HARBOUR AT OPUNAKE

Taranaki Daily News, 7 December 1929, Page 14

HARBOUR AT OPUNAKE

IMPROVEMENT OF THE BERTHS.

MEETING OF THE BOARD. The monthly meeting of the Opunake Harbour Board was held yesterday, when there were present; Messrs. T. P. Hughson (chairman), H. Young, C. A. Trotter, R, C. Sinclair, J. A. Pettigrew and J. S. Tosland.

The harbourmaster (Mr. G. Knowles) reported that there had been no shipping at the port since the visit of the Arapawa on October 16. Work was commenced at the smithy on November 22, and a drag was constructed under Mr. Trotter’s supervision and to his design. Pipes were laid for water to the liveton crane and from the air compressor to the wharf. The crane was moved into a position suitable for dragging the eastern berth. Coal was procured, also a new diving dress. R. Looney was engaged for diving operations. On December 2 trial blasting shots were fired on the edge bank near low-water mark. On December 3 the diver made an examination of the sea bed along the eastern side of the wharf. He reported that with the exception of a small area of about two yards near the face of the wharf, between the 160 and 110 feet marks, where there was a deposit of soft mud, there was no change since he had last gone down. A plan was submitted giving detailed description of the sea bottom. The position of all stone near the berth was located and on December 5 power was connected to the air compressor. A boulder measuring 2ft. bin. in diameter was removed after drilling and slinging by the diver, from a position 140 ft. inwards from the end of the wharf and at a distance of 35ft. off the face. The drag was tried and found to work satisfactorily among small stones. Boulders were being re-i moved by means of drilling and slinging and were dragged out by the cranes to clear a channel for operating the drag. Two additional men would be procured at an early date for work as required. The expenditure on the work to. date, exclusive of connecting the electric motors and the current : consumed, totalled £72 2s Hd. The report was adopted.

The works committee recommended that the architect be authorised to accept the tender of Mr. Robinson at £126 for the erection of the additions to the harbourmaster’s residence, subject to the work being commenced immediately after the New Year holidays. It was also recommended that Mr. Fouhy be instructed to write to the Loans Board and open negotiations previous to the application for the loan being made with the object of finding the nature of the evidence, etc., which will be required in connection with the loan. * . The report was adopted. SWEEPING THE HARBOUR. In reply to letters from the board asking that Mr. Fraser, of the Public Works Department, be allowed to assist in making a sweep of the harbour, the secretary of the Marine Department notified that it was considered the sweeping should be carried out by the officials of the board, as the Government could not be expected to accept any responsiblity for a matter which concerned the internal administration of the port. Air. Fraser had, however, been instructed to watch proceedings on behalf of the department, but the board must satisfy itself as to the correctness or otherwise of the work carried out by its officials.

The chairman said Mr. Fraser had informed him that as the result of a conference with a Public Works engineer at Stratford it had been decided to leave the work until January, when conditions would be more favourable. It was understood some other process than dragging' would be used. The chairman stated that as the out-, come of a special meeting a letter had been sent to Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., asking his assistance in procuring a grant for deepening the berthage accommodation. A reply was received from Mr. Wilkinson asking whether the board wished him to make direct representation or support the representations that the board was making. The chairman said he had deferred further action in the matter of application for a grant as he did not know whether it might not jeopardise the chances of the board in its application for permission to raise a further loan of £20,000. On the other hand, the application for a grant might help the application for a loan. It was resolved to make application to the Minister of Marine through Mr. Wilkinson. for a grant of £2OO. Members stated that as, far as could be ascertained there was no silting taking place.

THE £20,000 LOAN.

A committee consisting of the chairman and Messrs. Sinclair and Tosland was set up to prepare the application to the Loans Board in connection with the proposed £20,000 loan and submit it for approval at the next meeting of the board.

Mr. Tosland suggested that before forwarding the application a survey be made with a view to definitely ascertaining the amount of stone that was available. It would be definitely put before the Loans Board that the required stone was not there and the board must be prepared with facts to refute that statement.

The chairman said they had the estimates of their engineer. Mr. Tosland warned the board that facts would be required if the board wished to secure the consent of the Loans Board. He could assure them that they would meet tfith plenty of opposition, and they’ must anticipate the objectors. It was resolved that Mr. Vickerman be asked to arrange for a survey of the stone. Invitations were received from the Mayor of New Plymouth inviting the chairman to be present at the reception to Viscount Craigavon and at the presentation of a bell to the ship Taranaki on Monday afternoon.