WORK DONE AT THE PORT

Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1930, Page 7

WORK DONE AT THE PORT

MEETING OF THE HARBOUR BOARD

The New Plymouth Harbour Board reviewed the work done at the port last mqnth at its meeting yesterday. Present: Messrs. C- E. Bellringer (chairman), E. Maxwell, J. R. Cruickshank, H. C. Taylor, D. J. Malone, J. H. H. Holm and W. T. Wells.

The harbourmaster (Captain W. Waller) reported that during June 32 vessels of an aggregate tonnage of 52,292 tons entered the port. The imports aggregated 9492 tons and the exports 4581 tons, a total of 14,073 tons. A total of 957 tons of Government coal was landed.

The following statistics were given regarding overseas ships during June: Hororata (11,243 tons), landed 1535 tons, shipped 1266 tone, total 2801 toys, draught 22ft.; Mahana (8740 tons), shipped 1400 tons, draught 23ft. 9in.; Golden Cloud (5613 tons), landed 650 tons, shipped 47 tons, total .697 tons, draught 15ft.; Westmoreland (8986 tons), shipped 1285 tons, draught 22ft. The engineer (Mr. G. W. B. Lowson) reported for the month as follows: The Paritutu commenced re-dredging the eastern berths of the Newton King wharf on May 16, working the cut 100 feet wide and bringing it from 60 feet ahead of the wharf to 792 feet inside the end of the wharf, the following spoil bein<r taken to sea in the process: Bucket dredging, Newton King, 0-100’ east, 20,700 tons. Four overseas vessels utilised the electric crane on the Newton King wharf for a total of 92J hours. The main wall to Mikotahi had been built up with quarried stone from Fishing Rock, and the railway track thereon was re-laid. Slight further facing was still advisable.

A survey was in progress with a view to laying off a comprehensive reading scheme for the board’s extensive reserves adjacent to the port and Paritutu.

The Hongihongi lagoon was sounded, levels taken over the immediate vicinity, and the necessary plan prepared in connection with the proposed reclamation of the lagoon and the suggested formation of a through road above it. At the Moturoa wharf overhaul of the overseas berth was continued back to the junction with previously repaired work, five new piles being driven and two piers capped. Stringers were renewed where necessary and the whole section, as well as adjacent portions towards the centre of the wharf, re-deck-ed. Twelve trusses had been built for the re-erection of the first windscreen on the Moturoa wharf. On the Newton King wharf tendering and sheathing had latterly received attention. The overhaul of dredging gear and the maintenance of the different wharf services accounted for a large portion of the workshop's time. Ships’ clusters, for example, were being re-wired to suit the latest regulations. The board decided that on account of the heavy cost it could not proceed at present with the draining of the Hongihongi lagoon. The meeting lasted three hours. Approximately twfr and a-quarter hours were passed in committee.