HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 February 1918, Page 7

HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth Ilarbor Board was held yesterday afternoon. In the absence of Mr. Newton King, the chair was occupied by Mr, E. Maxwell. There were also present: Messrs. C. E. Bellringer, J. S. Connett, .1. McCluggage, C. McGuinness, C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., E. Dockrill and D. J. Hughes. HARBORMASTER'S REPORT, The harbormaster (Captain Waller) reported foiJthe month ending February 9, that 23 vessels had entered the port, the aggregate tonnage of which was 10,902 tons. The'fftiports were 4433 tons, and exports 539 ions. The Government coal landed amounted to 223 tons. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT The superintendent of works (Mr. F. Henderson) reported that for the period ended February !) the Paritutu had dredged on twenty days, the net time worked being 178 hours. A total of 20,800 tons of spoil had been removed in .52 loads as follows: From the fourth nwl fifth outer channel cuts, 22 loads in S5 hours; from the third fairway cut, 26 loads in 74 hours; and from the inner eastern berth, 4 loads in 19 hours. Two days were occupied with the quarterly boiler cleaning, and two days in shifting moorings, coaling, changing buckets and towing. The fourth cross-channel cut had been completed, and a fifth commenced, which had been advanced 90 feet. The Thomas King worked on 22 days, the net time being 192 hours. The spoil removed was 11,120 tons in 139 loads. The dredge is to lay up from the 24th instant for the annual inspections and overhaul. The old Goliath crane lias been taken down and cut into pieces suitable for transport, and all other scrap has been gathered together ready for shipment when advised. ' RESERVE EXCHANGES. The town clerk of New Plymouth wrote asking if the board would entertain a proposal for the exchange of sections 4 to 3 and 2fl to 30 (inclusive), Mt. Eliot Reserve, for land of equal value owned by the Borough Council. The town clerk pointed out that at some future date the Borough Council would, lio doubt, be called upon to erect a municipal theatre and town hall, and it was felt that the sections referred to would prove a very suitable site. If, being situated opposite the railway station, they were let in small ureas, it was feared a number of small tihops might be erected there, which would be undesirable from the council's point of view, as they would give a poor impression of the tqwn to visitors arriving. Subject to such adjustment as might be necessary to provide for an equality of exchange, the council was prepared to offer to the board the following sections: Sub-division'l, 2, and 3 of section 2335 (occupied 1 by E. Griffiths and Co. and others), sections 2330 (old Town Hall), and 23!17 (occupied by Messrs. W. P. Nicoll and Co.). The ~i-improved improved Government valuation in 1013 of the Mt. Eliot sections was £Bl4l, the area being 3roods 4,3 perches. The value of. the borough sections offered in exchange was ±IB2OO, the area being Irood l'2.s!>perehes. The letter admitted the matter of values would require consideration, but suggested that if the board approved the principle of the exchange, details and values could be decided liter, in such manner as should be mutually agreed upon. Mr. Bellringer said that if an equitable proposal could be made, it would receive his support. He recognised the need for caution, as both bodies were trustees for the public. If, by such an exchange, lie board could assist the Borough Council in the improvement of the town, he thought they should do so. They must, however, conserve the board's interests, lie moved that a committee be so' up, consisting of the chairman, Messrs. Maxwell, Wilkinson, Connett. and the mover, to consider the proposal, confer with the Borough Council, and report tt the board. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hughes. Mr. Wilkinson pointed out that the board represented a wide district in Taranaki, and they musl be very careful i: dealing with their reserve Personally, as a country member of i..e board, lie was amazed that the people of New Plymouth had allowed the sections facing the station to remain idle so long, If New Plymouth was going to L • the town they anticipated, they should consider carefully before parting with those sections. Mr. Maxwell said he was of the same opinion as Mr. Wilkinson regarding the necessity for caution. The board was not a benefactor. He referred to the fact that one section offered in the proposed exchange (that on which the Soldiers' Club stood) was not actually let, and was not revenue-producing, and they must be careful lest they did anything ■that was against the interests of the board. Mr. Hughes referred to the board's sections which had been lying idle for some time, and he thought that if the'proposed exchange won"' .give tho board some revenue-producing reserves, and the exchange could be arranged on an equitable basis, they should consider the proposal. Mr. Bellringer, in reply, said, in reference to the site of the Soldiers' Club, that, the whole district, and not New Plymouth only, reaped lie benefit of the club. He was of opinion that the club was quite as essential to the country districts as to the town. The board had a responsibility to the soldiers. No sacrifice made by those at home could be comparable to the sacrifice of the men who went to the front. The club, however, was only n temporary premises, and it was hoped that in the future—and it might La in the near future—that more suitable premises would be secured for a soldiers' club, which would, in all probability, be a permanent establishment. Mr. Maxwell said he did not want to create an impression that he was unmindful of the sacrifices made by the soldiers. He agreed that the public at home could make no 'sacrifice equal to that of those who had gone to the war. The board represented a wide district, however, and must consider more than the- benefits that would result to New Plymouth in such a matter. On the motion for the setting up of the committee being put, it was carried unanimously. HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS. Mr. Bellringer raised the question of whether or not some statement should be made' to the public as to the progress being made in the consideration of the plans for harbor extensions and improvements. He said it was common knowledge that the board had been conferring with Mr. Blair Mason on the matter, and there was a feeling in some quarters that the board w4# acting too secretively.

He recognised that little could be said at the present time, but lie thought something might be suid to allay public anxiety. Mr. Wilkinson supported Mr. Bellringer's suggestion. _ The chairman then intimated for public information that the board had met on several occasions, in committee, with Mr. Blair Mason, of JJunedin, and was considering plans and reports on proposed extensions) and improvements, but these had not been completed, or finally agreed upon. Mr. Mason had been appointed consulting engineer'to the board, and when the details of the extension scheme were completed the public would be taken fully into the board's confidence. GENERAL. An application under the Sale of Liquor Restriction Act, for a reduction of the rent of the Grosvenor Hotel was referred to the board's solicitor to watcli the board's interests in the matter. Accounts amounting to £1357 14s were passed for payment. : The board then went into committee.