HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 January 1922, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The New Plymouth Harbor Board met yesterday. Present: Messrs. Newton King (chairman), C. E. Bellringer, E. Maxwell, C. H. Burgess, C. E. McGuinness, J. S. Connett, C. A. Wilkinson, D. J. Hughes, and J. McCluggage. ENGINEERS REPORT. The resident engineer (Mr. G. W. Baxter Loy.son) reported as follows for the period December 5, 19*21, to January 14, 1922, which period embraced the Christmas and New Year holidays. Dredging.—The Paritutu’s returns for the period are; Sand dumping, third fairway cut, 7300 tons; bucket dredging, ships’ berth, 1200 tons, new wharf cut 11,400 tons; total 19,900 tons, of which 1000 k tons were dumped westwards of the breakwater extension, mound. Goou progress, was made in dredging the new wharf cut, which has been advanced to a total length of 580 feet. Quarries and breakwater.—During the first portion of the period 155 tons of stone were dumped on the breakwater extension mound, and 816 tons were placed on the apron protecting the present structure. The protecting apron thus being made secure, the output from the quarries was later discontinued and both cranes have since been concentrated upon the widening and deepening of the quarry approach, which is now reaching a satisfactory state. As many of the concrete blocks ,as could be lifted from over the end of the breakwater were also placed upon the protecting apron, and early, in the New Year the work of laying ln the tradlcwork and points on the commencement of the vertical curve leading up to the proposed higher level of the extension was brought under way, the work since being hindered, however, by heavy Thomas King.—Tbe installation of the rockboring and diving apparatus aboard this vessel is now practically completed. riant. —The whole of the Tangye-Priestman grab crane, except the boiler, arrived from Auckland near the close of the year. The work of overhauling, repairing an.d erecting the crane is being pushed ahead. No wharf maintenance has been attended to during the period, the overhaul of the rolling stock in readiness for the breakwater extension work being of primary importance. HARBORMASTER’S REPORT. Reporting for the period of six. weeks ending on January 14 ti e harbormaster (Captain W. Waller) stated that the number of vessels entering the port was 26, of an aggregate tonnage of 48,805. The imports were 5697 tons, and exports 3704 tons, a total of 9401 tons. The F.S. Westmeath, 9i179 tons, 484 feet in length arrived on December 22. Ste loaded 829 tons of frozen meat, etc., the sailing draught being 21ft Tin. The s.s. Thelevan, 4951 tons, from Texas, via way ports, arrived on the 4th Inst. She landed 10,0Q0 cases of oil. QUESTION OF ADMINISTRATION. Following notice given at the last meeting, Mr. Bellringer moved that standing committees for administration of works, finance and reserves be set up. He supported the motion by pointing out that the board would have a great deal of work to do in the near future, and the ordinary board meeting of once a month would not suffice. The finance- committee was highly desirable, as they would need to watch the spending of the new loan with the utmost care. A works cemmittee was necessary to confer with the engineer regarding the board’s undertakings, and they should keep in the closest touch with the work. Time was going to be an important thing to the board in the prosecution of these works. As for reserves,- he believed the administration of affairs connected with the board’s properties should be the special duty of a committee.

Mr. C. A. Wilkinson seconded, and expressed the opinion that Mr. Bellringer should be complimented in bringing the questions for-

Mr. E. Maxwell supported the idea of having finance and reserves committees, but in regard to the works committee he said he viewed with disfavour any proposal which would have a tendency to dissociate any members- front the main part of the board’s work, namely the work at the port. He pointed out that the board was comprised of representatives from various parts of Taranaki, and committees would probably have the tendency to leave the work in the hands of town members, and outside members would get out of touch. The business required the energy and support of all the members. He thought, however, that the monthly meeting was insufficient, and suggested tint a fortnightly meeting of the board would meet the The motion was supported by Messrs. Burgess, Connett, and McGuinness, and the chairRcplylng to eominents, Mr. Bellringer said he did not intend to confine committees to town members. He thought the proposal to institute committees was very necessary. The board had reached a crucial period in their history, but if they could make up the leeway by the careful expenditure of the new lour, they would have secured the position of the port for all time. While paying a tribute to the zeal and energy with whfen the resident. engineer had carried out his work, te thought Mr. Lowson should have the help and backing of a committee. The motion was carried, and the committees were appointed as follows:—Works, the chairman, and Messrs, Maxwell, Wilkinson, andBellringer; reserves, the chairman, Messrs Connett, Hughes, McGuiness, and McCluggage: finance, tbe chairman, Messrs. Burgess, Connett, and Bellringer. Notice was given by Mr. Maxwell to move a*, the next meeting that the board meet twice monthly, on the second and fourth Thursdays. GENERAL. The action of the chairman in authorising ' the engineer to procure a concrete mixer at ££6o was confirmed. On the motion of Mr. Bellringer the matter of working overtime on the dredge Parrtutu up to tte date of annual overhaul was referred to the works committee with power The report from the engineer regarding the procuring of an extra dredge was referred on to the next meeting. It was stilted that the engineer had found that the dredge at Lyttelton which the board had in mind was not available, but possibly with the rate of progress being made as at present a further dredge would not be required.