HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 December 1921, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth Harbor Board was held yesterday. Present: Messrs. Newton King (chairman), C. E. Bellringer, C. A. Wilkinson, D. J. Hughes, C. E. McGuiness, C. H. Burgess, and E. Maxwell. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs. J. S. Connett and McCluggage. HARBORMASTER'S REPORT. The harbormaster (Captain Wm. Waller) reported for the period of four weeks ended December 3 as follows: Number of vessels entering , port, 20; aggregate tonnage, 25,536 tons; imports, 6013 tons; exports, 2808 tons; total, 8821 tons. The s.s. Waiotapu, from San Francisco and New Zealand ports, arrived on November 19, landing 687 tons or cargo, and sailed on the 21st for Melbourne. Her draught dimensions were 17% feet forward and 24 feet aft. The s.s. Canadian Pioneer, from New .York and way ports, arrived on November 25, and sailed on November 30 for Melbourne. She landed 656 tons of cargo. Draught, 14ft. Ilin, forward and 18ft. Tin. aft. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Besident engineer (Mr. G. W. B. Lawson) reported as follows: Dredging: The Paritutu's returns for the month are: Sand pumping, third fairway cut, 15,000 tons; bucket dredging, ships berths, 800 tons; new wharf cut, 5000 tons; total, 20,800 tons. Of this 2200 tons were dumped to the westward of the breakwater extension mound. The new wharf cut has to date been dredged to a depth of 30 feet for a length of about 260 feet. Quarrying.—The output for the month was 1669 tons of stone, 885 tons being dumped on the breakwater extension, and 784 tons/ of heavy’ stone on the breakwater apron. General.—-Much general and maintenance work has been attended to during the period. ROCKET LIFE-SAVING DEVICE. The Taranaki Workers’ Council recently suggested to the board that a rocket lifesaving device should be installed at the port. Captain Waller, in a report, stated that the boat was always ready, whilst the Harbor Board's launch could reach the scene of an accident in reasonable time. The rocket device was only for use on a rock-bound coast. He mentioned that of the shipwrecks on this coast in the last 50 years no lives had been lost. The harbormaster further pointed out that in the case of the recent harbor fatality no boat could have lived in such a broken sea, and the rocket device was only of use in throwing a life-line on to a steamer, and it would be practically impossible to do this in the case of a small boat such as was concerned in the recent accident. Besides being costly the device might take half an hour to rig, whereas an accident could take place in less than a quarter of an hour. It was decided that a copy of the harbormaster's letter be sent on to the Taranaki Workers’ Council.

Mr. Hughes mentioned that there was now a life-saving club in operation on the Ngamotu beach. GENERAL. Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., wrote that, as requested by the board, he had opposed clause 3 of the Local Bodies Finance Bill. The Minister had replied, however, that to delete the clause would make the measure practically inoperative. A letter was received from Mr. H. B. Morton (Auckland) protesting against the inadequate provision for motor cars in crossing the rails on the wharf, especially the rails right opposite the steamer's berth. At Onehunga. wooden planks !vere provided. Mr. Morton was thanked for bringing the matter under the board’s notice, and the engineer was instructed to procure movable wooden planks to cope with the situation, permanent crossing to be provided where posThe New Plymouth Returned Soldiers’ Association wrote accepting the terms of their weekly tenancy, the board to pay’ rates and Insurance. The executive also thanked the board for past consideration.