WANGANUI HARBOUR BOARD.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 13 April 1912, Page 2

WANGANUI HARBOUR BOARD.

Tha monthly meeting was held last evening. Present: Messrs J. B. Murray (chairman), C. Paterson, W. J. Polson, W. G. Bassett. A. G. Bignell, W. Ritchie. N. Meuli, J. Jones, J. T. Hogan, C. E. Mackay,and T. B. Williams.

Finance. —General account, dr. £709 9s 4d; fixed deposits, cr. £5000. Accounts amounting ao £415 0s lOd were passed for payment.

Foreshore.—Only one tender —Mr H. Shaw, £5 10s. —was received for the rental of the foreshore between Ludlam's and the soap works, 17 acres.— Accepted.

London Park. —Messrs Marshall and Hutton advised "that London Park being part of the Board's endowments, the Board has only those powers conferred on it by the Harbours Act with respect to its endowments. There is no statutory power of sale or absolute alienation, and consequently, tho Board cannot part with the reserve to the Castlecliff Town Board in the manner suggested by that Board. Of course, in an appropriate case this difficulty could be overcome by legislation, butwhere the Harbour Board has pledged its assets we do not think Parliament would legislate to take away'the debenture holders' security."—Referred to the Works Committee to inquire df tho Board can lease part

Balance Sheet.—The balance sheet, duly audited, was received back from the Audit Department.—The balance sheet, nlso the chairman's report, was adopted.

Works Commitee.—The works recommende, inter alia, in regard to Morgan and Carson Street extensions that, tho Castlecliff Railway Company and the Town Board be informed that the Board could not see its way clear to grant either of the requests, but that tho Board would allow tho applicants to take clay and gravel for the formation of the streets; that the engineer ba instructed to report on the nso of the Board's line at Castlecliff; that all unlet sections on Taupo Quay be advertised for lease.—Adopted. .Durio Hill Flagstaff.—The secretary of tho Wanganui Charmber of Commerce forwarded the following resolution passed at the last meeting of his <Jhamber: "That the "secretary write to tho Harbour Board stating that the flagstaff on Durie Hill of great convenience to tlie waterside workers and the business people of the town, and respectfully UTge the Board to give its instructions for the regular use of the flagstaff as formerly." The secretary of the Waterside Workers' Union also wrote in regard to the flagstaff, statins that many members of the Union would be glad to avail themselves of a. day's casual work if they knew that the boats expected would not be in. A communication on the subject was also received from Messrs D. R. Walker and Co., bringing under the Board's notice the inconvenience caused through the fliscontinuance of the signal station.—Referred to the Works Committee to confer with the Borough Council regarding the house, which belongs to the Council, and which is now uninhabitable. Flagpole.—The Durie Hill School Committee applied +-o the Board for a flagpole for the school, and suggesting that the Board make it a present of the flagpole used until recently at the signal station. This pole, they stated, was now being made a plaything of by tho boys from the town.—Referred to the Works Committee.

Lease of Section.—Mr L. J. Siglov applied for lease of one of the Board'o sections facing T.uipo Quay.—The secretary was instructed to advertise the sections at once.

New Dredge. — M. E. Roberts, M.1.M.E., wrote offering to prepare plans for a new dredge for the Board. —The Mter was received,and is to bo acknowledged. «

Pilot's Keport.—The Pilot, Capfc. Mclntyre.rerjorted for the month ending March 31st as follow*: —T obtained soundings on the bar twine during the month of March, on the 26th and 29th. On the former date the sea was lumpy, and soundincs taken were approximate only, therefore they could not make any alrerations in the figures from previous soundings. Tho soundings made on the 2Dth were taken under favourablo conditions, and giving a denth of 21ft. 6in. at h.w/s.t., and 18ft. at h.w. reaps. With all the rough weather experienced the channel over the bar ia now in a better condition thrm ever it was, and giving a depth of not less Uian 12ft. f>!n. at l.w.s.t. The approach to Castlecliff wharf and berthage is in tho same satisfactory state as reported las; month, with arrmle room for vessels berthincr .and departing. Them is no alteration in the ri^er channel since my previous renort. The arrival and denatures showed that 160 vcsbgls cro^ofl tho bar. giving a tonnare of 18,350 tons gross. Two ocean liners, tho Somerset and Tndrapura. were in the roadstead, making a tonnage of 22,500 errors. ENGINEER'S REPORT.

The engineer's report was as follows: The Quarry.—The outnnt for the month was 2145 tons, which is well up to tho average. The decrease- in the output from last month is owing to the extra amount of refuse on the face. Tho plant is in good working order. Tho Moles. —The work.of raising the moles to a level of high water has boon continued, and during the month thero were 60 tons deposited on tho North Mole and 1145 tons on tho South Mole. There remains a length of 440 feet on the South Mole and 300 feet on tho North Mole to be raised.

Internal Training Wall. —An additional length of 200 feet has been added to this work, making the total length 1000 foot. It will require probably two or three punts' loads to completely finish tho work, when the work of finishing the north and south training walls will be put in hand.

Tho Bar and Channel. —The Bar was sounded on the 29th of the month, the only suitable occasion, owing to rough weather, and a depth of 21ft. 6ins. obtained at average high water springs. This is a gain of 6in. on any previous sounding, which proves that the making un of the moles to high water has the effect of concentrating the ebb on tho lino of tho bar. The channel Tein.iins the same as reported last month, the minimum depth at liigh w.iier being ]3ffc. 9in. Nt a point opposite the South Mole wharf.

Wharf Repairs.—This work, authorised last meeting, has been completed. It consisted of the removal of the old planking between the shed and wharf, which has been replaced by clay and gravel, making the work permanent. J would now recommend that the sft. space between the wharf and tho shed bo -asphalted at a cost- o/ about £25.

Fencing.—The reserve near the soap works has been fenced as instructed.

Tho Dredge.—Good progress ia being made with th* general overhaul. Tho following work has been completed:—

Overhaul of main engine; air pump repaired ; winch engine, valves, gear a-nd pistons all put in good working order: ladder straightened and strengthened with new diaeronal bracing top and bottom. Tho following work is in band : Bushing buckets, and links and fitting to ladder; screen to be finished and fitted ; new tumbler to be fitted.