OPUNAKE HARBOUR BOARD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 2 June 1928, Page 3

OPUNAKE HARBOUR BOARD.

ANNUAL MEETING. At the annual meeting of the Opunake Ha rib our Board yesterday, the chairman, Mr. T. P. Hughson, submitted his annual report. In 'the .course of this he expressed regret (that greater progress had not been made during the two years that the present board had been in office, but .construction of harbour works was nearly always slow. Nevertheless considerable new work had been undertaken and satisfactorily completed as far as possible. The contractor completed the wharf to the satisfaction of the board’s consulting engineers and the board, and a goods shed had been erected in concrete at the root of the wharf. It was fitted with two doors to allow discharging. from trucks and loading by lorries to be carried on at the same time. The road had been graded down to the goods shed and wharf so as to ) allow satisfactory negotiation by lorry. In July, 1927/in consequence of depletion of loan monies, the stone work in connection with the extension of the breakwater was discontinued, all hands being discharged except Mr. Bowman, who was appointed to oversee the wharf construction and attend to stock and. plant overhaul, but by the sale of a considerable quantity of surplus timber and other stocks they were able to make another -start with stonework and had lifted and -deposited 5260 tons of stone, extending the mole to 600 feet complete. The engineers carried out a survey of the port in .the vicinity o'f the wharf and fairway, which revealed a few snags or rocks which required removal and would .necessitate the services of a diver. Application having been made to the Marine Department for 'assistance in the removal of these obstructions, -a grant of £3OO had been mhde and the work Would therefore be proceeded with by the board under the supervision of the department. The work would be put iu hand as soon as conditions permitted. The board having, requested the engineer ito prepare- tan -estimate of the cost of completion of the breakwater to 900 feet and an extension of wharf in accordance with original -proposal, Mr. Vickerman visited Opunake and went carefully over the stone deposits and method of working them. It was found that very satisfactory stone in sufficient quantity could be obtained (at the southern side of Opunake B'ay, and the estimate submitted to the board was £27,000. The rcp'or’.t added that at the time the chairman had given notice of motion that the ratepayers be approached for authority to raise the necessary amount, but later leave whs granted to adjourn Consideration of the matter sine die, with a view to having the snags removed and thus be in a posh tion to demonstrate the great- advantages to be gained by the port. 'He was reluctant, 'to delay the matter as the stability of the ' breakwater staging might be menaced by the depredations of the toredo; it-he cost of this staging to the board was £12,000. He consider, ed that t'he whole matter should be placed before the ratepayers go that they clearly understood the position and realised their responsibility. The directing beacons lin Connection -with the fairway 'had been placed in position and order and the flagstaff had been removed from -the old site to the high ground near (the wharf. The mole had been well tested by -heavy seas during Che year, .but 'had ist'aod -up to it splendidly. A few -places where ; settling had .taken plcae had been fill-

eel up during stone tipping operations. In concluding the chairman thanked . the members and staff for their ■cooperation and 'attention to . the .business. .. » ■ On the m'otion of Messrs. Trotter and:: Wats-on the report was unanimouslyadopted, there being no discussion. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Mr. Hughson was then unanimously re-elected chairman. - * ■ Mr C. A. Troltter was elected deputychairman in succession ito Mr. €. H. Hurst, who declined nomination owing to health reasons. Members expressed regret, appreciative references being made to the services rendered by Mr. Hurst during the years he had been deputy-chairman. Committees were re-elected as follow: Works, Messrs. C. A. Trotter, H. Young and 'the chairman; finance, Messrs. O. H. Hurst, C. A. Trotter, T. H. H. Sinclair and the chairman; reserves, Messrs J. A. Pettigrew, T. 'H. li., Sinclair, and R. 0. Watson..