HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1919, Page 6

HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth Harbor Board was held yesterday, there being present Messrs. N. King (chairman), C. E. Bellringer, E. Dockrill, J. McCluggage, J. S. Connett, D. J. Hughes, C. McGuinness and E. MaxwellAn apology for absence was received from Mr C. A. Wilkinson, M.P. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer reported as follows: Dredging.—The dredge has been working on the cast side of the main wharf and alongside the breakwater at the north end of the coal bin, deepening a berth for the Thomas King. On the 16th ult. the dredge was laid up owing to a north-west gale. During the above period the dredge worked on 23 days, the net time being 200* hours, of which six hours were occupied in coaling. Fortyfive loads were removed from the 33ft. area arid alongside the wharf, and 13 loads from the breakwater at the outer cn<f of'the coal bin, making a total of 58 loads, equal to 23,100 tons, which was deposited at sea. Quarry.—At Moturoa a jetty has been erected to land the men and stores. The men's quarters and blacksmith's shop are well under way, and will be completed next week. A track is being cut aiouifil the island, and a tunnel has been started on the south side. At the Fishing Rock quarry, the men have been blasting and baring down stone ready for hau]ii(T(.. G-'npral.—The boiler for the 25-ton crane >» to hand, and is being erected in position." The jib of the 40-ton crane has been seirt to Wellington for repairs. The boiler belonging to the five-ton crane is under repair in Auckland. The workshop staff are repairing the lower frame of the 40-ton crane, fitting water tanks on to the 25-ton crane, and revolving rollers on to the five-ton travelling crane. The shelter house near the Fishing Rock quarry has been repaired and made habitable. The works office has been fitted up for the stores clerk. Two men have been employed'continuously in renewing and repairing wharf walings. One hundred and fifty-one tons of coal were received in trucks ex Regulus, and were discharged into the bins by the crane and grab buckets.

HARBORMASTER'S REPORT. Captain Waller (harbormaster) reported that during the four weeks 29 vessels entered the port, the aggregate [tonnage being 25,916 tons. - Imports totalled 6754 tons and exports 1552 tons, making a total of 8306 tons. The Government landed 452 tons of coal. Captain Waller also reported that the harbor was sounded on the sth and. Bth insts. The channel from seaward maintained a good, depth, and was 400 feet wide in the narrowest part. The eastern side of the wharf had recently been dredged to a depth of 32ft. l.w.s.t. 580 ft. long and 200 ft. wide. '■■ • APPLICATION FOR SITES. , The British Imperial Oil Company wrote asking that its name be included in the list of applicants for sites when a portion of the board's property was being set aside for oil stores. It was decided to reply that at present the board was not in a position to set aside any area of land for oil sites, but that the board would communicate with the company further on the matter at a later date. HAULAGE AND LABOR CHARGES. The acting stationmaster (Mr. J. J. O'Shea) wrote that in future the board would be required to pay the usual •haulage charges and labor charges, if any, on their coal and other material landed into railway trucks ex ship and landed to the Harbor Board's siding on the wharf. It was decided to communicate with the Minister of Railways protesting against the proposed action of the Department, and pointing out that, as Government coal was landed free of any charge by the board, the least the Dspartment could do was to forego any charge on the board's coal or other material which was used for the purpose of keVping the port open. A copy of the resolution will be forwarded to local members of Parliament asking for their support. GENERAL. It was decided, on the motion of Mr. approach the Borough Council' with a Bellringer, seconded by Mr. Connett, to request that additional lighting facilities be provided for the approaches to the wharf. Accounts amounting to £2IBO 18s 7d were passed for payment.