HARBOUR BOARD.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXI, Issue 12062, 5 January 1907, Page 5

HARBOUR BOARD.

The first monthly meeting of the Harbour Board for 1907 was held last evening. Present — Messrs J. B. Murray (chairman), T. B. Williams, W. E. Morgan, W. Ritchie, D. Mason, W. G. Basaett, A. Higgie, MINUTES.— Th© minutes of th© previous meeting were read and confirmed. NEW MEMBER.— The new chairman oj the Wanganui County Council (Mr D. Mason) was welcomed to the Board's table by the chairman, who remarked that the coming year would see many questions of importance arising, which might -mean th* making or marring of the port. BANK BOOK.— The bank book showed a balance to credit of .£567 19s. , ' ACCOUNTS.— Accounts to the amount of .£5Ol 15s Id were passed ,for payment. WHARF ACCOMMODATION.— The,, chairman reported waiting^on th© Premier" when in Wanganui re increase of shed accommodation, and that the Government had given a promise that if, the shed were nut enlarged this year, it would be. next. . That was not very satisfactory, fcut it was the best that could be donej HARBOURS' ASSOCIATION-A copy of the Harbours' Association's report and balance sheet was received from the secretary: — A letter from the same was read notifying that the new executive had not yet been appointed, and asking whether the Board was of opinion there should be another Conference, or whether the present executive should continue to hold office. — Resolved to recommend that the executive continue in office. rOREMAN'S REPORT.— The foreman reported that fair progress had been made with the South Spit wall. The fascine work had been extended 160 feet, making a total of 1080 feet completed. 81 punts, containing 1701 yards of shingle from the dredge were deposited on the "fascines during the month, and 846 bundles of fascines had been delivered. The fascine work had been stopped for a while, and the sheeting was being got on to scour ' out the bank ahead. The waitings 'were gftt ' on for a length of 600 feet, and 320 feet of totara sheeting was' in position. The tug wan being overhauled* , while the dredge was not working. ' . DREDGE. — The dred,gemaster reported that the flats were now cut through, and the dredge had been brought to tn'e town wharf for necessary repairs. During ths month the dredge had advanced up stream ' for 400 feet on a 60-feet cut, dredging to a depth of 10 feet at low water. The approximate amount of spoil lifted during .the month was 20,160 yards. On sounding the channel on December 31st, he found the dredged channel was maintaining its) depth, the lowest sounding being lift 3 ins. at high water. The machinery was now overhauled and the dredge was ready to resume work. HARBOURMASTER'S REPORT.— The harbourmaster reported that the channel over the bar was in the same position as last month, bearing by compass from the flagstaff S. by W. i W. with a depth of lift 6ins at high water springs and Bft 6 ins. at high water neaps. The lower reach and entrance are fairly good, and the upper flats had not altered. 123 vessels crossed the bar during the month, 40 in the night. During the month three vessels had been detained in port through stress of weather, and two through stick in? on the upper flats. Three large vessels had loaded , in the roadstead during the month.. - The, front of i -the Heads wharf had silted up - -considerably; And several mooring and fender piles had been knocked about through vessels 'lying at the wharf, discharging/ in rough weather. There, was also a subsidence of the stone facing above the wharf, and he advised the fore- - man inspect it' and Bee what was required. — Resolved that the foreman inspect ths . damage at the Head's wharf and see what is necessary to be done.