NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR BOARD.
MONTHLY MEETING. , The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth Harbor 'Board was held yesterday. Present: Messrs Newton King, E. Maxwell, J. S. Connett), C. McGuinness, E. Dockrill, J. McCluggage, D. .T. Hughes, C. E. Bellringer, and C. A. Wilkinson, ■M.P. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. Mr J. McCluggage said he had very much pleasure in proposing that Mr; Newton King be chairman of the Board' for the ensuing year. Personally, he considered that Mr King possessed all the qualifications necessary for the position. He was thoroughly acquainted with shipping requirements, was one of the best business men, whose knowledge and experience would be of great benefit to the Board, and further he was tho only okl mom'*'. - H'o had not yet had the honor of <. tho chair. It was also a n:at;, • , c n-ideration that Mr King was au. .. 'iiiier and would always be available Csald matters arise demanding immediate attention and"prompt decision. Mr D. J. Hughea seconded the motion, and agreed with the mover that Mr King possessed in a marked'degree all the qualifications necessary for the position of chairman, and his appointment would not only be a compliment to 'Mr King, but also to those associated with him. At one time the district to which he (Mr Hughes) belonged had very largely opposed the New Plymouth liarboi'. but now they realised it was tho thing that could meet requirements, and with such a chairman as Mr King there could be no doubt, that the interests of the district would: receive every consideration from the Board..
There being'no other nominations, the motion was put and carried unanimously. Mr Newton King, in taking the chair, thanked tho members for the honor they had conferred upon him. He assured them that no effort would be spared by him to further the interests of tho port and carry out the wishes of the Board, During the past few years the Board had had somewhat easy times, but more arduous times probably awaited them. They had entered upon a new period, or era, by getting large steamers to the port, and they could look forward' to greatly increased shipping of the same nature. They would have to so lay their plans as to be prepared for any financial opportunities that might arise. The meat works had been a great factor, any they could look" forward to the iron sand works as likely to become of great importance in the progress of the port. Personally, he was quite optimis.tic as to the result. He welcomed Mr McGuinness and Mr Connett as new members, and was certain their assistance on the Board would be of benefit to the district.
SHED ACCOMMODATION. ' The chairman mentioned that the Government Engineer would' be here shortly, and he might be approached with regard to the proposed new shed on the wharf. 'Mr Wjlkinson said the Board had not yet decided as to whether tho shed should be built on the wharf or not. He thought that question should be decided before details were discussed. Personally, he diil not think tho shed should be on the wharfy as it might affect the stability of the structure. Mr Maxwell said tho wharf was thoroughly stable, all that required attention being a few piles. The chairman said a committee had been appointed to obtain data on the matter of the wharf, and submit such data to a meeting of the Board. Mr Wilkinson hoped the committee would specially consider the advisability of having a wool dumping plant on tho wharf.
Mr Maxwell said there was a good mors involved than had been nientiour;,. and it 'Would lie for the .Board to dwi.io whether thev should deal with the wholr policy question of a new wharf. 'Me would not he in favor of erecting a wooldumping plant on the wharf. The chairman. said the question of a wool-dumping plant could he considered later. In the meantime, the committee had been appointed' to collect data with regard to the erection of a shelter shed on the wharf for the storage of goods. When the committee reported,, the whole matter could be fully discussed.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.. The superintendent of works, (Mr P. Henderson, reported as follows: The dredge Thomas King worked on I' 7 dajjs last month and removed 41<50 tons of spoil in 52 loads, 34 of which were lifted with the pump along the point of the coal bin, and 18 loads were lifted with the Priestman buckets from the eastern berth on the main wharf. Repairs to the wharf consisted of two new piles driven at the west side, six new braces, four new chafing. pieces; al3o repairs to the bracing of the coalbin. The lamp posts on the wharf and the block-setting araiK had been cleaned, and painted. ' The Faritutu left New Plymouth on Marcli 24 for the annual slipping and overhaul at 'Wellington, and returned on May 4. The 'Wio'-k occupied 30 working days, exclusive of the steaming time on the voyage), and the three days Easter holidays. The vessel had been two months longer in the water than usual, and bad an unusually heavy coat of marine growth, hut the hull was found to be in good order and free from corrosion and rutt. Sheathing plates had to bo fitted across the bottom of the hopper bulkheads as a protection against the scour of the sand which escapes at times through the joints of the doors and tends to cut into the plates. These sheathing plates had been found necessary in all other dredges, and could, with advantage have been adopted in the original construction. Two . new plates had to be fitted in the back well from about 2ft. below water level, and extending about 7ft. upwards. These plates iia<l worn very thin by the constant dropping of a small quantity of sand from eaoh bucket in discharging over the tumbler. The repairs to the main engines were more extensive than usual, as also were, repairs to the mud shoot, which had nearly to he renewed. The shafts of the hopper door hoist were each year found to be badly bent at the overhanging ends, therefore this year two new shafts, sufficiently extended in length to be supported by bracket hearings, were substituted, and it is not considered the trouble will recur. The accounts are not all to hand, but the cost of the overhaul will be in excess of pre* vious years, owing to all-round increases ( in the prices of materials and labor. The report was adopted. HARBORMASTER® (REPORT. 5 W,. Waller, I j
reported that 15 vessels entered the port during the three .weeks ending Jlav .5, tlieir aggregate tonnage being l!;)l02. The imports amounted to 3542"t0ns and the exports to 1844 tons,.the total thus being 5156 tons. One of the New Zealand Shipping Company's vessels berthed at the wharf on the '23 rd ult., her length being 430 ft., her gross'tonnase SSfiO, and her depth 18ft. Sin. forward ami lflffc. 9bi. nft\ The report was adopted. GENERAL Mr Bellringer was appointed hcfiorary treasurer. The proposal to erect a new cottage lor the harbormaster was held over for a month. The ehairnuitt efated that, the marine /hi
auWTiMuo tide gauge fof the port. I'ht lronsand Company wove granted permission to erect a' fei:rt> :i't thoir works, subject to the approval of the .Hoards superintendent. , aasasss!. l
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Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1917, Page 6
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1,231NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR BOARD. Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1917, Page 6
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