PATEA NEWS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 288, 6 December 1939, Page 2

PATEA NEWS

HARBOUR PROBLEMS (Own Correspondent) PATEA, Dec. 5. A very serious erosion behind the guide pier at the port was reported by the harbourmaster, Capt. Barnes, at yesterday’s meeting of the Patea Harbour Board. He said that a con-crete-slab wall was being erected to withstand the encroachment along part of the area, but something would have to be done with the remainder. Weather during November was fairly favourable for shipping, reported Capt. Barnes. There were 20 arrivals and 20 departures, only two ships operating until the 19th. The bar and entrance were sounded on the 28th. and except in the vicinity of the fault in the eastern wall, good soundings were obtained. Dredge Wallace operated at the wharf and viaduct and between the walls and was also employed pulling sheath piling and piles at the dumping wharf. The conditions at the walls remained the same as last ; month. The contractor had approxi- ' mately 130 yards of shingle at the , dump and the gear was ready to go ahead with the job. The signal station was in good order. “On September 7 last we communicated with the district traffic manager, New Zealand Railways, Wanganui, regarding better lighting at the Patea wharf, ad\Ved the secretary, New Zealand Merchant Service Guild. “This was the outcome of complaints received from our members trading frequently to your port, and on advice received from the Railways Department, we have been advised to communicate with the Harbour Board at Patea as the wharves come under your jurisdiction. The complaint in question is that the lighting facilities lat the Patea wharf are very poor, ' sometimes the wharf being littered up with girders, timber and benzine, and old piles, which makes it very dangerous when there is insufficient [lighting to see these obstructions. We [would therefore appreciate it if this matter could be placed before the I board.” i The matter was left to the harbourmaster, Mr. Parsons expressing disapproval of the complaint being taken ito the guild instead of first to the i board. I Those present at the meeting were |Messrs. A. Pearce (chairman), W. ■Back, G. Meuli, H. Clapham, F. Parisons, W. H. Watkins, and the secrej tary (Mr. E. O. Horner) and harbourmaster (Capt. W. E. Barnes). PORT OF PATEA , Imports for October, 1939, totalled ■l7l tons (323) and exports 2536 tons I (1531), with approximate value of exI ports, £154,380 (£86,980). I For November, 1939, imports were j 367 tons (440), exports 3235 tons i (2702), approximate value of exports £192,240 (£154,800). Figures in parentheses for previous year. R.S.A. SCHOLARSHIP | John Davidson, of the Patea Con- | vent School, won the R.S.A. Scholari ship, the examination for which was I held recently with seven candidates, i The scholarship is tenable for one I year at any secondary school.