HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 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), C. E. Bellringer, E. Dockrill, J. McCluggage, J. S. Connett, D. J. Hughcß, 0. McGuinness, and E. Maxwell. An apology for absence was received from Mr. C. A. Wilkinson. HARBORMASTER'S REPORT. The harbormaster (Captain W. Waller) reported 18 vessels had entered and left the port, the aggregate tonnage of which was 17,360 tons. The imports were 4468 tons, and exports 4034 tons. The S.S. and A. liner ICia Ora took in 2053 tons of frozen produce from the port between November 25 and December 5. In a supplementary report Captain Waller said the harbor was sounded on the 12th inst. The channel was 400 ft wide, with a depth of 24 feet at k.w.o.s.t. The depth on the east side of the wharf for liners was from 31 to 32 feet, 1.w.0.B.t. The stone and boulders deposited on the breakwater end by the Thomas King end the Paritutu were now beginning to tell. The decreased depth was shown on the soundings plan. Soundings taken on October 17 (the day before the shot was flred at Moturoa), and subsequently" on the, 16th inst., showed that a considerable portion of stone had lodged in the right direction between Moturoa and the Lion Rock. ENGINEER'S BEPORT. The engineers (Mesßrs Blair Mason and G. A. Lee) reported as follows: Dredging.—-The Paritutu dredged on 23 days, tha net working. time being 196 hours. She removed a total of 16,000 tons of spoil and 171 tons of boulders from the deck. The details are as follows: Lifted seven loads from the outer basin with buckets and deposited on the line of the Breakwater 1600 tons of spoil and 112 tons of boulders in 55 hours. Prom the 88ft. inshore area with tickets deposited on the line of breakwater, ten loads equal to 3200 tons of spoil and 59 tons boulders in 79 hours. Prom the western side of the fairway with sand pump, 28 loads, equal to 11,200 tons, in 62 hours. One day was occupied in coaling ex the s.s. Alexander, and in repairing hopper door. Eight buckets repaired by Messrs. Sparrow and Sons, Ltd., of Dunedin, are to hand ex s.s. Corinna am are now being placed on the ladder. Thomas King.—The Thomas King Is depositing stone on the Una of the breakwater. During the previous four weeks 1880 tons have been h&ndlod. Tho circulating and &lr pumps hare been giving some trouble; spare parts are being mads and it is hoped to have them renewed during the Christmas holidays. One day was lost by bad weather and two days by the circulating breaking dawn. Alterations will be made as soon as the timber is to hand, to the Thomas King's stone skips so as to increase the carrying capacity. Arrangements are being made to connect the bridge with the engine room by telegraph as the present speaking tube is not worklne too satisfactorily.

Quarries —Owing to the shortage of labor the full complement of men have not been obtained for the quarries. One of the difficulties and really the main one is the absence of housing accommodation. This will be alleviated to Bome extent by the erection of the huts. These are now tinder way, but owing to difficulty in obtaining timber It will probably be some weeks before they are completed. The No. 2 tunnel on Moturoa Is being worked double shifts and Is in 30ft. The driving will be completed about the 20th inst. Arrangements have been made to flro the tunnel on New Year's Day at S p.m. No. A tunnel on the east face of Moturoa is being worked one shift and is in 35 feet After seeing the result of No. 2 tunnel it wlli be decided whether to Are No. 2 tunnel Immediately, or drive another tunnel on the south side.

General—The workshop machinery purchased ftom Bluff arrived by the s.s. Corlnna and is at present Btored in the yard. The necessary buildings are under way, but as before mentioned, there is delay in obtaining delivery of timber. The machinery will be erected as soon as the labor is available. The jib for the 40-ton crane has arrived ftom Wellington and is now being erected. Some blue gum piles are being prepared for renewals to the west side of the wharf. The stock of copper sheeting is practically all used up A supply was ordered from the makers in England some time ago, but it is not yet to hand. There aro no timber piles nor J.B. timber left in stock. Enquiries have been made to And out if it was possible to purchase from some of the harbor boards, but none of them have any surplus. Under the circumstances it is recommended that a supply sufficient for repairs and maintenance be ordered from Ausi* La' of rails and crossings, say tip to 39 tons are requested for repairs to the lines and extensions, also motor for workshop, and it is recommended that these be purchased.