HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 August 1922, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

THE MONTHLY MEETING* The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth Harbor Board was held yesterday. Present: Messrs. C. E'. Bellringer (chairman), NeWton King, C. H. Burgess, J. S. Connett, J. McCluggage, D. J. Hughes, C. A. WSlkinson, E. Maxwell and C. E. McGuinness. HARBOR MASTER’S REPORT. The harbor master (Captain Wm. Waller) reported that for the four weeks ending August 12, 19 vessels had entered port, the aggregate tonnage being 38,317. Imports amounted to 5151 tons, exports 3789 tons, a total of 8940 tons. No Government coal had been landed during the period. The Port Chalmers had loaded 927 tons of frozen uneat and produce; her draught was 26ft. Sin. fore and 25ft. sin. aft. The Piako loaded 1166 tons of produce, her draught being 22ft. 41n. tore, 23ft. 9in. aft, whilst the Port Albany loaded 420 tons of frozen meat, etc., her draught being 16ft. 6in. fore and 22ft. 31n. aft. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The resident' engineer (Mr. G. W. B. Lowson) reported for the period July 1' to August 12, 1922: Quarrying and General 'Works.—Work has proceeded steadily and satisfactorily during the month. In the quarry the stone Is running freely, and with a little barring down outside working hours provides enough material to keep the cranes constantly in operation. From ten to twelve men have been employed in the face, and. using two grab cranes, show' an output of 4,625 tons of stone for the month. The Priestman crane grab has t>een remodelled, and Is doing good work, but it is hoped that the single chain 1 attachment (now long overdue) will soon come to hand and increase the output from the other machine. I Crane No. 2 has been taken adrift and most , thoroughly overhauled, and can be recommissioned w9ien desired. Advice has been received that the "Ruston Id” steam shovel on order will be shipped by the direct steamer to New Plymouth, leaving England in September. Sorting Yard.—The lay-out of the sorting yard has been completed, affording a means of readily distributing the stone fof the different works, and. incidentally, doing array with the necessity of keeping a locomotive in attendance upon the reclamation wagons. Parapet Blocks.—The precaution has been taken of inserting additional pins along the breakwater to hold baek the parapet blocks. Dredge Thomas King.—Two sets of mooring chains and swivels have been made for this vessel; which was practically laid up last month, only running out with 225 tons of stone during a temporary stoppage on the overbridge. Reclamation Wall.—This work is proceeding steadily. During the month 4,406 tons of stone and debris were trucked to the wall, which has been advanced a further 100 feet to a total distance of twice that length. Pile Yard.—The pile yard has been widened , to high water mark. 1411 yards of clay being taken from around the workshop for the purpose. Further widening would encroach upon tidal land, and must be postponed until a light return wall is led back from the main wall. The enclosed area will then be brought up tn reclamation level. Existing Wharf.—General maintenance work has been carried out on this wharf, but no renewals of beams -or piles have been effected during the month. I beg to place before you quotations received for reserve supplies of hardwood timber and piles, and am pleased that the prices are such as to ensure a. sat* isfactory deal being made.

Dredging.— The dredge has reached the inshore limit of the now wharf cut, and has recommenced dredging further out along the site of the wharf in o.uestion with a view to carrying the cut shorewards to a depth of 33 feet below low water. There was certainly no reason to regret the completion of the cut in question, on the off side of which the dredge had latterly to deal with a face composed almost solely of boulders of various sizes. Where it could be employed, the water jet has lately been used, and has given considerable assistance; in hard ground, much better lifting shots being obtained in blasting. The workshop has in hand the construction of pick buckets.from original dredge picks long since discarded.

The Pari tutu’s returns for the month are as follows: Bucket dredging, new wharf cut, 4,100 tons: suction dredging, third fairway cut, 5,600 tons; outside bank, 400 tons; inside. 2.400 tons; a total of 12,500 tons, of which 3.900 tons were dumped westwards of the breakwater extension mound. Leading Beacons.—Large leading beacons are being erected to mark the sailing course adopted by the harbormaster. HOUSING LOAN. The States Advances Office, writing in reference to the proposed housing loan of £5OOO, informed the board that the precedent consent of the Governor-General in Council had been obtained and gazetted. COMMITTEES MERGED. Mr. Wilkinson tendered his resignation as a member of the works committee, as he was unable to attend the meetings. Mr. Kmg moved that the works and finance committee should be merged and that Mr. Wilkinson attend when he could. This would obviate the necessity for his resignation. This motion was carried.