BUSY MONTH AT THE PORT

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1931, Page 5

BUSY MONTH AT THE PORT

MORE OVERSEAS SHIPPING DREDGING OF THE FAIRWAY. MONTHLY MEETING OF BOARD. The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth Harbour Board was held yesterday, when there were present: Messrs. C. E. Bellringer (chairman), E. Maxwell, J. R. Cruickshank, D, J. Malone, W. T. Wells and C. H. Burgess. The harbourmaster, Captain O. F. McIntyre, reported that during December 27 vessel of an aggregate tonnage of 65,504 tons had entered the port. Imports totalled 6168 tons, a decrease of 2915 tons as compared with the previous December. Exports had totalled 6529 tons, an increase of 1405 tons as compared with the previous December. Government cargo totalled 1165 tons. Six overseas vessels and one intercolonial had entered the port, as compared with five last December. They were: Port Hunter, 8637 tons, draught 20ft. sin; Tongariro 8729 tons, draught 21ft 6in; Karamea, 8281 tons, draught 22ft. 9in; Turakina 8565 tons, draught 19ft; Port Huon 8031 tons, draught 19ft 9in; Waikawa 5677 tons, draught 14ft 6in; Intercolonial, Kurow, 2580 tons. Thj weather was good throughout the month with smooth seas. Soundings were taken on December 12 and 19, the fairway maintaining a depth of 24Jft at low water. In a supplementary report the harbourmaster stated that during December the gross tonnage had been 65,504 tons, an increase of 4771 tons over the previous December, the net tonnage being 38,834 tons, an increase of 3826 tons over the previous December. For the three months ending December 31, 1930, the total gross tonnage was 202,871 tons, as compared with 186,087 tons for the same three months of the previous year, an increase of 16,184 tons. The net tonnage for the same period was 118,538, as compared with 107,498 for the corresponding period, of the previous year, au increase or 11,040 tons. The chairman said that the report was a very satisfactory one and very encouraging. This month had also opened well. The for the three months showed an increase of £450, but of course three months was only a short period and' it was not possible to estimate the year’s results on those figures ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer (Mr. G. W. B. Lowson) reported as follows for the period from December 8 to January 10:— With the exception of a few employees retained for special wharf duty, etc.,dredging and other works were closed down over the Christmas-New Year period. Otherwise bucket dredging proceeded uninterrupted throughout the period, the Paritutu being transferred to the western side of the Newton King wharf during last week’s unseasonable weather,' completing the cleaning out of the berths to 33ft. below low water. Otherwise the dredger concentrated exclusively on the first fairway deepening cut, advancing it to a total distance of 820 feet ’ eyond the end of the Newton King wharf at a depth of 30 feet below low water through generally easily dredgeable country. The Paritutu’s returns show the following spoil to have been taken to sea: Bucket dragging: Fairway 110 ft. to 220 ft. west, 13,300 tons; Newton King westr ern berths, 3300 tons; total, 16,600 tons, The electric crane on the Newton King wharf was' in attendance on shipping for 126 hours, being utilised by five overseas vessels. The diver and crew were engaged almost constantly on the inspection of wharf piles below water level, no less than 661 piles being thoroughly; examined from ground level upwards. The dwelling house to the west of Pioneer Road has been repaired and largely renovated internally, and is now ready for occupancy. Further work was also carried out to the roofs of the Moturoa wharf sheds and minor repairs effected to windscreen No. 2. Newton King wharf maintenance consisted mainly in overhauling sheathing below low water and under chafing pieces, but a very considerable amount of such work was done. The Moturoa wharf received similar attention but to a much lesser' extent, several chafing .pieces also being renewed, decking repaired at odd places and loading boards altered to suit shippings Replying to the chairman l the engineer stated that the dredging at the berths had been completed and satisfactory progress was being made with the dredging of the fairway. The chairman said that the report regarding the dredging was very satisfactory. The tender of Bendall and Company was accepted for the supply of coal for the. year.