PATEA HARBOUR BOARD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 23 September 1924, Page 6

PATEA HARBOUR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. - The ordinary meeting was held at Patea yesterday when there were presMessrs. A. T. Christensen (chair). Williams, Verry, Corrigan and Grainger. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. GENERAL. Mr. J. H. Baker wrote complaining that timber had been removed fiom land leased by him from the board.—The chairpan said that lessees had always first claim on timber on such land.

The chairman stated that he had instructed the cleric to write to the Marine Department asking them to check the tide tables.

Mr. Grainger added that not only were tide tables wrong, but that the nautical almanack was also incorrect. The chairman said that in due time they 'would hear from the department, and meantime the board would take a!i care to see that steps were taken to see that tides were right. The Harbours’ Association advised, the date of the annual conference. Copies of lease from the board to Mrs. AY at son were received from Messrs. Hamel and Rutherford. The leases are to be signed by Messrs. Williams, Grainger and the clerk. An. apology was received from Mr. E. A. Pacey for non-attendance. 'Hie proprietors of the Board and Council newspaper asked the board to become subscribers to the paper, which the chairman said was 35s per/annum. He considered the information available and the legal opinions therein were' very valuable. He added that, it had recently been decided to make it the official organ. Mr. Corrigan said that this point would probably make up the subscription easily, and on his motion it was decided to subscribe as requested. Samples and details of ironsand wore asked for by a big London firm, and these, the chairman advised, had been supplied. The county clerk, Hawera, wrote in reference to collection of harbour rates, from natives in the rating district, of which lie had • secured about £23. He advised also that it had been necessary to employ an interpreter.

The chairman said that this amount had been looked on. as lost, and it was also useful to get the natives to recognise their liability to pay rates. It was agreed to. allow 15 per cent, commission to coyer interpreter’s expenses and to allow a regular commission in future.

Messrs. McCarty and Hunger sent a communication re repairs to dredge buckets.

Mr. Grainger said that it would he good policy to ■ get a. price- for new buckets because this might pay better than repairing. The chairman and Mr. Grainger were authorised to see the firm and decide what was to be done.

_ Mr. Grainger brought up the question of, the silting'up of the river near the bridge, and urged that the dredge should be brought up to deal with it. He said he had noticed-the difference during recent years. The chairman agreed it was a serious matter, hut the work could be done only at spring tides. He was certain the council would co-operate in this and in the suggested work of using snags to protect the banks.

The matter is to be given early attention. -

PILOT’S REPORT.

The report was as follows: The channel over the bar is straight, with about 12ft 6in. between the walls and 15ft on bar at high water spring tides, and about Bft 6in. between walls and about lift on bar at high water neap tides. There is about 180 ft of width' between walls. On the 13th soundings showed 12ft 6in between the walls and 15ft on bar, with Bft- on the tide gauges. There have been six arrivals and six departures. Since last .report, two went out on the lights. The walls have been examined and found unchanged. The river was sounded and found, shoaled up at the point south of the grading wharf and a little By the viaduct where the dredge is working. Everything at the station is in good working order. DREDGING REPORT.

The report was ‘as follows: The dredge has been employed continuously doing the grader wharf and at die sand spit- below. Three thousand eight hundred and fifty tons of spoil have been deposited in the mouth of the river. It was found that dredging was required at 'the viaiduct and at Pulley’s wharf. Several large snags have been removed.

The dredgemaster also reported that, the boat had got adrift on the 18th owing to the heavy seas running. It swamped and went- out over the bar. and was recovered after haying been out to sea and had been returned little the worse for the journey.

NEXT MEETING. It- was resolved that no meeting be held in October, ami that the nc'xr meeting be held on November 4, and that authority bo given to the local members to pay accounts due.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

The chairman reported that ho and

Mr. Corrigan had attended the conference as delegates, and had found the work done very interesting and in-

structive. The Patea remit had been adopted unanimously after the addition of the word “shells.’’ He said that other places were affected, and he was assured by the secretary that legislation. would shortly be put through and the measure into working order. There had been interestingdiscussions on matters affecting hoards and the Wellington people had enter-

tained delegates and enabled them to see much that was of interest to- delegates. He considered it necessary and advisable .to hold conferences where they could meet and get the result of the experiences of others. A hearty vote of. thanks was passed

to both delegates for their good work Mr. Corrigan said they .had had much good argument, and their remit had been carried when they had shown other boards that action was neces-

sary. * At first there was opposition, but Nelson and a North Auckland board had supported them, and eventually unanimity had been reached. The discussion showed how necessary it was to hold up the interests of the coastal ports by “swopping” ideas, and so they proved the value and the efficiency of the boards. Mr. Christensen also replied, acknowledging the value of the addresses by the Minister of Marine and by the

secretary. He stated that Colonel Mitchell (Wellington chairman) had been an excellent president and had treated them most courteously and helped them in every way. Mr. Corrigan suggested, and it was agreed, that a letter of thanks and appreciation be sent to the Wellington

Board for the excellent - and efficient way they had conducted the conference, and also to the Governor-General for his valued help and advice. ' Mr. Christensen advised that the next conference would probably be held in Dunedin at the time of the exhibition.

On his suggestion a vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Corrigan for his help, despite the fact that he had to attend to his Parliamentary duties, for the keen interest he had taken in the work of the conference. He said that there would be no expenses for either delegate, Mr. ‘Corrigan having been in Wellington, and he himself paying expenses out of the chairman's honorarium.

The members passed- a. vote of thanks to them both for their attendance at the conference and the useful i nform ation disseminated.

The board, after passing accounts for payment, adjourned.