NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR

Taranaki Daily News, 17 February 1933, Page 3

NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR

MONTHLY BOARD MEETING HELD.

PORT ACTIVITY DURING JANUARY.

The monthly* meeting of the New Plymouth Harbour Board was held yesterday. Those present were Messrs. C. E. Bellringer (chairman), J. R. Cruickshank, D. J. Malone, H. C. .Taylor, C. H. Burgess, J. H. H. Holm, W. T. Wells and A. J. Campbell. The harbour master, Captain D. F. McIntyre, reported that during January 25 vessels entered the port, compared with 23 in January, 1932. The aggregate .tonnage was 76,116, tons, against 64.268 tons last year, an increase of 11.348 tons. Imports decreased bv 231 tons from 4405 tons to 4174 tons, but exports rose from 6762 tons to 8468 tons,- an increase of 1706 tons. The increase in the total cargo handled was 1475 tons from 11,167 tons to 12,642 tons. Government cargo landed totalled 858 tons, an increase of 139 tons - from the amount of 719 tons landed in January 1932. ' Seven overseas vessels visited the port during the month, in comparison with six in January -1932. They were: Northumberland (11,555 tons), draught 23ft Oin; Taranaki (8285 tons), draught 25ft 9in; Port Carloline (8263 tons), draught 23ft 9ih; Pakeha (7899 tons), draught 23ft din; Tamaroa (12,354 tons), draught 26ft 7in; Port Welington (7868 tons), draught 23ft lOin; Surrey (8564 ' tons), draught 22ft Tin. ‘Although there were no arrivals or departures for the first six days the month showed an increase of 7579 net tons over January, 1932. ' . / The foreman, Mr. J. E. Hawes, re-,< ported that the. dredge Paritutu arrived from Wellington on Friday evening, February 3. All necessary gear was shipped on Saturday and dredging was commenced on the morning of February 6 on the outer end of the sandbank, working this end of the bank when the weather was suitable and the inner portion of the sandbank when the sea was too rough for work on the outer bank. On February-. 7 dredging was stopped for. 1 hour 5m to allow the diver to. clearsome old rope from the hopper doors, which' prevented the doors from closing tightly. At mid-day on February 10 the sea became too rough to allow the dredge to discharge without grave risk of carry-, j tag away the doors. Dredging was discontinued and not resumed until Feb-: ruary 13. when the sea became moderate. The following spoil was taken to sea for the week ending February 11: From outer end of sandbank off the end of breakwater, 4800 tons; from inner end' ; of sandbank, 720 tons; total, 12,000. The best day’s output, which was on Feb- ■. ruary 9. was eight loads, equalling 3200 ' tons. The foreman .thought it would be advisable to* work more than the ordinary 8 hours per day when dredging, on' the outer sandbank, as there would .be a great deal of time lost on that portion of the sandbank owing to- swell. . \ Bracing, -walings, chafing pieces and sheathing were attended to on Newton King wharf. On Moturoa wharf loading . - boards were renewed, using the better class of timber from ■ the dismantled gravel bin. A fair amount of decking on the wharf was renewed. During the period one coastal and four overseas vessels made use of the crane for handling cargo at the Newton King wharf, working 129 hours, exclusive of standing or travelling time. The crane had . part of the hand-rail renewed; • Attention was given to shipping in re- / gard to lights, water and telephones. . Ironwork was made for wharves, and tools for maintenance work. The gravel bin was dismantled, the concrete mixer housed in. second-hand material from the gravel bin and other parts of the works being used for the job. All the plant in use or likely to be used was being maintained and kept in order. Attention was given to roads around the port, drains and other matters. Forty-two -tons of coal for the dredge was received and ; stored In the bins. Ships’ dunnage was discharged and explosives delivered. ■ The board decided to authorise the working of on the ' dredge Paritutu when the weather was suitable.. to allow of the required work on the sandbank, which could be done only in fine weather, being completed within the specified time of operating the dredge. The board on the recommendation of the works and finance committee decided to have repairs done to spare gear, and authorised the purchase of water pipes and necessary stores. ; /