NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1922, Page 2

NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR.

MEETING OF THE BOARD. The annual meeting of the New Plymouth Harbor Board was held yesterday for the purpose of electhig a chairman for the ensuing year, after which the board held its usual monthly meeting. There were present: Messrs. Newton King (In the chair), C. E. Bellringer, J. McCluggage, E. McGuinness, E. Maxwell, C. H. Burgess, C. A. Wilkinson, and J. S. Connett. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. Before the commencement of the usual business Mr. King, the retiring chairman, moved that Mr. C. E. Bellringer be the chairman for the ensuing year. Mr. Bellringer had been associated with the board for some time, holding the position of treasurer, and the speaker was sure he would make a good and efficient chairman. The motion was seconded by Mr. McCluggage, and there being no other nominations, Mr. Bellringer was duly installed. In returning thanks the newly-elected chairman said he appreciated the honor very highly. He had hesitated at accepting the uosition, as he doubted whether he was fitted for it at the present juncture. Mr. King had, however, decided to vacate the position even two years ago; Mr. King's decision was the only reason why the speaker agreed to accept the position. The late chairman had promised to give him his whole-hearted support, especially in the matter of direct shipping. Mi. Bellringer paid a tribute to the progress made under the late chairman, during whose chairmanship splendid fruit had been borne, especially in the development of the port and in the inauguration of direct shipping. Mr. King had always been willing to be guided by those associated with him on the board, and members had spent a very happy time under him. The speaker hoped the same might ue said of him when his term had expired. “There is something of a family continuity In the history of the New Plymouth Harbor Board, at any rate as far as New Plymouth members are concerned," said Mr. Bellringer. “Mr. King’s father was chairman of the board for some time, my own father was treasurer, whilst the father of Mr. Connett (a present member) had also Keen a member of the board." The speaker concluded by stressing the sphere of influence exercised over practically tho whole province by the board and their consequent responsibilities. The sneaker was sure that all the members would continue to do their best in the development of the port.

HARBORMASTER’S RETORT. The harbormaster (Captain Wm. Waller) reported for the three weeks ending 6th inst. as follows: Number of vessels entering the port, 14 ; aggregate tonnage, 12,965; imports, 3648 tons: exports, 1664 tons; total, 5312 tons. No Government coal was landed. The Harbor Board’s launch has been lifted and placed near the workshop for an overhaul. The belting, which acts as a fender, has been repaired and a portion of the keel renewed. She is now in good order and Is a very suitable pilot’s boat. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The resident engineer (Mr. G. W. B. Lowson) reported as follows for the period of three weeks commencing April 17 and ending May 6: — Dredge Paritutu. —Her overhaul falling due, the Paritutu left on April 18 for Wellington, where she spent five working clays on' the patent slip and three uays alongside the wharves. The hull, and in fact the whole of the vessel generally, was found to be in good condition, and the work necessarily carried out in Wellington was put through with reasonable celerity, the dredge arriving back in New Plymouth on April 30. After three days’ work in connection with wharf repairs, etc., the Paritutu then laid up for the overhaul of the main engines, deck gear, chutes, etc., which work is being carried out by tne board’s own staff.

Quarrying.—During the period 2795 yards of clay were removed Jfrom the banks flanking the loose stone. As the cuts were pushed forward the stone overburden made the work somewhat unsafe, so that first the Priestman grab had to be taken off the work, and finally the other crane as well. The second shift is now discontinued, and the quarry force engaged upon the stone.

Over-Bridge.—This bridge is completed. The necessary cable equipment remains to be installed, after which a beginning will be made upon the reclamation wall. "Wharf Repairs.—The work of repairing the existing wharf l as been commenced, and will be carried oh as the demands of shipping permit. During the period opportunity was found to drive several fender and bearing piles, and to renew where necessary the stringers and headstocks in their vicinity. In answer to a question by the chairman, the engineer said the overhaul of the Paritutu’s engines would be finished by the end of next week. TITLE TO LAND DISPUTED. Messrs. Tonga Awtikau and Neha Kipa> Wellington, wrote acknowledging receipt of the board’s letter in reference to certain lands along the foreshore. With regard to the Crown grant, which was said to have been issued to the Harbor Board in 1883, it was asked that a copy of the same, with a plan of the grant, giving full particulars, be forwarded, so that they might search) and investigate. It was desired to know under what authority the Crown grant was issued. It should not have been issued unless there was some previous sale by the writers or their ancestors. It was claimed there was no claim, as the writers’ ancestors and the present owners have been in continuous and uninterrupted occupation of the land from time immemorial, that is, since the migration from Hawaiki, over 600 years ago. Having been thus in continuous and uninterrupted Occupation for sueh a. lengthy period, it is for the board to produce and show a title to the land in question. The onus of proof of title was on the board, the letter concluded. The letter was referred to the board’s solicitors. GENERAL. The action of the consulting engineers in calling for tenders for steel for concrete piles was approved.