OPUNAKE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 3 June 1927, Page 2

OPUNAKE.

MEETING OF HARBOUR BOARD. The annual meeting of the Opunake Harbour Board was held yesterday, Mr T. p. Hughson presiding. Others present, were: Messrs C. H. Hurst, J. A. Pettigrew, T. H. H. Sinclair and C. A. Trotter. ANNAUL REPORT. The. chairman, in his annual report, stated:— It was found desirable to abandon the idea of a roadway along the beach out in front of the cliff, and on the recommendation of the engineer (Mr Yickerman) the machines were moved back along the beach, picking up .aid available stone. Then the incline w:as regraded and the machines shifted to the top of the cliff at Middleton’s Bay, stone then being lifted from the inshore or head of the bay end,' thus obviating the difficulty previously experienced bv the smaller stone (liberated through the removal of the large stone) washing up and covering up the large .stone. The collection of stone from Middieton’s Bav has been very satisfactory, and if the same principle had been adopted in regard to the Opunake Bay, the exoense incurred in the excavation of a bench amounting to £3755 would have gone a long way towards the completion of the scheme. In connection with our application do raise the additional 10 per cent, of the original loan, we were visited by Mr Furkert. engineer-in-chief, and also by the Minister of Marine (the Hon. G. J. Anderson). Several sections of the hoard’s reserves have been leased at a. satisfactory figure. A considerable quantity of surplus timber and plant noti now required is being offered for sale. In consequence of shortage of funds the; board is competed, on the recommendation of the engineer, to arrange for the completion of the breakwater to the 500 feet mark, the toe extending to about 625 feet. This should give lair shelter to shipping in ordinary weather, and the board hopes to be able to demonstrate to a certain extent the great .advantages of the port to the district. We hope to have the breakwater and wharf completed within the next three months.

It' is satisfactory to note that shipping companies are interesting themselves in the trade of the port, and are prepared to take up -the running as soon as we are ready. This indicates that the port should be a busy one when completed. It is unfortunate that we are unable, through lack of funds, to complete the breakwater to 900 feet with the turn, as this would practically obviate disturbances to shipping through surge in all weathers;. The continuation of the Works with the staging and plant in good working order would certainly he much more economical than deferring it to a later period, but under present circumstances the board caifnot see its way clear to move for a further loan to complete the mole, although I am sure that ratepayers would sanction a further loan .if they can see the port working. It must be realised that until the mole is completed to 900 feet the port cannot be workable at all times. On the motion of Messrs C. A. Trotter and C. H. Hurst, Mr T. P. Hughson was unanimously re-elected chain--man.

Mr C. H. Hurst was re-elected deputy-chairman. Committees were re-e'ected as follows : Works and supervising, the chairman. Messrs C. A. Trotter and H. Young; re selves, Messrs T. H. H. Sinclair, J. ,A. Pettigrew, and R. C. Watson; finance, Messrs C. H. Hurst. T. H. H. Sinclair and C. A. Trotter. The report was unanimously adopted.

GENERAL,

The works committee reported _ that the work was progressing satisfactorily and that the foreman 'had been instructed to protect the end of the breakwater at 560 feet. The toei that the engineer had said should be con- 1 structed to 610 feet was .now out to 625 feet, almost to low water mark. At spring tide high water the breakwater at the outer end would be over 35 feet high, and the base was a chain and a quarter wide. Mr H. R. Vickerman, consulting engineer, forwarded a copy of a letter forwarded to Mr Ashby, the wharf contractor-. .stating that, except for speed and points already mentioned, the work was proceeding satisfactorily. Unless the contractor con'd make some change it would take considerably oner the contract period to complete. Mr D. C. Potts, agent for the Northern Steam Ship Company, notified that after visiting Opunake, lie had reported to his head l office regarding the harbour works, and the possibility of opening up tirade with the port in the spring. Captain Hammond, the general manager, had instructed him to keep in touch and when the wharf was ready for (shipping he intended visiting it. Notification was also received Regarding a visit to the port by officers of the Canterbury Shipping Company. It was decided that members of the board meet members of the Canterbury Shipping Company on Wednesday morning. The Local Government Loans’ Board asked for estimated loan proposals for the financial year ending March 31, 1928, showing briefly the purposes of each loan and the amount thereof. The consulting engineer notified that there was no objection to the slip-way being constructed inside the mole, provided permission was conditional on its removal if it was later found to be undesirable. The clerk said he had notified the applicant to that effect, and had also notified that the fee would be £2 10s per annum, payable in advance. The board passed l a resolution imposing the 10 per cent, penalty on all rates unpaid by June 22. The. clerk stated that the rates were coming in fairly well, but there was.still a considerable amount outstanding.