OPUNAKE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 2 July 1927, Page 6

OPUNAKE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

HARBOUR BOARD. Tlie monthly meeting of 'the Opunake Harbour Board, was held yesterday, when there were present: Messrs T. P. Hughson (chair), C. H. Hurst, T. H. H. Sinclair, C. A. Trotter, R. C. Watson, H. Young. The chairman reported verbally on the works as follows: Very satisiactory progress with stone has been made, the mole being practically completed to 550 feet amt partly so to 575 feet, excluding the foot_ The wharf contractor is making slow progress, and is now out at the point where the wharf proper commences. He recommended that the remaining concrete piles be driven in the middle pier of the wharf proper. The contract period had elapsed and the engineer is to be notified accordingly.

A letter .was received from the Chamber of commerce conveying its support of the board in its efforts to make the port revenue-producing. The secretary reported regarding the sale of plant and material. Mr. Hughson brought forward his notice of motion, which was as follows: “That an estimate be procured from the engineer for tlie completion of the breakwater and wharf in accordance with original plans, with a view to placing the matter before the ratepayers.

A lengthy discussion ensued, and an luneiidment to the effect that consideration of the motion be deferred for twelve months was lost on tlie casting vote of the chairman. The motion was then put and, on a division being called, Messrs Hurst, Watson, and Sinclair voted against, and Messrs Young, Trotter, and Hughson for the motion, which was carried on the casting vote of the chairman^ The chairman explained, when speaking to the motion, that the, staging already erected, and which had cost £12,000, would in the course of a year or so become so damaged by toredo that it would become of no further use, and to complete the .scheme new staging would have to be erect oil. This would cost a considerable sum. lie thought that the position should be explained to the ratepayers. It was decided to cease stone work on Friday, Btli inst., the wharf work to proceed as usual. The question of arranging for an overseer was left in the hands of the Works Committee.