THE PORT.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1921, Page 5

THE PORT.

BREAKWATER EXTENSIONS. PROPOSAL FOR RUBBLE WALL, THE FINANCIAL POSITION. At yesterday’s meeting of the New Plymouth Harbor Board the question of the method of construction of the breakwater extension was introduced, when the engineer (Mr. G. W. Baxter Lowson) submitted a report at the request of the board, giving estimates of the comparative cost of the work mentioned in rubble or extended as on the present lines. The engineer estimated that it would take three and a half years to complete the 800 ft of extension following the existing construction, and the coat would be £69,600, or £B7 per lineal foot. The extension in rubble with the wall eight feet higher than at present would take about two years to complete, at a total cost of £45,500, or £56 5a per lineal foot.

“The costs,” the engineer remarked, “I should not like to be taken as quite final, but they show that for this length of extension the construction in rubble is much more economical, and is to be recommended. In passing, it may be remarked that evidently the construction in rubble has its economical limts, as may be seen by the fact that its comparatively wide base will become costly in deep water, but no doubt this would in some manner be reduced if the present methods of construction were used —that is, laying the foundation and allowing the sand to bank up against the seaward face.” The board decided that the report be submitted for the consideration of the consulting engineers (Messrs. Blair Mason, Lee and Owen). A BRIGHTER TONE. Later in the meeting the board also discussed the financial aspect of the operations and the prospects of continuing the extension of the breakwater. “The position at the present time is considerably better than we imagined it would be some time ago,” said the chairman (Mr. Newton King). We are in credit at the bank to the extent of £2203, and we have £lO,OOO due any day from the sale of debentures. This gave a total of £12,200. In reply to questions, Mr. King said the accounts passed at that day’s meeting amounted to £3BOO. Commitments to he met included visit of dredge to Wellington for overhaul ( £3000); timber and rails, £2500. There were also amounts which would be needed to pay for rope and other items ordered; there, would be about £l3OO of a balance, along with which were the port receipts of about £2OOO per month. Mr. Wilkinson: Is it possible to go on with the laying of the tramline to Paritutu ? The chairman: I think so.

Mr. Wilkfrison said the work mentioned was an important one, and he thought the board might carry it out even if quarrying operations were stopped in the meantime. With the limited funds available the hoard ought to concentrate on certain works as much as possible. There was a certain amount 'of risk in leaving the breakwater extension at present, as the stone might be distributed by gales. z The chairman: It cannot be helped. Mr. Wilkinson said he thought the public generally were satisfied that the positon was unavoidable. He hoped the board would not exhaust its overdraft powers, but keep something in hand in case of urgency. In reply to Mr. Connett, the secretary (Mr. C. S. Rennell) said the board would need about £3500 per month to carry on. TRAMLINE TO PARI TUTUS The chairman suggested that they should continue for six months with the present staff without reducing. Mr. Maxwell pointed out that at the rate mentioned the board would require £7OOO to see them through the next two months, and all they had in sight by the July meeting was £5400, leaving a deficiency of £lOOO. Mr. Bellringer said they might be able to raise funds by hypothecating debentures. probably £lO,OOO spread over four or five months. In reply to a member, the engineer said the construction of the Paritutu line would cost about £2900. Mr. Maxwell said that though the thought of closing down was not pleasant he did not think the work they had to do could be carried on by a hand-to-mouth system. Conditions in regard to wages and materials werfe not very favorable at present, and he thought that in six months’ time they would get 50 per cent, more value for money expended in these items. In view of this he thought the wisest policy would be to dose down the loan works. Mr. McGuinness favored the proposal made by Mr. Wilkinson that the Paritutu tramline should 'be constructed. Mr. McCluggage said the board did not want to be too pessimistic, as all local bodies were embarrassed. He was not in favor of stopping the works altogether. Subsequent discussion by the board was in committee, and, on resuming, it was reported that the position would be further reviewed at a meeting of the board, to be held on the 27 th inst. It was decided that the formation work in connection with the tramline to the Paritutu quarry be commenced.