HARBOUR BOARD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143770, 19 April 1912, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The monthly meeting of the Now Plymouth Harbour Board was held today. There were present: Messrs. J. B. Connett (in the chair), E. Maxwell, E. Dockrill, W. Swadling, D. Hughes, N. King, 0. A. Wilkinson, and C. E. Bellringer. SHIPPING AT THE POET. Captain Holford, harbour master, reported that for the five weeks ending Saturday, X3th inst., 37 vessels, of the aggregate tonnage of 36,063 tons, had worked the port inwards and outwards. The total imports for the period were 7079 tons of general merchandise, of which 1997 tons were coal, all for private use. The exports were produce and sundries amounting to 1276 tons. The total imports and exports were 8355 tons. HARBOUR WORKS.

Mr. F. Henderson, superintendent of works, reported as follows: • Dredge Paritntu. The Pantutu dredged in the fairway on 17 days net time 164 hours, and removed 46 loads, equal to 18,400 tong. Work was suspended for three days for the Easter holidavs; two days were lost through a heavy south-east gale, during which time 16 of the buckets were changed ; a half day was occupied in coaling, and one and a half days in shifting moorings. The cut has been carried outwards a further length of 270 ft., making a total length of 700 ft. from the end of the wharf. The spoil is now practically all sand and quite suitable for pumping, but the alterations to the sand delivery pipes are not yet completed. Preparations are being made for commencing a second cut to the eastward. _ Dredge Thomas King.—The Thomas King has been on the gridiron for a fortnight for cleaning, painting, and inspection of hull. The hopper has been patched in several places, mid one plate has been renewed. Dredging was resumed on the 3rd ingt., and for six days’ dredging 52 loads, equal to 4160 tons, have been removed. Wharf-widening.—At the wharf-wid-ening 27 piles have been driven, leaving one bay of 3 piles yet to driveThe cap walings are all fitted; deck beams are finished up to pile 421; chafing pieces to pile 36; and the decking is laid to pile 33. Another month should see the whole of the widening completed. _ ~ Breakwater. Nine concrete blocks have been placed at the outer end of the breakwater, and gravel and stone are now being procured for _ rqakmg the 20 additional blocks authorised.

GENERAL. Captain Holford interviewed the board with reference to a proposed permanent parapet along the breakwater as far as the end of the wharf, for the protection of large vessels from westerly winds when lying alongside the wharf. It w*s decided to instruct the superintendent of works to prepare a report and estimate of the cost or a reinforced concrete parapet 10ft. high, as suggested by the harbour master.