PORT OF PATEA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 5 October 1926, Page 10

PORT OF PATEA.

THE II ARE OUR BOARD. MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting ot the Pat-ea Harbour Board was held yesterday. Present: Messrs A. T. Christensen (chairman), E. A. Pacey, J. R. Corrigan, A. Hodge, A. N. Williams and W. H. Watkins. REPORTS. The harbourmaster and pilot-, Captain W. Tinney, reported that for the month of September and up to yesterday the channel over the bar was straight, with about 13 feet depth between the "walls and about 1-1 feet on the bar at high water spring tides, and about 9 feet between the walls and 10 feet on the. bar at high water neap tides. The bar was sounded on September 29. when soundings of 9ft 6Ln between the walls and 10ft on the bar, with sft 9in registering on the tide gauge were obtained. This was thought to be very good aftei the heavv westerly gales and heavy seas experienced recently.. The bar was in .rood condition, and it was lioped that the week-end rains would not bring down too much silt. There liad been I t arrivals and 11 departures during the period. Everything at the station was in good working order. Tii moving the adoption of the report, the chairman said that the channel was liow in good order, and if the bar remained for about six months in its present state the board would have a substantial credit balance at the end of the year. A matter of congratulation was that, during the month the Tnaha had worked over the bar on dead neap tide, drawing Bft Bin. with the gauge showing - 6ft Bin. It was oenerallv agreed that (shipmasters considered'the'entrance as bejng safe to negotiate. . Tii replv to Mr Hodge, Captain Tinnev said ‘that the bank which formed some' distance from the mouth of the river as a result of the storm some months back had quite disappeared. The report was adopted. The dredgem'aster, Mr Alex. Mercer, reported that 2320 cubic yards of silt had been dredged and deposited at the mouth of the river, the dredging operations being carried out principally along the grader and railway wharves, three days also being devoted to snagging. Strong westerly winds prevented dredging from September 13 to 18, this period being occupied with carding out necessary work in connection with the annual overhaul. The poorest soundings obtained during the examination of the bar and channel registered 3ft 9in more than that indicated by the tide gauge. The chariman, who moved the adoption of the report, stated that the dredge would go on the slip to-day for the annual inspection and overhaul, and it was hoped that little would be found necessary in the way of repairs. The report was adopted.

FINANCIAL.

Reporting on the financial position, the chairman stated that at the end of nine months of the present year the board had a credit balance of £IOB. which he considered satisfactory in • view of the heavy expenditure met during the period in the way of alterations to the mole and tree planting. It had been generally found that the last three months of tiie year were the best from a financial point of view, and lie felt the board could be congratulated upon its position. A considerable amount had been written off the assets during the period in the way of depreciation, and this was included in the statement. RATING. . The chairman said that since the posting of the rate demands the secretary liad been in receipt of several communications as to tlie reason for the rates being- struck on the old valuation. The board was bound under the Rating Act to follow this course, as no rate could be struck unless the valuation roll affected was in hand. This year’s rates had been struck in June, while the valuation roll had not been despatched from Wellington till July 13. A discussion then 'took place on the legal position, but the chairman quoted the Act, and it was agreed he. was correct. DREDGING BUCKETS. While the dredgemaster’s report was under discussion. Mr Hodge suggested that the board should obtain a loan of or hire one of the .dredging buckets patented bv Mr E. W. Tait. of Patea, and which had been used with success bv other boards for dredging purposes. The bucket, at present used by tlie board was too heavy, and besides being costly in fuel and labour, the upkeep of c-liains was considerable. Mr Williams said he had seen one of the buckets and believed it would give better service than the present one.

The chairman was in favour of the suggestion. He said lie believed that the adoption of one of the lighter buckets would effect a considerable saving to the board. The bucket at present used had been intended for dredging shingle and was heavier than was required. It was decided to place the matter in the of - the -chairman and Messrs Hodge and Williams, with power to act.