HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 March 1920, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING, The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth Harbor Board was held yesterday, there being present: Messrs Newton King (chairman), C. E. Bellringer, E. Dockrill, J. S. Connett, C. McGuinness, C- A. Wilkinson, D. J. Hughes, and E. Maxwell. An apology for absence was received from Mr. gageHARBOR MASTER'S REPORT. Tlie harbormaster (Captain. W. Waller) reported 20 vessels had entered the port during the month, the aggregate tonnage of which was 19,702 tons. TJie imports totalled GGSO tons and exports 2893 tons. In a letter to the Board Captain Waller suggested that two lights be placed on the beacons recently erected on the south side of the harbor to marl: the foundation of the breakwater extension now 'being laid. These lights would give warning at night time and enable vessels to clear the dangers off the breakwater end. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer (Mr. J. Blair Mason), submitted the following report on the Board's works for the period ending March 13th, 1920: Dredging.—Dredging operations have been carried out at No. 4 moorings immediately ahead of the wharf and along the sand bank at the breakwater. The cut at No.. 2 moorings is almost completed, which will make the cut the required length of 650 feet and in line with No. 1. It is intended to lift the moorings and place them ahead of the wharf so as to remove the existing shoal before the dredge lays up for annual overhaul. The ground inshore was very tight, with many closely packed boulders, making dredging difficult. The dredging returns for the month of February arc as follows: New dredging 2612 tons; maintenance dredging 13,800 tons; deposited on line of breakwater, 2612 tons; total dredged by buckets, 3012 tons, by pump 13,400 tons; grand total, 16,412 tons, equal to 45 loads. The total time worked was 190 hours 30 minutes; miles steamed 1565; coal used, 56 tons. | Breakwater Extension.—The material dumped on the breakwater extension for the Hfontli of February amounted to 2480 tons of stone deposited by the Thomas King and 2612 tons of dredgings by the Paritutu, making a total of 5072 tons. The work done is now perceptibly breaking the. swell off the end of the breakwater. When the locomotive recently purchased from the Railway Department, and extra trucks are in commission, the rate of deposit by the Thomas King will be much increased. Quarries.—Moturoa: No. B Tunnel has been driven 27 feet and should be completed ready for charging before the Easter holidays. It is proposed to explode No. A and B tunnels on Easter Monday. No. 3 tunnel was fired on the Sth inst. The result was successful, a large mass of stone sliding ii.to the gap. The remainder of the loose material is being barred down. Fishing Rock: All work in the quarry is proceeding satisfactorily. The railway tracks are being attended to, and prepared to carry the anticipated heavier traffic. General.—Wharf repairs are in progress. On the west side, three new piles are about to be driven. Two new floating fenders have been procured and prepared. The lower walings are being renewed in totara where requisite. The buildings for housing the men are completed and occupied. The erection of the machinery in the engineer's and the carpenters' workshop is well advanced, and the installation of electric power in hand. Repairs have been effected to the boiler of the Thomas King, also the 25-ton quarry cfane, together with sundry repairs to plant generally. GENERAL. The Deputy Housing Superintendent wrote to the effect that the Crown Solicitors were of opinion that the Harbor Board is not an employer in an industry to which the Housing Act can ue applied. and consequently the Housing Board was unable to recommend that the Board should be included in the list of essential industries under Part 3 of the Housing Act. The matter has been placed before the Prime Minister, but nothing can be done until Parliament amends the Act. Application was made on behalf of an outside syndicate for permission to erect cottages on the beach near Strandon. It was decided to invite the. applicant to meet the Board and furnish more details of the scheme, before taking any action in the matter.