HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 September 1922, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

SURVEY OF PORT. INQUIRIES FOR IRONSAND. The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth Harbor Board was held yesterday. Present: Messsra. C. E. Bellringer (chaiiunan), E. Maxwell, C. E. McGuinness, D. J. Hughes, Newton King, C. H. Burgess, J. S. Connett and C. A. Wilkinson. The Minister of Marine, the Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, wrote with respect to the board’s request for a survey of the harbor and coastline in the vicinity, that representations had been made to the naval authorities, but it was regretted that no assistance could be obtained from that source at present. As far as port limits were concerned, it was desirable that boards should make their own arrangements to carry out surveys desired in such a manner as would ensure the results being acceptable by the Admiralty Hydrographic Departunent. This - had already been done at other ports. Respecting coastlines generally, the whole matter was under review by the Government, and when a decision had beep reached the board would be communicated with further. Captain Waller said that the plan of the harbor was out of date. Masters had frequently spoken to him about it and it was a shame that a progressive port like New Plymouth should apparently be left out in the cold when other ports had large and up-to-date plans of their harbors. The board intends to go further into the matter. IRONSAND. The Mines Department, Wellington, advised that the Copper Separation Ltd., Perth, had requested information concerning Taranaki ironsands for the purpose of applying same in the treatment of copper ores. They wished to know from whom the sands could be purchased and at what price per ton exclusive or inclusive of (a) placing on ship for transport to Fremantle, W.A. or Sydney, N.S.W., and (b) transport costs to Fremantle, W.A. or Sydney, N.S.W. It was decided to inform the Department that the board charged a shilling a ton royalty on its sand, but the question of transport charges would depend on the quantities required. If the company would supply some idea concerning this latter the board- would try to get quotations. DELAY IN FORWARDING GOODS. The Hawera Chamber of Commerce advised in reference to correspondence concerning delay in forwarding goods ex ship and the board’s request for specific cases that the agitation had had effect on the Railway Depart•ment and since the complaints were made goods had been arriving in Hawera more expeditiously and with more regularity. Under the circumstances it was not thought desirable to press past cases, but any future complaints will be sent to the board so that they could be passed on to the Railway Department.—Received. WORKER’S DWELLINGS. The State Advances Office wrote with reference to the board's application for a loan 6f £5OOO for the purpose of erecting workers’ dwellings, asking whether in the event of the application being entertained the board would give as security for the loan, in addition to revenues and endowments, a first mortgage over the land on which the buildings were to be erected.—-Agreed to. HARBOR MASTER’S REPORT. The harbor master, Captain W. Waller, reported that for the five weeks ending Saturday, September 16, the number of vessels which had entered the port was 28, with an aggregate tonnage of 45260 tons. The Imports were 14089 tons and exports 1819 tons, a total of 15908 tons. The s.s. Otaraima, 7760 tons and 470 feet long arrived on August 14. and loaded 460 tons of frozen meat. Her draught was 19 ft. 7 In. forward and 22ft. Ilin. aft. The Kaikoura, 8697 tons, length 476 feet, landed 1553 tons of general cargo and loaded 688 tons of frozen meat. Her draught was 15 ft. forward and 22 ft. aft. The Eastern Sea, 5858 tons, landed 1100 tons of case oil and general cargo. Draught 14 ft. 3 in. forward and 20 ft. 3 in. aft. The Waltemata, 5729 tons, arrived on the 15th inst. with 2000 tons of cargo. Draught 20 ft. 7 in. forward and 21 ft. 7 in. aft. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The resident engineer, Mr. G. W. B. Lowson, submitted the following report:— Dredging.—The Paritutu has been engaged during the period mainly in deepening the new wharf cut, which has now been dredged to 30 feet for 680 feet. 33 feet for 60 feet, and 20 feet for 110 feet. The quarterly boilercleaning took place on the week-end, commencing August 19, and advantage was taken of the opportunity to re-sheath the top of the funnel and to attend to other small jobs in connection with the suction and boiler feed pumps, ladder rope hoist gear, etc. The dredging returns for the period are: Bucket dredging, new wharf cut. 6,756 tons: suction dredging, sand bank. 7,600 tons; outside bank, 1,200 tons; total, 15,550 tons, of which 3,850 tons were dumped westward of the breakwater extension mound. Wharf Repairs.—A good deal of repair work was effected to the existing wharf during the period, piles’ stringers and caps being renewed in the vicinity of sheds 9 and 10. Leading Beacons.—The erection of the new leading beacons was completed In due course and fixed red lights Installed to meet the requirements of the harbor master. The beacons were chequered in a conspicuous manner according to the board’s instructions. Mlkotahi Wa11.—565 tons of stone were placed on this wall to build it up to grade. To complete this work it will be necessary to protect the seaward face with heavier stone. Breakwater Prolection.—The protecting apron received attention during the period, 1150 tons of heavier stone being placed thereon. Grouting and underpinning were also attended’to. Reclamation Wall.—The construction of this wall was somewhat hindered last month in order to attend to the above protective works. 2199 tons of material were trucked to this job. which was advanced 40 feet to a total distance of 240 feet. General. —-The ordinary general maintenance work has been attended to during the period, all the shore plant being in good running The chairman said the report disclosed a very satisfactory position regarding dredging. There were only 110 feet of the wharf cut to be dredged down to a depth of 33 feet in the whole length. Work In this connection had been proceeding very satisfactorily during the past month. Replying to Mr. Maxwell, the engineer said that this 110 feet should be completed within three months.