HARBOUR BOARD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 57, 21 October 1911, Page 5

HARBOUR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth Harbour Board was held yesterday, members present being Messrs j. B. Connett, Newton King E. Dockrill, C. E. Bellringer, C. A. Wilkinson, D. J. Hughes, W. Swadling and E. Maxwell. Harbourmaster's Report. Captain Newton, harbourmaster, rcpqrtod that for tho five weeks ending 14th inst., 29 vessels had worked the port inwards and outwards, of tlie aggregate tonnage of 26,476 tons. Tlie total imports amounted to 7124 tons, of which 20S1 to., ’• of coal, 875 tons being for the Railway Department and 1206 tons for private use. The exports for the same period of general produce arid sundries amounted to 875 tons. Superintendent's Report. The superintendent of works, Mr F. lieucEi son, reported for the month : Dredge Paritutu.—Tlie Paritutu dredged with the buckets on 21 days, not time 227 hours, and removed 52 loads, equal to 20,800 tons. Five days of this time were occupied in completing the cut across the end of the wharf towards the breakwater. This has been carried in to within 70ft of the wall, the width being 120 ft and depth 25ft. Two days were occupied in cleaning out the inshore berth prior to removing the beach mooring chain. Tho remaining 17 days were occupied ,at the second cut parallel with the wharf, which was started on September 22, and has since been carried in for a length of 160 ft. at a width of 200 ft from ■ tho face of the new piling and a depth of 25ft. One day was ( occupied in shifting mooring chains and one day in coaling. Four days were lost through rough weather, during which time the quarterly boilerleaning and the repairing of the sheaves of the ladder hoisting blocks were effected. The dredging during tho month had been easier than usual.

Dredge Thomas King.—The Thomas King dredged on 18 days, net tunc 180 hours, and removed 74 loads, equal to 5920 tons. The dredge has been working directly ahead of tho wharf, and the l small average; of work is accounted for by the light and silty nature of the spoil at this spot. Nine days were lost through rough weather, and three nays were occupied in placing mooring blocks from the Paritutu. Wharf Widening.—At the wharf widening the first section, which terminates at pile 14*’ has been completed, arid is now ready for the rails. Pile-driving was resumed at tho second section on September 22, and up to the 14th inst 34 piles had been driven and five sets.of cap walings attached. At the approach to the widening the concrete has been cut down for a depth of eight inches to receive the. two net sets of points, and crossings, and tlie railway staff is now engaged in laying them. Petroleum Coring Rights. • The committee appointed to report on the matter of letting petroleumboring rights over the Board’s reserves, submitted the following report;—“Mr Quilliam, the Board’s solicitor, having reported that it will bo necessary to survey the Board’s property and have plans prepared before granting boring' rights, and Mr Carter having advised property-hold-ers to refrain from granting, boring rights for the present your committee suggest that no further action be taken until Mr Carter’s return.”

On tho motion of Messrs Wilkinson and Swadling, the committee’s report was adopted. A Question of Quality.

On the motion of Mr Wilkinson, seconded by the chairman, it was decided to obtain a report from the works superintendent upon the quality of the dredging material (buckets) manufactured in the Dominion as compared with that imported from Home, and also with regard to all repairing work of this nature carried out in the Dominion. Mr Wilkinson said there had been a good deal of talk in the papers about the alleged inferiority of the colonial article, but he understood that the experience of the Board had been to the contrary.

The chairman said that the dredge buckets made in New Zealand had not stood the tost, though used for only a few weeks in softer material than the other buckets had been subjected to. It was the lip of the bucket that gave, for ut should be constructed of manganese steel, which could not be made in the Dominion. The Home buckets had been found wanting on the sides, but they had been strengthened in the Dominion, and this work had been most satisfactory. General. E. A. Burton, ladderman on the dredge Paritutu, applied for an increase of salary or payment for overtime after eight hours per day.—The Board decided to offer an increase which would bring his wages up to £l6 per month. The action of the chairman in acceding to the Paritutu men’s request for a weekly half-holiday was confirmed. Accounts amounting to £7753 7s were passed for payment.