NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 10 May 1921, Page 4

NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR

FINANCIAL POSITION" DISCUSSED

At yesterday's meeting o f the New Plymouth Harbour Board the question of th« method of construction of the breakwater extension was introduced when the engineer (Mr G. W. Baxter .Lowson) submitted a report at the request ot the Board, giving estimates of the comparative cost of the work mentioned m jufoble or extended as on the present lines.

The engineer estimated that it would take three and. a' half years to complete the 800 ft of extension following the existing construction, and the co-.t would be £69,600, or £87 per lineal foot. lne extension i n rubble with the wall eight feet higher than at present would take about two years to complete, at a total cost *of £45,500, or £06 5s per 'lineal foot. Costs," the engineer remarked, I should not like to be taken as quite final, but they show that for this length of extension the construction in rubble is much more economical, and i« to be recommended. Jn passing It may 'be remarked that evidently ithe construction in rubble has its economical limits, as may be seen iby the fact that its comparatively -wide ibase will (become costly in deep water, 'but no doubt this would in some manner 'be reduced if the present methods of construction -were used—that is laying the foundation and allowing the sand to ibank up against the -seaward face." The Board decided that the report be submitted for the consideration of the consulting engineers (Messrs Blair Mason, Leg and Owen). Later in the meeting the Board also discussed the financial aspect of the operations and the prospects of continuing the extension of the breakwater.

" The position at the present time is considerably ibetter than we imagined it would ibe some time ago," (said the chairman (jMr Newton King). "We are in credit at the <bank to the exfent of £2203, and we have £10,000 due any day from the sale of debentures."

Jn reply <to questions, Mr King eaid the accounts passed at that day's meeting amounted "to £3600. Commitments to ihe met included visit of dredge to Wellington for overhaul (£3000); timber and rails, £2500, There were also amounts which •would 'be needed to pay for rope a"nd other items ordered; there "would ibe about £1800 oi a (balance, along with which .were ihe port receipts of about £2000 per month. Mr Wilkinson: Is it possible to go on with the laying of the tramline to Parituitu P The chairman: I think so. Mr Wilkinson said the work mentioned "was an important on€*~and .(he ttwmght the Bdard might carry it out even if quarrying operations « rere stopped in the .meantime. With the limited funds available the Board I ought to concentrate on certain works as much as possible. There wa_s a certain 'amount of risk in leaving the breakwater extension at present, as the stone might ibe distunbed by gales. The chairman: It cannot be helped. Mr Wilkinson said he thought the ipuiblic generally were satisfied that the position -was unavoidable. He hoped the Board would not exhaust its overdraft powers, but keep something in hand, in case of urgency. In reply to Mr Connett, the secretary (Mr C. S. Renneli) said -the Board would need aibout £3500 per month to carry on. The chairman suggested that they -should continue for six months with the present staff without reducing. 'Mr Maxwell pointed out that at the rate mentioned the Board would require £7000 to *.cc them through the next two months, and ail jthey (had m sight by the July meeting was £5400, le-avdng a deficiency of £1600. Mr Bellringer said they might be able to raise funds iby hypothecating1 debentures, proiba.bly £10,000 spread over four or five months. I -In reply to a member, the engineer said the construction of the Paritutu i line would cost about £2900. ' iMj Maxwell said that though the thought of closing down was not plea- : sant he did not think the work they had to do could be carried on-by a hand-to-mouth system. ■ Conditions in i regard to .wages and materials 'vveve not very favourable at present, and he thougbJt that in six months' time they would get 60 per cent, more value for money expended on these items. In view of this he I,'hought the wisest pol- , icy would ibe to close down the loan works. Mr McGuinness favoured the proposal made iby Mr Wilkinson that the Paritutu tramline should ibe constructed. Mr McCluggage said the Board did not want to "be too pessimistic, as all local (bodies were embarrassed. He, was not in favour of stopping the works altogether. I discussion iby the Hoard -was in committee, and, on resuming, it was reported that .(the position would 'be further reviewed at a meeting of the Board, to be held on the 27th inst. It was decided that the formation work in connection with.(the tramline to the Paritutu quarry -be commenced. —News.