HARBOR EXPANSION

Taranaki Daily News, 23 October 1920, Page 7

HARBOR EXPANSION

PROPOSAL FOR QUAY REJECTED BIG SCHEME TO BE EXPEDITED THE ENGINEERS DESIGN

A comprehensive review of the position in connection with the New Plymouth harbor development scheme was made at a special meeting of the Harbor Board yesterday. Primarily the business was to consider a proposal brought down by Mr. E. Maxwell to make an amendment to the original scheme to provide for additional berthage to meet the growing requirements of the port. The suggestion was to put out a quay from the present wharf for a distance of about 1600 feet. This proposal was rejected on the ground of expense, the engineers (Messrs. Blair Mason and Lee) estimating that the scheme would necessitate an expenditure of about £200,000. Letters were received from the engineers tendering their resignation, and suggesting that a resident engineer be procured to give full time to the supervision of the work at Moturoa. After an allday meeting the Board deeided to accept the engineers' resignations, the question of retaining Mr. Blair Mason as consulting engineer being deferred. The Board also decided that while it was inadvisable to commence work on a new wharf at present, it was absolutely important that the extension of the breakwater for 800 feet, and the building of the wall in .the direction of Mo turoa Island, should be expedited as much aa possible.

The members of the Board present were:—Messrs. Newton King (chairman), E. Maxwell, C. McGuinness, C. H. Burgew, J. S. Connett, J. MeCluggsge, D. J. Hughes, and C. A. Wilkinson.

of the breakwater, which was to be deposited by barge, also to open out a quarry on Moturoa Island, the atone from which It was proposed to deposit by barge along tho lino of the breakwater wall, and when that work had advanced sufficiently to render the breakWater foundation safe, to proceed with the important work of forming the MoturoaBreakwater wall.

MR. BLAIR MASON'S LETTER OP RESI6NATION. PRESSURE OP OTHER WORK. The letter from Mr. Blair Mason tendering his resignation was as follows: "After sixteen months' experience of the harbor and its potentialities, I have come to the conclusion tt-at it Is necessary in the Interests of the Board to appoint a supervising engineer who would spend his whole time at the breakwater in actively managing the works. The work of the past sixteen months since a start tas been made have been arduous; indeed, far more so than it times bad been normal, and supplies of material, plant, and labor easily obtainable. A great part of Mr. Lee's time and a large part of my own are taken up with matters of detail In connection with the Board's business owing to tte conditions under which works of this magnitude are subjected during these abnormal times. Consequently, lam prevented from giving the attention to my private practice that its Importance demands. "Under the present arrangements It is understood that the engineering services required by the Board than be performed by either Mr. Lee or myself, and to meet this, that one or other of us must always be available. It is obvious that it would be impassible on the terms arranged that Mr. Loe should be always on the works, and bis tutire time taken up in Harbor Board matters, thus debarring the carrying out of private practice. Under these circumstlanees, it would be better that the Board appilm a supervising engineer as I originally proposed, baring his office at Moturoa, and from where he would give his whole time to the det.ills that constantly require attention. "To clear the way for such a suggestion, I propose to vacate tte position of engineer, but would be willing to act as consulting engineer, or, associated with Mr. Lee and Mr. Owen, consulting engineers, to assist the Board with advice and designs to make the port what it ought to be. I regret tho necessity that compels one to this course, which would not have been necessary if had been normal, allowing works to proceed with usual celerity, and consequently a minimum supervision. One had hoped that at such a period as this, after the great War, that conditions would have been more fettled, instead of which they are In a worse : condition than during the war period."

CANNOT GET MEN. 11l September of last year, the first load of atone was placed on the breakwater extension, and In October tte Moturoa Quarry works were started. Since the above dates, every effort has been made to acquire the plant for properly equipping the quarries, such as additional cranes, trucks, barees, piles for Jetties, etc., wWiout whloh a satisfactory output, even if labor had been available, could not be maintained.

We have now succeeded in obtaining the additional trucks for working the Fishing Rock Quarry, but cannot obtain the extra men, though we have repeatedly advertised In tte outside and local Press, with practically no result. Tliete are to-day but thirty men available for quarry work and the handling of stone, who are now all engaged in connection with the Fishing Rock Quarry. In this quarry there Is room for twenty additional men In order that the Thomas King can be kept going at a maximum output. Witt' respect to the Moturoa Island works, which it is extremely Important should be pushed on, nothing can be done until labor is available.

It was estimated that with two barges employed in the laying of stone, and the tipping of stone by trucks and cranes in forming the breakwater and Moturoa walls, 150 men would he necessary. The most all told we have been able to set has been 54 in January of this year. These hare decreased until to-day there are only ttirty men available. Tho great demand for labor, combined with the lack of accommodation, 6ie without doubt the reasons for Inability to obtain and hold the labor required for our works. Since August of last year, the names of 208 men appear on our pay-sheets that have left, many of them good and reliable workers. In many instances, married men have felt compelled to give up the Job through Inability to secure a home for ttelr wives and children, and being compelled to board are thus put to an expense equivalent to keeping two homes. Others have been tempted "to leave through the higher wages offered by strmmndinsr local bodies and employers, especially for country works, which are higher than file rates of Harbor Boards. TUoual- the work offered them by the Board is practically constant, and that by the outside bodies and employers of a temporary nature, yet such is the shortage that when the temporary Job is finished there is generally another to go to.

ATTRACTED ELSEWHERE. Some of the men formerly on the Boardis works are now employed on railway works, where they can do better, working under the co-operative system, itany have gone bushfeilrag at contract rates in which they have the freedom to earn In proportion to the work they do, a system which, much as one would like, cannot be practically carried out on the Board's works. Wo are now fac-d with the prospect of losing some of the men we have when the Freezing Works commence tht season's operations, and extra labor will probably be required at an early date for street works In New Plymouth, and electrical extensions, which employment may prove to be more attractive than quarry work. This will Increase the difficulty of getting additional labor, and also of holding our present strength. The men required for the Board's works are scmi-3killed men requiring a knowledge of quarrying. We have again advertised for men, but until we can guarantee housing t-.r find accommodation are not sanguine of gct'ting many men, and those we do get, if married, will not settle down separated from their wives and children. The Board's accommodation at Motum.i can provide for 20 single men. It consists of two buildings, each being divided into three divisions, each division capable of housing four single men; there is also a detached cottage giving room for two single men. In order to retain some of the married men, they have been allowed to occupy three divisions, leaving three divisions and the cottage for single men, and men who have their wives elsewhere. From our experience of the past year, we are convinced that until accommodation for both married and single men Is available at Moturoa, or in New Plymouth there is no hope of prosecuting the works with the celerity that is necessary to provide for growing trade and requirements of shipping. Homes for the people are generally below requirements throughout the Dominion, and the shortage In New Plymouth seems to be greater In proportion to the population than elsewhere. It is also more serious In that tl'e welfare of Taranaki is bound up with the active prosecuflon of the harbor works necessary to provide for the Increasing trado and make use of the potentialities the site offers as the deep water port of the West Coast of New Zealand. As set out In our report, of December, 1917, it was intended that the progress made In the construction of the Moturoa wall would be such as would eariy bring about conditions that would permit of vessels berthing at the breakwater, and allow time for the dredging along the sites of the permanent ; berthag*.

WORK Or" IMPROVEMENTS. AFFECTED BY LABOB AND MATERIAL SHORTAGE. The engineers reported as follows: In view of the urgent necessity that has arisen for additional berthage to cope with the Increased shipping trade, we fcave reconsidered the scheme of development in order to see what can be done to give relief with the least possible delay, and also to suggest such rearrangements that may meet the requirements of tre Railway Department for raiiwsy purposes it the port. Before doing so, we would like to briefly review the position with respect to the Board's works, and thelt prosecution in the light of the experience of the o»Bt eighteen months. In my report of December, 1917, to the Board, which was duly adopted, the recommendations Included reclamation of the fore-si-ore lands to provide building sites, extension of the breakwater by 800 feet, and the construction of the wall between the present j end of the breakwater and the Moturoa Island. Progress in the construction of the latter work, sufflc|ent to intercept the drift I of sand along and around the breakwater end, TO expected to protect the breakwater by the heaping up of the intercepted sands, and forming a sand beach upon which ses9 WAild expend trelr eneigy and render the breakwater available for berthage, as was the Intention of Sir John Coode when the breakwater was built. In April, 1619, the Board granted authority to proceed with the works subject to the carrying of the poll by the ratepayers. It wu early found that rapid progress in the worts of the port would be hampered by the scarcity of labor and the dearth of houses for men and their families. Added to this, the necessary plant, such as cranes, rolling stock, barges, etc, were either difficult to procure, or unprocurable, and the best had to be made of the existing plant. Much of It was in baS repealr, and required extensive renewals. For barging stone, tha only available craft was the Board's suction dredge Thomas King, which wit duly fitted for that purpose. It was decided to commence work by openI out the Fishing Bock Quarry, to obtain stone 'JSMh« una ettrtfcesMdr bottom in tie line

!AN ADDITIONAL BERTH, I Tho works Lave been delayed from th»| causes already mentioned, mid as tho present I berthages are becoming Inadequate to provide for tlio ships now visiting thu harbor, it be~ I comes urgent to consider If there is any speedier method of securing the needed additional Berthage. There is submitted hero-1 with a modified scheme of berthage that will save a considerable aimouat of dredging, j at the same time giving storage spice and' allowing connection to be made with the rail- \ way yards. We are indebted to Mr. E. Man-'; well for thß valuable suggestion to make use of a wharf so placed as to make the best of! the dredged basin enst of the existing wharf ; A plan is submitted herewith showing fljharfage on the lines advocated by Mr. Maxwell. The quay would spring from the present wharf 120 foet from the cant, and near the existing low water mark, and extend in a;> easterly direction of 800 feet, thence shoreward in a soiitU-Trwterly direction 71)0 few to the frontage of the reclamation area. Til' 'would give J% i!;-.?e.i more reclamation .'.res than that shown on the original plan. To make use of this ares, the reclamation wouM need to be extended up to the railway yards boundary, which is equal to about 18 acres. It Is assumed that the first work would he the construction of the portion 900 feet lonp fronting the basin, with a rubble wall 1450 feet In iength running shorewards from near the easterly end of tho quay, to retain tte. fl!i;n;. Ths reclamation of the 18 acres represents r. rather fnrsi'.dc.!:!o proposition., but It would ;iot be necessary to have the reclamation completed bet'oro making use of the quay«ge. Tho qua* h 900 feet lons, and would be served with railway trucks, and siso designed for vehicular traffic. Storage sheds could be placed In proximity to the quay to provide for the direct handling of good's into or out of the sheds. The level of the sheds would be fixed so that goods could bo trucked direct from the vtharf through the shed and onto the floors of tho drays. Spring piling Would have to be provided for a wharf placed as indicated, if constructed prior, to the proposed wharves to seaward. This'is necessary to save the wl'arf and also the snip, as until the enclosing walls of the harbor aro further advanced tho angle being broad3ide onto the quay must be taken up by a yielding breastwork. Tho shoreward and easterly quay oitends over shallow water, from 10 feet «" water to approximately low water mark. lis ultimate construction Is contingent on the use of other and more powerful dredging appliances than the Board possesses to excavate the hard bouldery ground that is met with in this locality.

HABD DREDGING. It should be understood that as precedent to the construction of the front wharf, tho berthage will need to bo deepened to tho maximum depth the wharf is designed for. This will Involve much r.ard dredging, which, lr taken down to, say, S3 foet, as at the present wharf, will severely tax the power of tho Parltltu in conjunction with her other and maintenance work to accomplish. Talcing the existing prices for labor, materials, and plant, the estimated approximate cost of the above works amounts to £200,000, and the time to complete, three years. The estimates are only approximate, as detail surveys and designs of various constructions would have to be worked out before deciding upon the most suitable and economical structure.

Tie above estimated expenditure Is approximately three times the cost based on the rates for 1914, and one hesitates to make «ny rcominendatloti, as we are of opinion that It will> be cheaper and give earlier relief to push on with the Moturoa breakwater will, as giving extra berthage for the colliers and smaller vessels alongside the breakwater, and reserving the timber wharfage for tho larger vessels. Tho apron of the breakwater extension will protect and told the sands forming the foundation of the proposed extension. The quantity of solid dredglngs deposited over ♦he site of the breakwater extension by the Paritutu since operations have commenced amounts to 24,600 tons, and stone barged liy tho Thomas King to 25,400 tons. It Is proposed shortly to commence putting the smaller stone 'from the quarry on the Moturoa wall, placing only the larger stone on the Breakwater line. The result of laying the stone on tte Moturoa well, commencing close to tho breakwater, should be marked by sand deposits along the breakwater In Inn-easing quantities as the wall is raised, and give an indication of the time It will take for the sand bench td form sufficiently to prevent the seas overtopping the breakwater. The necessity of providing additional berthage as soon as possible to meet tho growing requirements of shipping, involves tho extension of the deepening by dredging of the harbor area and along the alignment of lie proposed wharf sites down to the maximum depth for which the wharves are to be designed and constructed. After the experience ol the past twelve months' dredging, the conclusion arrived at is that the Paritutu can never overtake tho work required to be done In the permanent deepening of the r arbor. With the exception of the maintenance dredging In the sand that works round the end of the breakwater, the whole of the material to be dredged consists of sand and clay intermixed more or less with boulders varying In size from a few pounds up to tons. The worst dredging is Inshore, not on account of there being more material to shift, but became tte material Is of an Increasingly difficult nature to dredge, consisting of more boulders and of greater weight.

DESCRIPTION OP CROTJND. The surface material consists mainly of sand under which there la almost right throughout the harbor, a layer of heaivy boulders up to seven and ten tons, and even 15 tons, with smaller imps closely packed in between. This layer is found at varying depths, but' always shoaling towards the stott', and generally resting on a clay foundation, but In some places on cemented gravel. In* terraixed wills this layer of clay and gravel, boulders are still met with, but more scattered und smaller In size. When the seam of clay outcrops at the depth proposed to be dredged to, there is not the same difficulty in dredging as when tho bottom of the cut Is still in tre seam of boulders. In places it Is possible to make use of this clav ream, but in so many cases the dredge has to plough her way through boulders, with the consequent strain on the dredge st.'iiiMurc and machinery.

The dredge has been working one slii't for many years, and !s now setting to t!io staac that the hard work in the past is beginning to tell on the machinery and structure. Tho ladder for some time paßt has had to be. re-rivettcd, and as recently reported, further damage took place, buckling tho plates and cracking the angle irons on tho lower clnrd. Accidents of this nature can only he expected, and will increase with the age and deterioration that takes place in tie natural courso. I may mention that fortunately Capatin JtcMahon detected the dunnage just In time. If the dredging had been continued in the hard ground with the damaged ladder, a serious breakdown to the ladder would have taken place, necessitating the dredge going to Wellington. Repairs are being carried out by the Board's star?, tho work being done at nights, and on Saturday afternoons and Sundays. The dredge can this be kept working with the sand pump during the week. Damage of this nature can only be expected from a tool such as the dredge Paritutu when subjected to such abnormal work for which sl.e was never designed. The Paritutu as a dredge is an admirable tool Tor the class of work she is built for, that is ordinary sand and clay excavation as Is met with in practically ull the New Zealand harbors, but. for Now Plymouth the experience, of the last twelve months proves that she is no!, capable of excavating the heavy ground. What is wanted here Is a dredge designed to handle the boulder ground, and if the Board desires to Increase their swing basins and berthages, a tool that will handle the material in a quicker manner will have to be obtained. Tl'O dredging here is one of tho most difficult problems in Australasia. A dredge that has been used for work similar to the Nov? Plymouth dredging is tho dipper dredge, the design being similar to a bucket excavator. These dredges have been extensively used on the Atlantic coast of America, on tfte Great lakes, and in India, but whether they are. altogether suitable for Now Plymouth, I aim unable to give a definite opinion. A bucket dredge similar to the Paritutu, but of much heavier design and larger capacity, would facilitate matters, but It must he understood that the dredging to be done here is far from child's play, and to cope with it suc- , MUfuilj tad KUfcia mneatkl* tint, WIU

evolve considerable expenditure in the 'procuring of efficient plant for tlie purpose. CHANGES IN DKBDOINO. iu the pant, llin J'arllutu has been able to extend tlio dredging approximately with . tte rate, of Increase In tho shipping requirements, but now tlint shipping lias lorgod ahead with, the last twolvo months, tho dredging will not be able to keep pace with tho incasing traffic. The dredge could, and probably It would be advisable to work her two i&ifts, but the main fact should not overlooked—that ahe is not designed for such heavy work, and sooner or later very conquerable repairs will be required. At the resent time, she has to be nursed when in r.euvy ground, consequently the amount of fork is not being done as should be. in connection with the remarks in "lie report stating that the dredge was -.fiiended for sand aed clay excavation, Von chairman said that when the dredge ;V»r obtained, the then engineer, Mr. .ilarchant, knew that the harbor bottom *a3 stony, and this was kept in mind in the designing of the Paritutu. The nredge had, in fact, done a considerable amount of work l in connection with clearing out the stone. He made this explanation, as otherwise the impression »"ght be given that the Board had been going blindly into the matter. , Mr. Maxwell: No doubt the material was harder than originally supposed. ! THE DISCUSSION.

SUPERVISION OF WORK. . PERMANENT ENGINEER WANTED. Mr. Wilkinson said that the resignation of the engineer was rather a facer for the Board, but whatever eventuated they should not be pessimistic. He expressed regret that Mr. Mason had found it his duty to retire, or rather to make tho suggestion. He suggested that some arrangements might be made with Mr. Mason's partner, Mr. Lee, to act as permanent engineer, even at a higher salary, and the 'Board Bbould retain Mr. Mason's services as consulting engineer. The speaker said ho was quite satisfied, however, that there was a neccossity for an engineer ,to be on the job; the present salary was not high, and it would be wise to increase it to secure the right man. In regard to the labor question, lie thought this entirely depended on the problem of housing. Mr. Connett: "Not entirely."

Mr. Wilkinson: "I think it does." The speaker proceeded to state that his experience showed that a body that had houses to offer men would get the labor where other employers would not. He suggested that the Board face the question by putting up a cheaper class of cottage. One which would be quite serviceable for a working man, or anybody else, could be constructed in corrugated iron (painted) and lined with beaver board. These would be cheap, and could be erected in a short time. He noticed by the report that they had only 30 men, and the overhead cost in running 30 men was altogether too expensive. It had been suggested that they should go to any expense to provide extra berthage; .the money had been raised to carry on the work on certain lines, such as extension of Bhelter, and this should rank parallel with any other proposed work. He believed they should make 1 what wharfage they had do for the present; if a new wharf was going to cost £200,000 it was out of the question. The extension of the breakwater should be pushed on with, and, if possible, the work of connecting the breakwater with Moturoa should also be carried out. As the engineer had suggested, thi% course would mean that probably a certain amount of berthage accommodation would be available at the breakwater itself.

FINANCE PROBLEMS. Referring to the money market, Mr. Wilkinson said it should not be taken for granted that they could raise the whole of the balance of loan moneys very readily. He thought the Board would he well advised to approach Parliament for authority to borrow money at an increased rate of interc-., six per cent-., otherwise they might find themselves in a position similar to that experienced by the Opunake Board not long ago. After touching on other matters, Mr. Wilkinson emphasised that the Board should not depart from the scheme already laid down, without the most careful consideration. Mr. Connett said he was very much surprised to hear of the position in regard to the eng'meor. From the reading of the agreement he had always been under the impression that the board had the services of Mr. Lee for the whole of his time. From the wording of Mr. Mason's report, however, this was apparently not understood by them. It was well that the matter should he cleared up, and he believed with Mr. Wilkinson that there should be direct supervision of the work. In reference to the neiU for increased accommodation, Mr. Connett remarked that during the past three years they had had twenty-four large steamers. The companies had sent the boats at the beginning with a certain amount of diffidence, hut that feeling had now largely disappeared! because, the. boats had lutd (lie experience, of coming to the port, being well cared for, and getting away safely. This was largely due to the very fine qualifications of the harbormaster (Captain Waller). It behoved the Board to back him up in every possible way. Unfortunately they had not been able to make the headway with the works that they might have, and lie supported Mr. Wilkinson in the contention (hat they should immediately get the houses creeled with a view to getting the labor. In tit is connection the question of money had been the stumbling block up to the present, and if the power was not forthcoming from the Government to borrow it behoved the leading men of the town to stand in with the board, and help to provide money as a temporary measure in contending with this particular dillictllty. Mr. Connett said he was confident that when the reports went before the public the progressive and far-seeing men in the community would help the board in getting the cottages creeled as speedily as possible.

KVK OF fJRF.AT TTITNfIS. Extra berthage accommodation was urgently needed now. The board had had working in their interests men who had not appeared on the surface of affairs in getting the big boats to come to the port, and unless they could provide additional room the flow'of ships would stop. The port was on the eve of great things, but they would have to provide the berthage. They would have to endeavoi to go about it in some cheaper manner than that suggested in the report under review, however, as they could not g» to the esp»n»» of .£200,068. In illut«

tration of his argument that "berthage was required, Mr. Connett [jointed out that in the ordinary course of events a Japanese boat with superphosphates would have arrived at the port this week, and there would have been no room. They <lid not want this sort of* thing to happen, _ Mr. Maxwell, in dealing wfyh the question of an engineer, said it was imperative that a thoroughly qualified man should be down -at the harbor all the time, and personally he had never understood that the position would bo otherwise. There was a suggestion that they should also have a consulting engineer and he thought it was necessary that the gentleman who conceived the plan, a most excellent one, ahould atill continue, if possible, as consulting engineer. The appointment of a resident engineer would also have to be gone into very fully. OBTAINING HOUSES.

Board'.-Jo. do things quickly, but in marine matters the engineer had to fight tho seas and could not carry out the task as quickly us the public desired, livery shopkeeper would probably like to see the harbor made to-morrow, but tiie work had to be done thoroughly. THE OHAHtMAN'S VIKWS. The chairman said he had looked into the matter at length. He agreed that the Board should not be pessimistic; they could be optimistic over the results that had been obtained. (Hear. Hear.) A few years ago the idea that they should ever get a large boat to New Plymouth was scouted, but during the lust three years they had twenty-four big vessels and everything was going on well in this connection. Mr. Mason's scheme had been examined by quite a number of shipping representatives and they had no fault to And with it.

Eeviewing the discussion, Mr. King said he .agreed with Mr. Wilkinson'B view that it was. absolutely necessary for a resident engineer to be at Moturoa, full time. Mr. Connett, had emphasised that they should give Captain Waller every assistance in the matter of improving the harbor facilities. Considering the financial position, however, and the small amount of money that the Board would have available for expenditure in the future, he was convinced it would be unwise to attempt any further provision of berthage at present. During the war time there was a great congestion in the dairy produce and meat stores, and practically all these consignments had since been lifted. There had been, and always would be, overlapping in the matter at the port, and for the time being this would havo to be endured. Shortage of berthage was also in evidence at the centres, and it was on account of the congestion at the Wellington wharves that the Port Pirie remained in New Plymouth recently and lifted a big cargo, part of which was previously intended for other vessels. The position, however, was not nearly so bad as to go to the extraordinary expenditure such as in a new wharf or the quay suggested by Mr. Maxwell. The shipping companies had never complained about the New Plymouth wharf; all members admitted that it was at the wrong angle. Jn these times when the Premier had advised to limit expenditure, care was necessary in financial matters, and the Board could not spend the fabulous sum of £200,000 on a new wharf.

Speaking of housing, Mr, Maxwell said that no matter what the nature of the work was, men 'could not be got if the accommodation was not available. He believed that the board, should, after fixing the question of the. engineer's appointment, immediately • set about the provision of housing. Perfectly adequate accommodation could be provided on the lines suggested; personally he had lived in such a class of cottage for some time.

Mr. Wilkinson: I am living in one today. '

Proceeding, Mr. Maxwell said the progress of the works was naturally a wide question. He believed it was absolutely imperative that they should have additional berthage immediately—he would go further than any other member of the board and say it was nwro necessary than anything eh.\ Tho Board knew that the range a? NV.v ?!y mouth was not great; the harbor biui Wn able to aecomitiodate ships in g-e;;.;. storms, at a berth that was not suitable—in fact it was in the most unsuitable position as regards the prevailing winds. He contended that this was an examplo that the harbor could give reasonable protection if they could only provide berthage at the proper angle. He did not make any suggestion that the progress of the ex-' tension of the breakwater and other works should be stopped, but concurrently with these they must proceed with the provision of further accommodation.

The speaker emphasised that notwithstanding the wharf being in the worst position it could possibly be in—and the engineers would bear this out—it had answered the purposes, even in the extreme weather, and if the wharf was at a 'better angle there would be no great difficulties. With the present wharf the position was such that further dredging must be carried out, and if they had to extend the dredging to a, distance that would satisfy the shipping companies, making- the accommodation reasonably safe for the larger class of boats, the Board would expend more money in dredging on the boulder area than would be involved in the whole of the proposed work. Further it wa3 work that could not be undertaken, according to the engineer, with the present appliances. If the breastwork was not erected for providing the berthage the Board would have to start on the dredging, which would cost in the vicinity of £IOO,OOO. Mr. Blair Mason: More than that.

BETTER DREDGE NECESSARY. Mr. Maxwell said that the question of getting a new dredge out of the present loan could not bo chtertained. He had approached the matter with a view of making use of the present swinging basin. He expressed absolute conviction in the practicability of his scheme. Answering a number of questions, Mr Mason said that he had not anticipated, Mir had any on the Board realised, that in the two years following the cessation of hostilities they would have experienced such difficulties as had been met with in the last two years. The position had been disappointing in the fact that the work was not nearly as tar advanced as he would have liked. At the time tho scheme was commenced the dredge was mostly taken up with the removal of sand from the harbor area; the Moturoa wall was looked on to relieve the dredge from this work by stopping the sand. The Paritutu had done good work, but never had the power to tackle the work on an economical basis. It would be necessary to have a dredge of a much greater capacity. Mr. Mason said he had no recommendations to make regarding Mr. Maxwell's proposal. He had adopted this attitude, firstly because of the cost. Further lie still held the view and was going to propose it, that it was the Board's duty to ( extend the breakwater and put up the Avail to trap the sand drift. As far as'his experience went in the behaviour of sand drifts this work was going to prove the sheet anchor. Regarding the proposed new work, he said it would be fairly costly, assuming the Board could get the labor. What lie had been anxious about was that they had not been able to get the present work pushed on and show some tangible results. Mr. Maxwell had naid Ihe port was less subject to range than any port on the East Const; if was a matter for astonishment on the part, yjf Ihe speaker when lie h:ul made investigation, that big ships were not coming in more frequently before anything was done. The dredging reports and other returns showed that pnictically on only three days in the year on the average the port might be considered unworkable. This was ii record that would not be met anywhere on the Kast Coast, perhaps not in New Zealand. He had known Wellington t,o he blocked for three days with big seas.

TIOUSIXIi SOLUTION. .Mr. Hughes said lie 101 l a little dilliileiit in approaching (In: subject, ns lie leprese'nted an area that whs excluded for rating purposes, That exclusion was brought about, l>y abnormal times, ami the influence of a nmiiber of prnmineiit, men in the district, but he felt confident that if that district was approached again there would be a different response.

Regarding the engineer's position, he felt sure that no engineers ronld carry on under the great labor ditlieulties and other troubles. T!o«ai'iling the provision of accommodation, the speaker suggested that use be made of the beach cottages, if possible. .From enquiries he learned Unit ten of these were owned privately, and :!3 by the Seaside Company, and lie thought the Board might be able to arrange to take over the whole of these buildings. It would be a temporary measure, but the completion of the harbor was more important than tourists' wants. To provide labor they should ask the (tovernmont to secure quarrymen from Kngland. The scheme propounded by Mr. Maxwell for providing additional berthage was » good one, ■but it meant the raising of a new loan, which could not be entertained if they | were to curry out the original proposals [ tberougliljr. sli» pu!»li« wanted the

ENERGIES ON BREAKWATER. Mr. Wilkinson: It is out-of the question. Mr. King, proceeding, advocated that the Board should devote their energies to the extension of the breakwatermost of the money should be devoted to this object, and if they had the shelter the big steamers would .be allowed to come in. The time would then be opportune for further wharfage, and in all probability it would be'absolutely necessary to raise another loan for that purpose. The shelter, however, was a sine qua non; if they did not have this the Board would be like the Petroleum Company, which expended £40.000 m erecting a refinery and then found they had no oil.

The chairman remarked that stone was now being placed on the line of the breakwater extension, and as this work proceeded it would be helped by the sand stream considerably as has been found in the building of the original breakwater, lie thought the 800 ft extension should be pushed forward as fast as possible, (ioing into figures regarding berthage, he said that "the average American vessel stayed three days, and vessels loading meat five days, inward cargo three to four days. Coal vessels were the slowest, their period in port being from seven to ten days, though they were supposed to discharge about 600 tons per day. The best way to improve matters would be in the extension Of the breakwater and dispensing with any improvements to the wharf in the meantime. The Harbormaster would agree that the necessary shelter must be the first consideration.

The provision of housing had been deferred by tlie Board pending the passing of n Bill in Parliament giving the Boards power to borrow money for this purpose. When the amendment was passed the Board would be able to erect cottages on the lines of Mr. Wilkinson's suggestion, which was an excellent one. By this means they would get men who would not come under existing conditions.

ALL THE MOXEY REQUIRED. The Board, however, must not be blamed in any way for not going into the housing problem. He had stated all along that as chairman he would not countenance diverting any money which would be needed for .the harbor to other purposes, and present circumstances showed that the Hoard would require nil the money it could raise. In the event of the Board not being able to raise money for the housing they might tall buck on Mr. Connelt's suggestion to seek the aid of prominent citizens. In reply to Mr. Mel'luggcige, the chairman said that if the (lovermncut decided to lend to Harbor Boards for the purpose, they would have available ,I'lo.ooo for housing.

Kevert.ing to the harbor wo<-k, Mr. King said the result of the worl; on the breakwater extension had been verv marked in the range according to the report of the Harbormaster, and everv font deposited on top of the present stone would make the range less, iiegnrding finance;- (hey were not certain by any means that after May next any money could be' procured to go in for much extension; also, during the past couple of years they had been spending at a higher rale than originally intended, due (o extensive renewals of plant and extraordinary high wages, so (hut "they were behind the times as far as the money was concerned. It <vou!d be •uicidal and unbusinesslike therefore to attempt to start any new works. The immediate, policy would be to extend the breakwater and push the wall out in (be direction of .Moturoa, for a few hundred feet. This would probably result in the provision of a certain amount of berthage. As it would have the ell'eet of stopping the sand drift the dredge Parifutu would be relieved from maintenance work, and could go on increasing (he depth of (he swinging basin. Touching the resignations of IV engineers, Mr. King said be was quite surprised to receive Mr. Blair Mason's lefter. The report, however, quite explained the position. Mr. "Mhsm had a large practice, being an eminent marine engineer; be had really more work than lie could attend to, ainl had taken into ike practice Messrs. Lee and Owen (o assist him; The Board would probably have to make some arrangements to retain a portion of Mr. Mason's services,

THE BOARD'S DECISIONS. Subsequently Mr. King moved that having considered the engineers' repori* regarding additional berthage, the Board U of opinion tint whilt it ii aduaitud

(hat more wharfage is required, at tie present it is inadvisable to commence werk on a new wharf, but recognise the absolute importance of completing the 800 ft extension to the breakwater, and additional dredging; as well as the com> meucement of the rubble wall iu thj direction of Moturoa to trap the aceu: mulation of sand drifts and obviate.tat maintenance dredging ' Jiecessitated thereby. § . This was Eeconded by Mr. Hughes. Mr. Wilkinson said that the scheme for a new wharf would be all Hght if they had unlimited revenue. ;. Later on, however, the public would have to wake up lo the fact that some money would be needed to provide tor the wharf. Mr. Maxwell said lie wanted to see the extension go on as,rapidly as possible, and also the commencement of dredging in preparation for a new wharf. Mr. Connett expressed regret that the proposal for more berthage had been turned-down; he believed this was partly due to the fact that members had approached the subject practically with their minds made up on the subject. H< believed that some scheme should b* devised on the lines suggested by Mr Maxwell, but involving less expense. , Mr. McGuimiess, in supporting the resolution pointed out that the shipping companies had always emphasised the importance of the breakwater extension being made. The resolution was then carried.

A sub-committee consisting of ike chairman and Messrs. Maxwell, Bwgese, antl Wilkinson interviewed the engineers during the luncheon adjournment to endeavour to make some arrangements on the question, and later, as a result, the Board carried the following resolutions: That the resignation of Messrs. Blair Mason and Lee, as engineers to the Board, be accepted with regret, the date of termination of engagement to 'be agreed upon.

That the Board advertise for a redden t engineer at a salary of £3OO per annum; a schedule of duties to be prepared by the engineers. That the acceptance of Messrs. Mason and Lee's proposal to act as consulting engineers to the Board be held oyer till ne.vt meeting to give them an opportunity to furnish the Board with a full, detailed schedule of duties to be performed under the suggested agreement, The matter of securing sites for cottages was delegated to the following committee: The chairman, Messrs. Connett, Burgess, and Maxwell.

It was decided that the engineers make preliminary inquiries in Australasia and other parts of the world regarding particulars and price of a heavier type of dredge as mentioned in the reports.