HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 July 1919, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of tie New Plymouth Harbor Board was held on Friday, there being present: Messrs N. King (chairman), E. Maxwell, C. McGuimiess, D. J. Hughes, C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., and E. Doekrill. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs J. S. Connett, J. McCluggage, and C. E. Bellringer. HARBORMASTER'S REPORT. The harbormaster (Captain W. Waaler) reported that during the month 21 vessels had entered the port, the aggregate tonnage of which totalled 26,299 tons. The imports amounted ,to 5820 tons, and exports! to 998 tons; and Government coal landed 747 tons. The Whakatano arrived on June 22 from Timaru and loaded 408 tons of frozen meat and sailed for Picton on the 27th. Her loaded draught was 20ft. 3in. forward and 17ft. sin. aft.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer (per Mr G. A. Lee) reported aa follows: Dredging.—The dredge P&ritutu returned from the annual overhaul in Wellington on the 15th, ult., vand after spending three days relaying moorings, dismantling spare gear, etc., was ready ,to' start dredging, but owing to a continuance of heavy gales, was laid up for nine days. On the 30th June the weather was favorable and the dredge commenced to clean out the berthage on the east side of the wharf; pince then the worlc lias been carried on continuously. During the above period the dredge was working on twelve days, equal to 102 working hours, and removed 33 loads ot silt (13,300 tons) which was deposited at sea.

Thomas King.—The Tliomas King was placed on the gridiron for the purpose of sighting the hull and drawing of tail shaft preparatory ,to Government survey. The boilers have been opened up, engines taken down and overhauled, and steam pipes tested, all in accordance with the Government regulations. The hull and hopper are being chipped and painted, and tip boxes fitted on the deck for ,the purpose of depositing stone on to the of breakwater. It is expected to float the vessel off the gridiron at the nest spring tide. Quarry.—The quarry foreman commenced. on the Ist inst, Since then a start has been made to open out the fishing rock quarry, which shows a fairly good sample of stone. The 25 ton crane at ,the fishing rock quarry has been hauled into the yard for repairs. A new boiler is required. A secondhand one of a suitable size is under offer, but owing to the restricted railway regulation it is impossible to get delivery. The railway siding into the quarry is being repaired and ■wsiitertables cleaned out, and the water service is also being overhauled. General —Six chafing piers and three new sets of walings liave been renewed 'at the wharf, also minor repairs to the decking, and kerbing stone skips are being made for the quarry work and alterations carried out to the deck of the Thomas King. A launch for landing men and stores on Moturoa has been purchased in Auckland. Some small repairs are required, and as soon as these are completed the launch will be [shipped from Onehunga.

GENERAL. The Westport Coal Company wrote intimating that in consequence of the increased railway freight, the price of the company's coal to the Board would have to be increased by 2s per ton—the amount of the increased freight. [ A was received from several of the shipping companies trading to the port to load frozen meat and dairy produce that the decking of the wharf should be brought up to the level of the railway lines for a sufficient distance to j cover the hatchways of vessels—approxi'mately 150 feet.—The matter was referred to the engineer for consideration. The question of the terms of the lease of houses on the Board's reserve at Ngamo.tu was referred to a sub-committee to report upon. Accounts amounting to '£4754 were passed for payment.