HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1917, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. Tlie monthly meeting of the New Plymouth Harbor Board was held yesterday, In the absence of Mr. Newton King, Mr. E. Maxwell presided, and there were present: Messrs C. E. lk-llriiiger, K. Dockrill, J. McCluggage, J. S. Connett, D. J, Hughes and 0. McGuinness. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT The report on the work for the four weeks ending October 13 stated that the Paritutu had dredged on -21 days, the net time being 183 hours, and removed a total quantity of 20,400 tons of spoil in 51 loads, of which 24 were lifted from the third fairway cut inside the breakwater and 27 from the 28ft channel outside the breakwater. 'Dredging was stopped for three days by bad weather. The Thomas King worked 1,11 hours in 11 days and removed 3300 tons of spoils in 42 loads, 22 from the shipping birth and 20 from the breakwater bank. Three new piles had been driven at the west side of the wharf and a number of braces and chafing pieces erected. Gates were erected to control the approaches to the wharves and breakwater. HARBOR MASTER'S REPORT. The harbor master reported that during the four weeks 23 vessels had entered the port, of an aggregate tonnage of 21,134 tons; 'OOIO tons of goods were imported and exports ■nnounted to 1113 tons, a total of 10,723 tons. 740 tons Government coal, were landed. One oversea vessel had been in port. The reports were adopted. CORRESPONDENCE. A request was received from the local Watersidcrs' Union asking that the Board should provide a hand ambulance and first aid outfit in order that accidents at the wharf could be properly dealt with. The secretary said that the position at New Plymouth was different from that at other ports. The Board itself employed no labor for the working of shipping, which was worked by employees of the railway and the shipping companies. At Wellington no less than 400 permanent casuals and 300 casual casuals were employed. Mr. Hughes moved that the request be acceded to and the mofion wag carried. The clerk of the Taranaki County Council wrote pointing out that the council considered that the royalty of 2s per cubic yard on stone taken from the Board's quarries near the breakwater were excessive.

Mr. Connett said that the royalty was much higher than was usually paid, and that the stone was not of good quality. Moreover the council and the board were both working in the interests of the general public and the council's request for a reduction was justified. The question was held over till the next meeting.

Some correspondeuce was received from the naval advisor regarding regulations recently formulated with reference to precautions necessary to guard eversea vessels loading or unloading at the port, and the issue of passes to those working or going on the wharf.

The chairman so id that it would be almost impossible to maintain a guard on the wharf at New Plymouth when vessels remained in port for any length of time, as the local polics force was not strong enough. Attention was also drawn to the regulation prohibiting aliens, whether friendly or not, from working on wharves. It was decided to forward copies of the correspondence to the harbor master and tho police. The secretary of tho Taranaki Club wrote that the trustees could not accept a renewal of the lease of the club aitc as fixed at the recent valuation. He assumed that a new valuation would have to be made and the new lease offered for sale by public auction. He suggested that as the value of the premises would be materially lessened by the Liquor Restriction Bill, likely to become law in a few days, the making of a new valuation might well be deferred. —The matter was held over. GENERAL. The chairman, the secretary and Mr. Bellringer were appointed a committee to go into the question of lighting charges on the wharf. It was reported that a tender of £lo for the removal of gravel from the beach at Waiwakaiho had been accepted. Accounts amounting to £IBB4 Is 3d were passed for payment, and the board then went into committee.