HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 May 1918, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the New (Plymouth Harbor Board was held yesterday, there being present: Messrs Newton King (chairman), E. Maxwell, E. Dockrill, C. E. Bellringer, J. S. Connett, D.' J. Hughes, J. McCluggage, C. E. McGuinness, and C. A. Wilkinson, M.P.

HARBOR MASTER'S REPORT. The harbormaster (Captain Waller) reported that for the four weeks ended May 11 24 vessels of an aggregate tonnage of 10,931, had entered the port. The imports totalled 7412 tons (including 2920 tons of Government coal), and the exports 1138 tons, making a total of 8550 tons.

WORKS SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. Mr. F. Henderson, superintendent of works, reported: Between the 11th and •?SMi Maveh t-lm iParitutu dredged on 12 days, principally at the outer basin, and removed 21 loads, equal to 8400 tons, in 104 hours. After the Easter holidays preparations were made for the overhaul voyage to Wellington, the vessel leaving on the 3rd and arriving on April 4, and was taken up on the slip on April S. Slip repairs occupied six days, and in addition to the usual cleaning and painting of hull and shipping of spare tail shifts, included two large sheathing plates in the hopper and one in the ladder well, the replacing of four of the hopper doors and a cover strip over a plate landing on the port side, the whole requiring about SOO rivets. The overhaul to engines, winches, and boilers was afterwards carried out at the wharf, also the repairing and strengthening of the lower end of the ladder, which had given some trouble six months ago, when the vessel was laid up for repairs. It was found that the under structure was very loose, and the supporting angle bars and plates were broken right through. The tumbler joints had also begun to open out, and extensive repair? had to bo undertaken, which at present prices of steel plates and angles ran into considerable expense. An additional stiffening plate 14ft. long was fitted to the inside of the ladder, which, with the renewal of the broken plates and angle?, should add greatly to the original strength. The Paritutu returned on May 0. and resumed work on the outer basin on May 13. For the four weeks ended May 11 the Thomas King worked on 20 days, net time 170 hours, and removed 100 loads, equal to SOOO tons. This dredge was laid up one day through rough weather, and was three days under repair. The waterside workers' shed has now been rebuilt and all fittings replaced, including lockers, water, and lighting. LABOR OK WHARVES. The Marine Department forwarded a circulas letter asking the Board's opinion on an alteration of the Act j asked for, to provide that all labor on wharves shall be under the control of harbor boards.

It was decided to reply to the effect that the board understood that the matter would be discussed at the annual conference of harbor boards, to be held in Wellington on July 31.

From the discussion the general impression of members seemed to be that the position might be met by leaving it optional, so that boards could adopt whichever of the two systems they thought most advantageous, GENERAL. Accounts amounting to £1726 Is Cd were passed for payment.