HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1920, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth Harbor Board was held yesterday, there being present: Messrs. Newton King (chairman), C. B. Kellrluger, E: Dockrill, J. McCluggage, J. S. Connett, D. J. Hughes, C. Mcliuinness, E. Maxwell, nnd C. A. Wilkinson. HARBORMASTER'S REPORT. The harbormaster (Captain W. Waller) reported the arrival of 20 vessels 'n port during five. weeks ended February 14, of a total aggregate tonnage of 17,732 tons. The imports were 0,168 tons and the exports 1,212 tons. Two hundred tons of coal were landed (or the Government. The schooner Lucy arrived from Portland with Oregon timber on January 31, landing 301,705 feet of timber. Sho sailed for Papeete on February 17. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineers (Messrs. Blair Mason and G. B. Lee) reported as follows: Dredging— Dredging has been confined to the Nil. 1 cut in the swinging basin, and the west aide of the fairway. The No. 1 cut Is 100 leet wide and Is being dredged to 25 feet low water. The Inshore end where the dredge Is at present working has been very heavy during the past week, causing considerable Interruption and severe strain on the machinery. The face is about 23 feet high and matted with ftoulders, which are very difficult to dislodge. ■ About another 15 feet will complete this cut. Gelignite, the only explosive available at present, does not give the same results as blasting gelatine. Arrangements have been made with Messrs. Nobel and Co.'s agents to forward supplies of gelatine as soon as they are available-'. The dredging returns for the month showed that 5464 tons, of now dredging were removed, 17,200 maintenance dredging, of which 18,700 tons were deposited at sea and 3,964 tons on the line of tho breakwater extension. Of the total amount dredged, 5,404 were lifted with buckets and 17,200 .by suction pump. The amount eaualled 57 loads of spoil. Tho total hours worked numbered 204. Tho average dredging time per load was 4hrs. 54min.'(buckets), and 40mln. (pumping). The average dredged per hour of total time worked was 111 tons. Total allies steamed was 211 miles. Thomas King.—Hoppers with two doors on each side have been fluid on the Thomas King In place of the skips, and are giving much better results. Eight skip loads can be carried each trip In place of 4 as previously. The work was completed on the 27th January, and up to' tho 31st ultimo 575 tons, were deposited on the Hue of the breakwater • The vessel la at present averaging between 4 und 5 trips per day. Quarries:—Moturoa.—A portion of the stone dislodged by the tiring of tha No. 2 tunnel has been barred down Into the gap between Moturoa and the Wharemu Rocks, tho balance not being suitably located to remove by gravity, will bo left for the Moturon-brealtwater wail.' A third tunnel directly above No. 2 Is being driven and will be ready to fire within the n«xt fortnight. The No. A tunnel high up on the east faco of tho Island is completed, and will be fired after No. 3 tunnel. Another tunnel hits been started below No. A. Double Shifts aro employed and the work let by gontrsct. A magazine is being excavated In the north side of the Island. Fishing Rock—The work in the Fishing Rock quarry is progressing satisfactorily. A horse has been purchased for making up the rakes In tho quarry ready for the locomotive. More trucks are required, but there Is difficulty In getting anything suitable one or probably two more cranes are required for tho quarry and general use; nlso a grab bucket of larger dimensions than that at present In use. Enquiries are being made In the Dominion for the above, and if anything nultabla offea-s, would -recommend that authority be given to inspect and purchase.

Genial.—One of the workmen's huts Is completed and tenanted. The second one Is well under way and will be completed In a few days. Tho store is pr.-Ktlcally completed, but tho carpenters' bliot> is held up owing to timber supplies not coming to hand. The workshop machinery is being erected as opportunity offers, but until, the buildings at present tinder way are completed, this work will be delayed. The locomotive purchased frfln the Railway Department landed by the last trip of the s.s Corinna. The engine was dismantled for shipping purposes and is now as.wnbled In the workshop. The present locomotive Is in a bad state of repair and will requlro considerable renewals. The No.' 3 orano has been engaged discharging timber ax Lucy. The launch was laid up for a few days owing to a defective ralve. The deckIns on the west sido of the wharf is being ropalred and new chafing pieces placed on the wharf face. GENERAL. X. G. G. Wlnkle'mann applied for permission to take about 500 tons of Iron saiid from the west sido of the breakwater between high and low water, for transhipment to Auckland for the purpose of carrying out extensive experiments for the production of iron.—Subject to the Board having the power the application was granted. Accounts amounting to £5095 Cs lid were passed for payment, Including £2107 for wages.