HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 April 1918, Page 7

HARBOR BOARD.

. MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the New Elymouth FJajbor Board was held yesterday. There were present Messrs N. King (chairman), G. K. Bellringer, Iv Dockrill, J. McCluggage, J. S. Connett, C McGuinness, and E. Maxwell. An apology for absence was received from Mr. 1). J. Hughes.

HARBORMASTER'S REPORT. The harbormaster (Captain Waller) reported that 29 vessels had entered the port during the month, the aggerate tonuage of which was 22,554 tons. The imports were 6247 tons, and exports 3997 tons, and Government coal landed 100 tens.

DAMAGE BY STORM. In a special report, Captain Waller stated that a storm of exceptional severity, cyclonic in its movement, was experienced on March 19 and 20 It started at about 10 p.m. on the 18th inst., the wind being E.N.E., gradually increasing in force. It reached its maximum intensity at about 10 a.m. on the 10th with the wind at N.W., and Wowing with hurricane force and a heavy sea running. By midnight on the 20th it had Mown Itself out, though a heavy sea was still running. The Kittawa, Karu and the Waimea were at the wharf at the time, and the Rarawa 'berthed at 2 p.m. on the 13th, a very heavy sea running 'at the time. No damage was done to the shipping. At about 9.30 a.m. on the 19th the wharf-laborers' shed was carried bodily by the force of the sea halfway across the wharf, and was partly wrecked. Three other small buildings were washed from their positions and damaged. The side of the rope shed was knocked in, also the end of the small shed near the boat sheds. No damage was actually done to the breakwater, but one of the parapet blocks, opposite the bunkers, was broken, and a number of rails wrenched out by the sea. The rubble protective works seaward of the breakwater, for several hundred feet from the end, show evidence of subsidence. Accounts amounting to £1737 8s 5d were passed for payment. The board then went into committee.