HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1922, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

THE MONTHLY MEETING. 'The New Plymouth Harbor Board met yesterday. Present: Messrs. C. E. Bellringer (chairman), Newton King, C. H. Burgess, J. McCluggage, J. S. Connett, C. A. Wilkinson, and E. Maxwell. HARBORMASTER’S REPORT. The harbormaster (Capt. W. Waller) reported for the period of four weeks ending October 14, as follows: Number of vessels entering port, 20; aggregate tonnage, 14,711; imports, 7577. tons, exports 1038 tons, total 8615 tons; Government coal landed, 3000 tons, the latter being unloaded for the Railway Department by the Iron Chief, now in port from Newcastle. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The resident engineer (Mr. G. W. B. Lowson) reported for the period September 18 to October 14: Dredging.—The Paritutu’s returns for the month are: Bucket dredging, new wharf cut, 5200 tons; suction dredging, sandbank, 5600 tons; outside bank, 1200 tons; a total of 12,000 tons, of which. 1300 tons wero dumped westwards of the Breakwater mound. In dredging the wharf cut, the Parltutu recently .penetrated to a stratum of soft oilsand underlying the usual conglomerate, with the result that progress was naturally quicker, only 30 feet of-the cut on the inshore end remaining, to bo deepened to 33 feet. Unfortunately, however, towards the end of the period,, after so many months of heavy dredging, the bucketladder was found to be giving close to the hangers, and had to be repaired without delay. One solid bulkhead was Inserted therein, and three other diagonal frames stiffened and built on to the longitudinal plates. This work, together with rough weather, accounted for S’/s lost working days during the month. Two additional bucket picks were built up for use on the dredge. Existing Wharf. —Very good progress was made in repairing the existing wharf, stringers and caps being renewed where necessary In 180 feet of the eastern berth. Four new piles were driven, and old ones Inspected by the diver and re-sheathed where necessary. Quarrying.—The supply of stone from the quarry was-Interrupted during the month, while the face was being battered back at the top ; increase the safety of the men and plant a' work below. The majority of the men wcr then engaged on reclamation work, as detailcbelow. A. start was made to drive the tunnel for the third blast In the hill. Reclamation Works.—The main reclamation wall was advanced 60 feet to a total distance of 300 feet, and a light rubble wall, about 200 feet long, to protect the pile-yard approach, was partly constructed for almost its entire length. A total of 2731 tons of rubble was trucked to this work, and 861 yards of clay were taken from the bank near the overbridge and dumped behind the reclamation wall. Breakwater.—Further repairs to this structure were effected in the way of grouting up crevices, etc. Breakwind. The timber for this structire duly came to hand, and tlie work of building the trusses was brought under way. Plant.—The shore plant is In good running order. To meet the requirements of the Inspection of Machinery Department, considerable repairs had to be effected to (the boilers of the Thomas King, while new main steam-pipes and fittings were inserted between the boilers and the main engine. NATIVE BOAT LANDING. The clerk of the Native Affairs Committee, Wellington, wrote In reference to the- petition of Neha Kfpa and another, asking for a grant of land, at Moturoa for a fishing-place and boat-landing, to which the board had replied hi January last, to the effect that they regretted having to oppose the petition. On this petition the Native Affairs Committee -had no recommendation to make. "I am now directed,” stated the writer, “to inform you that the natives have presented another petition to Parliament asking that provision be made when any reclamation is effected for an adequate boat-landing for their use, and that the committee desire to know if your board could reserve a boat-landing for them in lieu of the present one, which is 'in danger of being closed owing to the reclamation works. I would be obliged if you would let me know if your board can do anything in this matter within the next fortnight, if possible, so that the matter can be disposed of this session.” The chairman expressed the opinion that the board was not called upon to do anything further in the matter, as the natives had no rights, and if their petition were granted it would mean Interference with the reclamation work. He thought a concession of that kind should not be given to anybody. The board i need give no further reason for its action. Mr. Wilkinson moved that the board regretted that It could not accede to the request. Mr. Burgess seconded tlie motion, which was carried. HARBOR AMENDMENT ACT.

A copy of the proposed Harbor Amendment Act, 1922, now before the House, was in tlie hands of members. Mr. Maxwell drew attention to Clause 2, which gave power to harbor boards >to lease, (not to let or license, he pointed out) foreshores, which, in many cases, comprised miidflats, etc. He thought It improper to grant perpetual rights of renewal, instancing a case at Auckland, when the boatd, before undertaking a big reclamation scheme, had to buy back the lease at an enormous cost. He considered the board Should protest against the possibility of paying immense sums of money in this way. Though it did not affect the .New Plymouth . Harbor Board, he thought a protest should be made. Mr. King pointed out that the ooard could not very well go back on the remit passed at the Harbor Boards’ Conference, while Mr. Wilkinson thought that there was nothing very wrong with the clause in Its present form. Mr. Maxwell moved that the board oppose the second section of the Bill, as it considered that provision should be made for resumption by boards at any time on payment of the cost of reclamation and other improvements. He consideerd the protest should be forwarded to the executive of the Harbor Boards’ Association, who were to meet the following day. Mr. Wilkinson seconded, pro forma, but thought that by opposing the clause progress would be stopped on foreshore lands which were being improved. He recognised that Mr. Maxwell was looking at the matter from a national viewpoint, but thought that the Government, with the Marine Department to advise them, would do the right thing. The motion was declared carried. GENERAL. Wilson’s Portland Cement Co. wrote agreeing to the board’s request that one of the board's officials should be enabled to view the Ruston steam shovel in operation, in view of the fact that the board had a similar machine on order. It was resolved to thank Messrs. Wilson for the facilities they had afforded to the board’s officials.