on 24th nlto., and a length of 2000 ft has been completed from the end of the wharf shorewards. The new suction nozzle was fitted some days ago, but owing to the continuous heavy swell it was not possible to do any sand pumping at the outer fairway. The Thomas King worked on 10 days and removed 104 loads of spoil—equal to 8320 tons—in 140 hours, and was engaged for 20 hours in lifting 28 boulder. A very serviceable second-hand winch has been procuied for this dredge at a cost of £7. The new master, Mr. .Tas. Watkins, took up his duties" on 11th inst.

General works include the completion of the wharf dolphin mooring and the breakwater ring moorings; the strengthening of the end of the wharf by fitting 12 heavy Btruts between the three outer rows of piles; the renewals of c)iafing pieces and walings.

A letter was received from the Union S.S. Company' relative to lighting in ships' holds and to the lighting on the wharf.

On the motion of Messrs. Maxwell and Wilkinson it was decided that the Company he informed that the Board will, if requested, facilitate the provision of electric current for the working of ships' holds if the Borough Council will supply the light, at the cost of the shipping company.

The chairman stated that the lighting of the wharf had not been quite So good lately, as the Board had been unable to procure globes of higher grade candle power, and it was agreed to inform the Union Company that this defect will be remedied as soon as possible. On the motion of Messrs. King and Connett the superintendent of works was instructed to proceed with the erection of a new rope shed according to plans submitted the, building to be finished before the big shipping season commences. He was also empowered to obtain quotations for iron and timber for the building. Mr. Wilkinson moved, and Mr. King seconded, and it was carried that the superintendent be instructed to prepart. a plan and estimate for a staging for the purpose of handing boulders to the shore, a copy of report and estimate to be forwarded to each member of the Board before next meeting. Messrs. King and Maxwell moved: Application of the Ngamotu Seaside Committee for permission to erect buildings on the foreshtfre be agreed to, subjeet to the conditions laid down in February last,. but, any yjansfcrence of, rights from the Society shall he subject to the Board's, consent, the date of tenure for .the various sites being extended to September 1, 1017'.—Carried.

Consideration of a letter from tin Borough Council with reference to a suggested exchange of foreshore sites for other sections was deferred till next meeting. It was resolved to eal! tenders for annual supplies, and that a special meeting to confirm alterations to the by-laws be held prior to next ordinary meeting.