NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR

Taranaki Daily News, 20 January 1933, Page 2

NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR

OFFICERS’ MONTHLY REFORTS. DECREASE IN DECEMBER TRADE. 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, H. C. Taylor, C. H. Burgess, J. H. H. Holm, W. T. Wells and J. L. Campbell. The harbourmaster (Captain O. F. McIntyre) reported that during December, 22 vessels of an aggregate 6f 52,046 tons entered the port, imports totalled 8,027 and exports 4,531 tons, the total being 12,558 tons. Government coal landed totalled 1331 tons.

Four Overseas vessels had visited the port—Mahana, 8740 tons, 23ft 9in. draught; Otaio, 10,04$ tons, 22ft sin draught; Pqrt Hunter, 8284 tons, 21ft 9in; Ruahine, .10,839 tens, 24ft 2in. The weather had- been fine throughout the month with smooth, to moderate seas. Soundings along the sand bank showed ve?y little change in the contour.

The. chairman said the retains, for December showed a decrease in comparison, with those for the previous December, when 23 vessels including .eight overseas vessels Of an aggregate- tonnage \oL. 69,348 tons visited the port Imports jhad totalled 13,873 tons and exports 5065 tons, a total of 18,938 tons. Government cargo laden had totalled 723 tons. There Was therefore a decrease Of 6380 tons of cargo and an increase Of 608 tons of Government coat

The overseer in fiharge (Mr. J. E. Hawes) reported on the work from December 13 to January 17 as follows: On Newton King wharf walings, chafing pieces’ and sheathing were repaired. A small rope shed was built from Material in stock. On Motaroa wharf tidal bracing, waling and sheathing were repaired. A fair amount of decking was renewed, the outer Windscreen dismantled and removed, the signal station removed and flag-staff re-erected at the end of the shed. Four coastal and four Overseas vessels made use of the crane, for handling cargo at Newton King wharf, working 109 hours exclusive of standing or travelling time. In addition to attending to ships’ lights, water service and telephones, the workshops staff had moved the morse signal lamp and attachment from the condemned windscreen and re-erected it on the end of the shed. -An extension pipe and a fitting were made in readiness for relaying the water . main under Newton King wharf. Owing to there being no exceptionally heavy seas since the apron was last repaired, no work had been done on the breakwater, Which was in good order. The light stand on the end of the wall was being chipped, cleaned and painted. The pilot launch was taken from the water, cleaned, painted and overhauled. All rolling stock in connectiori with the block, yard plant was being attended to. A commencement had been made with the< dismantling of the gravel bin..