PATEA HARBOUR BOARD

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 4 February 1931, Page 10

PATEA HARBOUR BOARD

ALONTHLV MEET 1 NO

The first —richly meeting of the Patea Harbour Board in the new year was held yesterday. Those present were: Messrs A. T. Christensen (chairman), A. H. Hodge, A. Pearce, J. It. Corrigan, S. Blake and \\ . H. Watkins. Mr. S. F.. Barnes, the new harbourmaster, and tlie secretary. Mr. E. O. Horner, were also present. 'lhe chairman welcomed Mr. Blake again to the table after his recent lengthy illness. He hoped that Mr. Blake would enjoy many more years of better health and would in future continue to fill his place at board meetings. Mr. Blake suitably replied, thanking the chairman for his kind remarks.

Correspondence was dealt with and several minor matters decided.

The chairman reported that following on the appointment by the board of Mr. Barnes as harbourmaster the Marine Department had written confirming the appointment and stating that, to bring matters into line with regulations, it would be necessary for the board to appoint a committee of two nautical officers to examine Captain Barnes in knowledge of coastal matters. The chairman stated he had asked Captain White, pilot of Wanganui, and Captain Brigden, of the s.s. Hawera, to examine Captain Barnes. This had been done, and also a medical examination by a doctor, and the results had been forwarded to the departmnet a few days ago. No word had boon received, but the chairman stated he was sure everything was perfectly correct and satisfactory.

The chairman's action was endorsed. The chairman and Mr. Hodge were appointed a committee to read through revised regulations submitted by the Marine Department. Mr. Mercer, who acted as signalman for 3 months 11 days prior to the appointment of a pilot, was granted £6 as an earnest of the board’s recognition of his good work during that time and the inconvenience to him.

The railways district engineer asked for permission to enter on Harbour Board’s property near the bridge, when .surveys would be completed and the land proclaimed in due course. Mr. F. Naismith forwarded a report on the dredge Wallace, stating that considerable wear had taken place in the bilge plates, while some form of corrosion had taken place in the hull, allowing a leakage to take place. He added that the boiler and engines were in first-class order. Mr. A. H. Mercer, signalman, reported that 42 vessels had crossed the bar from December 2 to 31, and he had handed over to Captain Barnes on January 1 without any vessels in port, thus completing three months and eleven days as signalman. With the aid of a launch he sounded the baton December 28. but, owing to the unsuitable state of the .sea, soundings obtained were unreliable. He was, however, able to ascertain the shoaling at the knuckle in the eastern wall to be about six inches more than was indicated on the tide gauge, and the depths at the approach and entrance seemed to show depths of about 18 inches more than was indicated on the gauge.

The dredgemaster reported that,, l owing to poor spring tides hi December, he was unable to float the dredge off the slip, with the result that she was not unshipped till January 6, when everything was absolutely finished in the overhauling. Previous to this lie had to prepare the drag plant to try to disturb a shoaling on the knuckle of the east wall. The gear was in readiness on January 3, out, as the next few days were busy with finalising the dredge overhaul, he did not work the drag until January 7. Unfortunately, the chain pennant of the bridle parted, necessitating the cessation of dragging. The plant was immeditely repaired, but dragging was not resumed owing to the discovery of a hole in the west wall needing immediate attention. Several days were occupied oil this work and dragging f was re-commenced on .January 19 and i was continued until January 27. More work was then required to be done on the west wall on 28th and 29th and ! on the 30th lie was directed to get steam up on the dredge for a final inspection by Mr. Murray, the machinery inspector. This inspection was satisfactory and the dredge is now ready to work again. The harbourmaster (Captain Barnes) reported that he commenced duty on January 2 by making a general inspection of the walls, station, breakwaters and plant. From January 3 to 16 the bar was unworkable, with only one arrival owing to westerly winds and the deposition of silt as the result of a big scour. Soundings, too, have been impossible. The drag scoop worked five days on the ebb tide when there was sufficient run to carry out the disturbed silt. Leaks were found in both walls and the dredge crew had been busy making temporary stops. The holes on the west wall are now closed, but as the stops are simply sacks of .sand they will not last for any time. The dredgemaster reports that the dredge is now ready for work. Arrivals during the month were eight, and departures the same. At the j present ho estimated that there was I one foot to he added to the gauge for j the depth of water at the entrance! and the river maintained a normal depth. During the coining month lie proposed to overhaul all gear, etc., at) the station as an annual survey. In conclusion he thanked members for his appointment and assured tliem that ]iis best endeavours would be for the benefit of the port.

The exports for Patea for December were 2862 tons valued at £297,760, as compared with 19C0 tons and £227,132 for December of 1928. For November the figures were L 127 tons (1490 tons) and £118.340 (£154,552). The imports for the two months were 308 toils (514 tons) and 335 tons (502 tons), the figures in parentheses in each case being for the same months of 1928.