PATEA HARBOR BOARD.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 4 September 1913, Page 6

PATEA HARBOR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING

The ordinary monthly meeting of the] Patea Harbor Board was held in the? ■Cjouncil Chamber on Monday, Mr A.; T. Christensen presiding. Messrs H. G. Dickie, F. W. Grainger, J, E. Death and E. L. Barton were also present: An apology was received for the absence of Captain Johnston through indisposition. Correspondence of & routine nature was read.

Freeman Jackson and Co. wrote re errors in wool weights. Messrs Jackson and Co. asked if the scales were "tested daily when in constant use or only tested at the beginning of the season. The former method was necessary in order to obtain correct weights.

- The chairman said they could now procure scales which printed the weight as the goods were weighed. He shipped some thousands of bales of wool, and they averaged olbs deficiency each when they reached Home. He liad tried to get his scales tested for 20 years, but could not get it done. They had to accept the Home figures unless they had an agent there to watch their interests.

It was decidedthat nothing could be done in the matter, and the subject then dropped. A letter was received from Mr E. L. Barton protesting against the "failure of the committee to give effect to the resolution of the Board re improving entrance, to harbor. Mr Grainger said the matter had not been shelved. The only meeting of the committee was one which had been held in proper form and to which Mr Barton had been invited. The necessary attempt to improve the entrance would be made as soon as possible.

The chairman said the Board wanted to understand clearly whether the committee intended making the experiment opposite the tide gauge or near the walls.

Mr Grainger said that they would only use the boat where it was safe for it to be used.

Mr Barton said last month was an exceptionally good month and he thought the chairman might have exerted himself to find out whether he could carry out the experiments or not. Mr Menhennett had told him that the boat had not been down to the heads, and that it would take three or four days to get it ready. This was why he (the speaker) had written the letter to the Board. The action of the committee seemed to show a lack of sincerity on their part to have the improvements carried out. Moreover it seemed to him that it was a deliberate attempt on the part of the committee to override a resolution of the Board. He had endeavored to find out what the committee had done, biit had not ■seen the minutes. It seemed a great pity that they should "miss the bus" when weather and everything was in their favor.

Mr Grainger said there had not been a <Jay when ho would have risked the boat where Mr Barton wanted it.

Mr Barton said that he could have swum out over the bar the day he was down at the heads."

The chairman said that the question had not been mooted at the meeting ■of the committee at which he was present.

Mr Death: "You knew it was a most important committee meeting, and you -ought to have made a point of being there. Why did you not make it your business to attend?

Mr Barton explained that he was telephoned to at his hotel, when he was at his office, where he had not yet had the telephone installed. Mr Grainger said they would carry ■out the trial at the very first opportunity. He would not jeopardise the ioat as the Board would not take any risk. The Board would have to pay for getting her ready. The chairman said the Board would not take any risk at all. The company would take the boat down on the first opportunity. Mr Graingcr: "Yes, but we will not run any unnecessary risk." Mr Barton said he realised that the work would not be carried out.

The subject then dropped. It was resolved that the ohairman and secretary should proceed to Wellington in connection with the Harbor Loan Bill, now before the Local Bills Committee of the House.

The Temporary Improvement Committee reported that it had decided to engage Mr Tait with his launch for six months at a salary of £6 per week. The committee also recommended that a. punt be constructed at a cost of £200 and that the breakwater be boarded up as far as possible. Mr Grainger also reported that Messrs Locker and TKxon had been engaged in repairing work at the heads. The protection blocks on the eastern wall for a distance of about a chain -were now hanging and it was necessary to have the work of repairing this wall done as soon as possible. The reports were adopted.* The pilot's report stated that the -channel over the bar was straight bearing S.W. by S. f S. from the lightliouse by compass, with about 12ft at high water spring tides and Bft at neap tides, and about 180 ft wide between the walls, narrowing to 100 ft when abreast of guide pier, -but with deep water in the channel. Soundings on the 22nd ult showed 12ft on the bar, 10ft 6in just inside the walls, and 9£t 6in on gauge. During the month there were 17 arrivals and 16 departures, eight going out on lights. The clerk asked the Board to meet on the 29th inst if possible, as he was proceeding to Napier on the following week.—lt was decided to do so.

Accounts were read and passed for payment, and the Board rose.— Abridged from Press.