HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 June 1920, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth 1 Harlfor Board was held yesterday. Present: Messrs. Newton King (chairman), J. S. Connett, J. McCluggage, C. McGuinness, E. Maxv;ell, and C. A. Wilkinson. Apologies were received from Messrs. D. J. Hughes and C. H. Burgess. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer (Mr. J. Blair Mason) reported as follows: Dredging.—The Paritulu left for Wellington on April 6 for her annual overhaul, and returned to New Plymouth on May 20th. The Government inspection of the vessel was more extensive and rigid than heretofore, and much additional work lias been ordered to De done. The new regulations now in forco make nil winches, hoists and cranes subject to inspection and repairs and renewals ordered by the inspector, similar to that required for the propelling machinery. The principal large renewals and repairs not previously undertaken were: New plating to the ladder well; new ladder hanging casting; sheathing the forward bulkhead; and dividing bulkheads of the hopper. The vessel is certainly now in first-class trim throughout, but the cost of this work has been excessive. The Increases m the 'charges for labor compared with tlii) charges of last year's overhaul amount to over £OOO. Now that the Board has Its own workshop it is intended to carry out the overhaul of the machinery and above water parrs of the vessel at this port, and thus confine expenditure to slipway charges and the cost of underwater repairs only. Dredging was commenced on .Tune Ist, the work consisting of widening and deepening the berth on the east aide of the wharf. Thomas King—Stormy weather and high sens during May delayed the barging of stone for five days. The output for the month was 3420 tons which was all deposited on the line of the breakwater. Soundings taken every fifty feet on the line of the breakwater show a least depth of 4ft at a distance of 100 to 150 ft from the end of the breakwater.' In places the wall is awash at low water. Quarries —The No. B tunnel on the eastern face of Moturoa was fired on Thursday, the 10th inst. Tha tunnel was driven to 42fi and charged with 105 case 3of Monobil. The result was up to expectations, a large mass of good solid stone, estimated at 00,000 tons being brought down. It is now possible to start to open up a quarry face. At tha FisliIng Sock quarry, work i 3 progressing as usual, Five trucks purchased in Auckland hiva arrived and as soon as the stone skips are completed the trucks will he put in commission. Nine sets of wheels have arrived from \Y?stport, these are being fitted Into new truck frames made In the workshop. General.—The shelter shed on the wharf is well tinder way; the walls and roof are in position and as soon as the balance of the material comes to band the work will be completed. Considerable difficulty is experienced In getting supplies of timber and other materials for the works. Stocks throughout Now Zealand are low and shipping space difficult to secure. Stores ordered months ago are still not delivered. Five new sets of lower walings have been fixed under the wharf, and three more are prepared. The old walings have been stripped from three of the buoys in readiness for replacing wttn new ones. Three chafing pieces have been fixed, and six prepared'. Four additional electric light clusters have been made, making eight now available for the use of shipping. These are giving every satisfaction and considerably facilitate the working of cargo at night The two beacons recently erected on the foreshore to guide shipping clear of the' breakwater extension have each been furnished with a screened red light for service at night. The motor for driving the workshop machinery has been installed and onehalf of the machines aTe now running; the balaaco will be working as soon as the driving pulleys come to haficj. A quantity of timber and sleepers has arrived from Greymoulh. HARBORMASTER'S REPORT. Tlie Harbormaster (Captain Waller) reported that for the period of Ave weeks ended June 12, the number of, vessels entering the port was' 23, of an aggregate tonnage of 27,730 tons, The Imports were 11,421 tons and exports 2023 tons, a total of 14,344 tons. The amount of Government coal landed was 2000 tons, Tho s.s. Gallic, belonging to the White Star Line, arrived at 8.30 a.m. on May 25th from Brisbane. She toolc In S2S tons of frozen meat and sailed on the 27th for Waitara roadstead. Her length was 402 feet, beam 58 feet, tonnage 7911. She was berthed at low water, her loaded draught being 19 feet 2 Inches. In his supplementary reports. Captain Waller stated that the lights on the beacons on Ihe south side of the harbor ha 4 been Installed and approved of by the Mrirlno Department. The lights would be exhibited on July 1. Tho harbormaster also reported having brought under tho notice of the Marine Department the fact that the plan of the New Plymouth harbor on the Admiralty chart was on too small a scale, and the need of revision and connection for up-to-date navigable requirements. Tlie reports were adopted. GENERAL. In accordance with notice previously given, Mr. Wilkinson moved: "That the wharfage on butter and cheese be increased to 3s per ton. The mover explained that the motion was Intended to bring the charges up to those charged by other boards in the Dominion. The chairman expressed the opinion that , the motion was absolutely fair. Mr. McGuinness opposed the motion on the , grounds that produce from the southern portion of tho district would probably now be , sent away via Patea. The other members of the board supported the motion, which was carried, Mr. McGuinness dissenting. , The Commisisoner of Crown Lands (Mr. G. ! H, Bullard) notified that the Minlstw of • Lands had agreed t'"it tho portion of the , Moturoa Prison Reserve required for road I deviation purposes should be granted to the board. The stationmaster, New Plymouth, wrote asking what rent the Board proposed to ask for the use of the shed now being erectod on the wharf, and that the Railway Department be given first refusal of same. Mr. Wilkinson said that In view of the , direct Importations wheh had been arranged for, a portion of the shed should be set aside for the use of private firms. On tho chairman's suggestion, the -Board decided to vißlt the breakwater that after- , noon, and discuss the position there. VISIT TO BREAKWATER. Ia the afternoon the meimbers of the Board paid a visit to the Breakwater and inspected the work going on there. It had been Intended to resume the meeting after the visit, but owing to the lateness of their reurn; this was abandoned.