HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 June 1922, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING, The ordinary meeting of the New Plymouth Harbor Board was held at the Board’d office yesterday, when there were present: Messrs. C. E. Bellringer (chairman), Newton King, C. H. Burgess, J. McCluggage, J. S. Connett, C. A. Wilkinson, C.. E. McGuiness, and E. Maxwell. HARBOR MASTER’S REPORT. The harbormaster (Captain Waller) reported that for the five weeks ending June 10, twenty-seven vessels had ei. ered the port, of the aggregate tonnage of 58,444 tons. Imports totalled 9411 tons and -exports 5008, the total being 14.419 tons. No Government coal was landed. Included in the above were the following overseas steamships:—City of Winchester, 7981 tons, she Joaded 1318 tons of produce, draught 20ft. bin. forward, 21ft. aft.; Wairuna, 5832 tons, landed 420 tons of cargo and loaded 16 tons, draught 18ft/ Ilin, forward, and 24ft. 7in. aft; Makalla, 6781 tons, landed 1900 tons of basic slag and general cargo, draught 16ft. 3in. forward, 19ft. 6in. aft.; Port Victor, 7280 tons, loaded 2121 tons frozen meat, etc., draught 19ft. forward, 21ft. aft.; Canadian Constructor, 7718 tons, landed 804 tons case oil and general cargo, draught 17ft. Bin. forward, and 21ft. aft. The harbormaster stated that the vessel drawing 24ft. 7in. had berthed at the wharf within an hour of low water. ENGINEER’S MONTHLY REPORT. The resident engineer (Mr. C. B. Lowson) reported as follows for the period from May 8 to June 10: Quarries: The output of stone for the period was 3455 tons, 2945 tons being barged to the breakwater extension mound and 510 tons being tipped from the end of the breakwater. The Paritutu completed her annual overhaul on May 30. The work in New Plymouth included the overhaul of the main engines, deck plating, overhaul of winches and deck gear, sheathing to chute, etc. 23 working days being taken to carry out the work and to test all steam pipes, the latter test falling due every six years. For the latter part of the -period the dredging returns were: Suction dredging third fairway cut 3200 tons, outside tank 1200 tons, bucket dredging new wharf cut 1100 tons, making a total of 5500 tons, of which 500 tons were dumped westwards of the breakwater extension mound. The new wharf cut has been advanced for a length of about 775 feet, progress being slow and difficult. The Paritutu also assisted in repair work to the existing wharf. Existing wharf: Besides the general maintenance work necessary to this work, opportunity was found during a short lull in the shipping to remove and to replace several fender poles on the overseas berth. New wharf: The pile yard has been fenced off, and a well built cement storage shed erected with testing room, etc. Overbridge: At the end of the period the cable equipment installation was nearly completed and stone should be passing over the bridge at an early date. PLANS OF NEW WHARF. Messrs. Blair. Mason, Lee and Owen, consulting engineers, forwarded -copies of the plans of the proposed concrete wharf, which had been forwarded to the Marine Department for approval. Further plans were being prepared showing the working details and these would be submitted to the resident engineer. GENERAL. In view of the heavy losses sustained during the year, it was resolved to give the Board’s insurance to the Phoenix Insurance Company again this year, but in future a system of ballot will be adopted.