HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 November 1917, Page 7

HARBOR BOARD.

..MONTiILY MEETING. Tlio monthly meeting of tlic New Plymouth Harbor Board was held yesterday. Present: Messrs. Newton King (chairman), C. E. Be'llringer, J. (i. Connett, J. McCluggage, <E. Maxwell, C. E. McGujnness, D. J. Hughes, and C. A. Wilkinson, M.P. HARBOR MASTER'S REPORT. The Harbor Master (Captain Waller) reported that for the period of four weeks ending November 10 21 vessels entered the port of an aggregate tonnage of 17,515 tons. The imports amounted to 5440 tons and the exports to 521 tons, a total of 59C1 tons of cargo handled; SO9 tons of Government coal had been landed. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. The works superintendent (Mr. F.Henderson) reported that the Paritutu had dredged 20 days, the net time being 179 hours, and had removed a total quantity of 21,400 tons of spoil in 53.V loads as follows: From the '2B-foot, channel outside the Breakwater, seven days in lifting 17 loads with the buckets; from the third fairway cut inside the Breakwater, ten days in lifting 224 loads with.the buckets and three days in lifting 14 loads with the sand pump. The second 28-foot cut across the outer channel had been completed. Dredging was stopped on. Labor Day, on one day through rpuirh weather, on two days for the quarterly boiler cleaning. The Thomas King worked on 18 days, the net time being 100 hours ,and removed 7000 tons of spoil in fls loads, four of which were lifted from the weat side of the wharf with the grab bucket. The-men had been engaged in the usual repairs to the wharf and plant, including a general overhaul of the larger locomotive as ordered by the Inspector of Machinery. LIGHTING CHARGES. The Town Clerk of New Plymouth wrote giving formal notice t.hnt the existing contract between the Harbor Board and the Council for the supply of electric energy for lighting the harbor [•works would be determined as from March 31 next. Regarding the increase of candle power made by the Board in April last the existing charges to be made therefor would be adjusted by the electrical engineer in accordance with the terms of the contract. After March 31 next and until further notice the I Council would be prepared to accept payj inent for the current consumed at the rate oF Cd per unit, with, a further discount of. l*d per unit if paid for within 14 days of the reading of the meter, ' subject to the condition that all amounts rcccivedfor lighting supplies to shipping over and above £22 per annum should |-be paid to the Council, and that no current should be sold to shipping at lew than Od per unit net. The chairman remarked that when a timber schooner had lain alongside the wharf for a period of three weeks or a month the six 1000 c.p. lights had been kept burning all night, a matter of 14 or 15 out of the 24 hours, which was sheer waste.

Mr. Bellringor moved and Mr. Hughes seconded, that instructions be given to the Harbor Master that while vessels are lying alongside the wharf and not working not more than three lamps should be .kept burning and that these lights should be extinguished at midnight. The motion was carried, and it was decided to agree to the Council's terms for the supply of electrical power.

BOYALTY ON METAL. , The Taranaki County Council applied' for a reduction in royalty on stone removed from the Pari tutu beach for the upkeep of thei Main South road. The Council felt that 2s per cubic yard was too high a levy when the class of stone was taken into consideration. The stone was exceptionally poor in quality, but' was the only material available for the Main South road between the borough boundary and Omata. The cost of the stone crushed and tipped on the road was 12s Od per yard. The Main South road was the most difficult and costly road in the County to maintain and the average cost per mile, from New Plymouth to Puniho was £287. The Omata portion was considerably higher, and at 12s '(id the cost worked out at £3OO per mile without labor. There was no doubt that the interests of the Ilarbpr ,Board and the County were identical, and to a certain extent dependant on one another, and consequently tho Council felt that any concession would be to the mutual advantage of both bodies. Mr. Wilkinson moved that the royalty be reduced to Is Od per cubic yard. The chairman said that the reduction would make a big difference to the Board as the whole of the gravel reserve? would .be affected. The charges had been .fixed and agreed to. An agreement was an agreement and should be adhered to. The material was readily saleable at 2s per yard. • Mr. Wilkinson stated that the Council required only 200 more cubic yards to complete the road, and ho thought that the reduction .should be made. . After further discussion, the motion was put to the meeting but was lost. Accounts amounting to £1414 0s lOd were passed for payment. The Board then went into committee.