PORT OF PATEA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 4 October 1927, Page 8

PORT OF PATEA.

THE HARBOUR BOA ED

MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly meeting of the Patca Harbour Board held yesterday was attended by Messrs A. T. Christensen (chairman), J. H. Corrigan, S. Blake, \ H. Hodge, A. Pearce, and W. H. Watkins. The pilot, Captain W. Tinnev. and the secretary, Mr E. O. Horner were also in attendance. Leave ot absence was granted to Mr A. N. WilOFFICIALS’ REPORTS.

The harbourmaster and pilot, Captain Win. Tinney, reported that the channel over the bar was straight with about 14ft on the bar and Lift between the Willis at high water spring tides, and about 10ft on the bar and Oft between the walls at high water neap tides. There had been no opportunity to obtain soundings during the last 14 or la days, but this would be done as soon as possible. There had been no change along the walls during the month. Ihe boats had been entering and leaving the port very well even at neap tides. There had been 14 arrivals and 13 departures during the period. Everything at the station was in good working order. The dredgemaster, Mr Alex. Mercer, reported that shallow portions of the river had been dredged during the month, 29(i0 cubic yards of spoil having been removed. Dredging had ceased on Tuesdav last for the purpose of preparit,the dredge for going on the shpwav on Mondav next. The work that would be necessary at the survey had been commenced, and although it had not been possible to put the dredge on the slipway at the last spring tides, this would cause practically no delay to the early recommission of the dredge. During the month the tide gauges had received attention and the beacon at the heads had been re-erect-ed. The gangway that would be necessary at the overhaul had been placed in position. . The chairman stated that at present the dredge was out of commission, the license having expired at the end of Inst month. The reports were received.

GENERAL

The chairman reported that the matter of revising the board’s bv-lans. which had become obsolete, was receiving attention. Copies of the by-laws of the various boards had been obtained and it was expected that within three months a revised set would be submitted for approval. It was proposed that the required by-laws would be framed and later submitted to a solicitor.

A statement tabled by the secretary showed that imports for the month of August had totalled ITS tons and exports 148 tons, valued at £27,002. The secretary, Mr E. O. Horner, renorfed that he "had received a telegram from the borough engineer, Invercargill. asking whether the board had a dredge for sale. He had replied that this was not so, but that it had a 7ton travelling crane available. The chairman reported that the rates for the current period, advice for which had boon recently sent out, were already coming in'well. The board’s finances were in a healthy state, the general account being in credit to the e.' tent of £540.

Accounts totalling £2lO were passed for payment.