HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1919, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth Harbor Board was held yesterday, there being present; Messrs. N. King (chairman), E. Dockrill, J. McCluggage, .1. S. Connett, C. McGutnness, C. E Bellringer and E. Maxwell. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs. C. A'. Wilkinson. MP., and D. J. Hughes. HARBORMASTER'S REPORT. The harbormaster (Captain W. Waller) reported that 21 vessels of an aggregate tonnage of 17,869 tons had visited the port during the month. The imports amounted to 4030 tons and exports to 2181 tons. The Government coal landed amounted to 428 tons. A special report was also submitted in regard to the drifting of the launch Tukua to sea and her towing in by the dredge l'aritutu. The Board expressed its approval of the action of the harbormaster and the dredgemaster in going to the assistance ot the launch. ENGINEER'S REPORT. ' The engineer reported on the Board's works for the four weeks ended August 9, 1919, as follows: Dredging—During the past four weeks dredge Poritutu has been working mainly in the berthage alongside the wharf. The material consists of silt, also rubbish such as manlla and wire rope, etc., which caused one day's delay owing to its becoming entangled around the hopper kelsons. On the 7th Inst, the launch Tukua was blown out to sea. The harbormaster went out with the dredge and towed the launch to port; this occupied half a day. Two holidays for the peace celebrations were observed during the month, and one day's dredging was lost owing to the northerly gale. Daring the above period the dredge was working on 19% tlie net time being IGB hours, and removed 40 loads from the berthage on the east side of the wharf, three loads from the breakwater at the north of the coal bin, and three loads from the fairway, making a total of 40 loads, equal to 18,400 tons, which were deposited at sea. Thomas King.—Tlie annual Government Inspection of the Thomas King has just been completed, the dredge being now alongside Iho wharf, ready for transporting stone on to tlie breakwater site. (luarry.—At the Fishing Rock quarry the stone Is Doing blasted down ready for transporting to the breakwater. Some of the large boulders on the beach are being hauled up alongside the railway line and will be used In the work. A start has been made at Moturoa to erect a small jetty for landing men and stores on the island; a blacksmith's shop and but for the employees are also under way. General.—The cranes and locomotive have just recently been inspected by the Machinery Department. The boiler on the 5-ton crane requires repairs, also the jib on the 40-ton crane. This work has been put in hand. The blockwaggons are being overhauled,and new decking fitted. Pour new skips have been made for handling stone on tho block trucks The carpenters have been engaged in repairing fenders and decking on the wharf. The launch has arrived from Auckland and has been surveyed by the Government Inspector. Some small renewal were required, also certain life-saving appliances. The boat is now in commission and is giving satisfaction. GENERAL. In regard to the Borough Council's enquiry as to whether the Board had arrived at any decision as to the suggested sale or exchange to the Borough of Reserve 97, Fitzroy, it was decided to reply that the Board had not yet come to a decision on the matter. After some discussion on the question of the utilisation of tho Board's reserve nt Bell Block, it was decided to have a survey of the section made with a view to roadlng the property. A letter was received from the Marine Department anprovlng of the Board's plans for the harbor extension works. Accounts amounting to £5027 were passed for payment. v