OPUNAKE HARBOUR WORKS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 6 March 1926, Page 6

OPUNAKE HARBOUR WORKS.

MEETING OF TH E BOARD. The monthly meeting of the Opunake Harbour Board was) held yesterday! In the absence of the chairman (Mr. T. P. Hughson), who is. representing the board at the Harbour Board’s. Conference, and the deputy-chairman (Mr. -G. H. Hurst), Mr. G. A. Trotter was voted to the chair. Others present for the conduct of business were : Messrs T. H. H. Sinclair, A. .T. Pettigrew and H. Young. GOST OF STONE. Reports received from the consulting engineers (Messrs. .Vickerman and Lancaster) computed that for the week ended February 6. 484 tons of stone were tipped into the breakwater at an average cost of 4s lOd pier ton. For the week ended February 12, 1330 tons were* tipped at a cost of 2,s 2d per ton, and for the week ended February 19, 1092 tens had been placed at 2s 9d per ton, the total deposited in tlie three weeks thus being 2706 tons, at an average cost of 2s lOd per ton. Tlie chairman explained that the reason for the big difference 'between the first and second weeks was that during the second week the cranes operated on a dump where supplies of stone had been previously deposited, by the haulers. Since the period, mentioned in the report, the work had continued, though some time was lost pending the arrival of a new cable to replace the haulage tail rope, which had been broken. The arrival of the new cable yesterday, however, enables operations to be resumed at the normal rate of progress. EMPLOYEE’S WAGES. A letter signed by 15 of the board’s employees requested ail adjustment of the present wages system. Tlie letter suggested that the present hourly rate be continued provided that a minimum of 48 hours weekly was guaranteed, failing which it was proposed that the rate be increased to men engaged in stone ho ul age and dumping, as conditions often prevented more than six or seven hours’ work daily. It was decided to defer consideration to a fuller meeting. THE EXTRA 10 PER, CENT. A legal opinion received in response to the board’s inquiry intimated that the board was empowered to raise 10 per cent on the original £50,000 loan, the obtaining of consent of the Minister of Finance being the only formality to be complied with. Correspondence from the Marine Department, relating to this and general matters, was held over pending the return of the chairman (Mr. Hughson). GENERAL A letter dated. February 20, received from the Valuation, Department, advised, in reply to the representations made, by the board for a revaluation of the distinct, that inquiries were being made into the matter. The action of Mr. Young in arranging fc-r a, supply of firewood at £2 15s per cord was approved. The sub-letting of the board’s office to Mr Gibson was reported by the clerk.