OTAGO HARBOR BOARD

Evening Star, Issue 17697, 25 June 1921, Page 3

OTAGO HARBOR BOARD

The meeting last night was attended by Mr T. Scollay (chairman), Mr 11.- C. Campbell (deputy-chairman), Messrs A. Cable, J. M. Dickson, M.P., N. Galbraith, D. Lamach, J. London, J. M'Donald, H. E. Holler, K. S. Ramsay, T. H. Russell, J. H. Walker, f W. Wilkinson, J. A. Roberts. WORKS. The Works Committee reported having elected Mr Holler, chairman. With respect to the city engineer’s communication as to Wharf street paving, tire committee recommended that the council’s attention be drawn to the agreement with the board relative to the construction of streets, which shewed that so far as Wharf street as a whole (between Rattray and Birch streets) is concerned the board has no liability, and that, with respect to the suggested footwalk the board docs not propose to make any provision for that The committee recommended the board to affirm the principle as to the standardisation of materials, etc., embodied in the communication from the British Engineers' Standards Association. With respect to the communications from the Perpetual Trustees Company, advising an increase in the rental of the Kaik quarry from £lO to £35 per annum as from Ist January last, the committee recommended that the price be agreed to for a further term of three years from that date. As to the engineer's proposal to postpone the widening of the channel at Deborah Bay to 500 ft, the committee recommended that the same bo approved, the board’s resolution of June 27. 1919, relative thereto to be hold in abeyance. The committee recommended for approval the suggestion - of the harbor master that the beacons at Deborah Bay be removed to the 500 ft line. The committee reported having offered to certain companies two boilers, thirty-five tons of pumice, and 4,COOft of lin piping from the freezing works plant. It was resolved to give both quotations subject to ratification by the board, but with respect to the pumice and the piping the committee Was compelled to make a firm offer unless it forfeited any chance of sale. The committee recommended that the installation of distinctive indicators on the channel buoys, as proposed by the harbor master be approved. In connection with the widening of Rattray street wharf, and the consequent removal of Q shed, the engineer having stated that the condition of the P and Q sheds is particularly unsatisfactory for the purposes of removal, unless at n large cost, the committee recommended that in the meantime Q shed lie demolished, P shed to be left intact meantime, and that at a later period the engineer submit alternative estimates for the erection of, say, a 200 ft by 40ft shed of iron and concrete.

Mr Moller moved the adoption of the report. The hoard had already paid it* share of the Wharf street expense, and did not intend to pay any more. The principle of the standard : sation of material? was already a farmed. As to the quarry at the Kalk, there was no other that the board could pet, and it was required for the mole. The recommendation as to widening the channel was assented to by the harbor master, who said ho would he satisfied with 300 ft. at Deborah Bay in the meantime. As to the buoys, it was proposed to put a distinctive mark on the red ones. The Q shed would cost £I.OOO to fix up, and then it would bo a patch. Mr Roberts asked whether it was true that the tug Dunedin was slow at manoeuvring when alongside a vessel. The Chairman replied that that had been discussed; and when the information was obtained it would be supplied to members. In regard to the now boiler, it was working very satisfactorily. Mr Roberta said he would like the barbar master to report to the Works Committee as to the tug's mano-uvring nbilitw The Chairman remarked that that would be done. Mr Campbell asked what it was intended to do about dredging. ; Mr Moller; We are waiting to hear what the Finance Committee has to say. We have plenty of dredging to do if there is the money. Mr Campbell asked whether the Finance Committee would report at next meeting. Mr Walker: The Works Committee should be asked through the engineer to report, and then, we should see what money is available. Mr Campbell: If you will move that 1 will second it;

Mr Walker moved accordingly, Mr Russell declared that a lot of the matters reported on by the committee were out of order, pot having been before the board, whilst others, such as the Peninsula ferry sen-ice and the plant for repair, which had oeen before the board, were not mentioned in the report. Mr M'Donald held that Mr Russell was quite right, and he went on to say that he thought it a mistake to interfere with dredging that was necessary. It appeared to him to be the intention of some persons to cut down expenditure on works as much as possible. He hoped that if the board had the money it would be spent on necessary works. ' As to the tug, it was well known that she was not suitable for this harbor. A Member; Nonsense. Mr M'Donald added that she was built as a deep water tug, not to handle vessels in a harbor like that of Otago. The report was adopted, with the addition that the Works Committee get a report on dredging, with a statement as to the cost. FINANCE. The Finance Committee reported that Mr Loudon had been elected chairman. With respect to the communications from the Cham tier of Commerce and H. L, Tapley and Co. relative to the extra, charge of Is per ton when a ship works overtime, the committee recommended that the charge be adhered to. As to the requests of Nfrnmo and Blair and others for a reduction of the export dues on oats, the committee recommended that the charge as fixed by the by-law be adhered to in tho meantime, the question to bo reviewed in six months from. date. As to the communications from ’ Komptbornc, Prosser, and Co. ro dues on fertilisers, and from the Dunedin Iron and Steel Company ro dues on steel billets and blooms, tho committee recommended that the charge be adhered_ to. As to the communication from Briscoe and Co. ro dues on tiles, the committee recommended that outward local tiles bo calculated on tho basis of 700 to tho ton. Respecting the application of tho dock staff for the payment of V'onns, tho committee reported that tho application ,could not be granted. As to other applications for increases, tho committee reported that they would be considered at the annua! A view in February next. As to the application of the boatswain for consideration on account of performing piermaster’s duties temporarily, it was recommended that a bonus of £lO bo granted. With respect to the application of H. L. Tapley ani Co., tho board’s contractors, for an increase of 2d per ton consequent upon the bonus granted to the waterside workers, the committee recommended that an increase of l£d per ton be granted. The committee reported that it approved ,of the decision of the Works Committee in regard to Wharf street paving. Respecting the communication from the Union Company asking as to the charges for mooring coal hulks at the Dunedin wharves, it was recommended that the charge b© 30s per month or part of a month for each hulk moored. As to the request of the Vacuum Oil Company for the remission of dues ou replacement of 30,000 cases of petrol, which it was proposed to return to the consignors, the committee recommended that the request be declined.

Mr Loudon, in moving the adoption of the report, said that though ho, as an individual, did not agree with the duos overtime charge when it was imposed, ha did not think the shipping companies had anything to complain about. Taking two typical steamers, one that earned 21,000 tons paid a total contribution to the board of £6OO, and the other, carrying 14,000 tons, paid £l9O. As to the export dues on oats, the 'Evening Star’ said that the charges 'at the Bluff and at Dunedin on oats railed from Balclutha were all in favor of the Bluff, That statement was not correct. Such charges were in favor

of Dunedin. It must, however, be rememberer! that the Otago Harbor had cost a great deal of money, with its seventeen miles of waterway, and it was -inevitable that the charges must bo greater than in a port that had deep water up to its town. Another difficulty here was that, we had not adequate railway connection with the port wharves. Until such connection was established, and a free store provided, the grain from the country could nob be handled in Dunedin as it should he. The committee believed that the charge on oats should bo retained in the meantime. Last year, nut of £60,000 received in dues, oats contributed only £570, so that it was not a great matter. If, hereafter, the export dues could bo reduced, the reduction should be on the natural products. A rating! area, was the only solution of our trouble. With such a system, concessions could be made to encourage budding industries or national products.' Hr _ Ramsay suggested that a. special committee be sot up, including men outside the hoard, to go into the whole question of dues. TTo was supplied with a set of figures according to which Hr Loudon's comparison between Bluff-Balclutha and Duuedin-Ba.lclutha was ail wrong. Mr Loudon challenged the figures that Mr Ramsay produced, and added to his previous statement that the rail and port charges on ton sacks of oats came to 16s 4d to the Bluff and IBs to Dunedin.

Hr Ramsay wont to to argue that the hoard should differentiate, as the railways did, on such goods as beer and cement. Hr Ca .mphell said that under equal conditions the cost of shipping oats at (ho Bluff would bo 4s. ai Oamaru 4s 3d, at Dunedin 4s 4d. and at Timaru 4s Bd. report was adopted. OTHER REPORTS. The Reserves Committee reported that Hr Galbraith had bean appointed chairman. The Dock Committee reported having elected Hr Dickson chairman. The following abstract of revenue and expenditure was recommended for adoption:—Revenue for Hay, 1921. £625, as against £473 in the previous Hav; revenue for JanuaryHay. 1921, £4,C10, ns against £3.845 in the previous Hay. Expenditure for Hay, 1921. £965, as against £938: expenditure for Jannary-Alay, 1921, £4,626, as against £4,602. —Adopted. UNEMPLOYMENT. The Otago Labor Council wrote asking tbe board’s support i:r the relief of unemployment in Dunedin. Tho Chairman said (ho board’s engineer was endeavoring to keep his men employed to prevent unemployment becoming more acute.

Air Cable: Is there no room for any more? Tho Chairman: Not at present. Continuing, the chairman said it was the intention of the Expansion League to wait on tho Minister in regard to the straightening of Black Jack’s wall. Mr Wilkinson said the schema mentioned by the chairman would give employment to able-bodied men. There was a greater number of men out of work, however, who were, not capable of such manual work. Air Walker moved that tho letter be received and the. hoard give favorable consideration to the matter. The motion was carried. The Chairman (Air Scollay), deputychairman (Air Campbell), Alessrs Galbraith, and Alollcr were appointed to represent the board in tho deputation to tho Alinister. PORT CHALMERS DOCK. Air Dickon moved—“ That the payment of the sum payable by tho corporation of Port Chalmers in respect of the year ended December 31. 1920, in terms of the deed dated July 17, 1905. made hot ween Ihn said corporation of the one part and the Otago Dock Trust of tho other part, Ire not demanded.” Air Cable seconded the motion. Air Wilkinson pointed out that the hoard had had to pay lo the credit of the dock account during tiro period of 19111920 (inclusive) to ina.to up for deficits £22,500. The Union 5.13. Company, under its agreement, contributed during tho same period the sum of £8,875. The Port Chalmers Borough Council (liable for £SOO per annum) contributed during tho same period £1,918 Is 4d. The hank overdraft (which the board won. d be required to pav) was £6.000, making a total' of £28.500. Air Wilkinson pointed out the advantages Port Chalmers had gained from the establishment of tho dock. During 1920 twenty-nine vessels had been docked, with dues at £1,123, bv the Union Com-

panv. Eleven vessels had been short - docked at £275, making a total of £1,338. Under tho new by-law, if there was no agreement in existence, the charge for the twenty-nine vessels would bo £2,900. Mr Loudon said the dock was a provincial institution, and ho did not ace why they should penalise Port Chalmers. Air Galbraith said tho prosperity of Port Chalmers must have been affected by tho dock. Tho board should not agree to the breaking of an agreement by which Port Chalmers had agreed to pay £SCO a year. "Sir M'Donald also thought tho advan- I tages to Part Chalmers must have been very great. Ho would move as an amendment that tho subject be referred to the Finance Committee, and that the written report of the secretary bo sent forward. Mr Lnrnach seconded tho amendment and pointed out that houses were empty in Port Chalmers before the establishment of tho dock. Mr Roberts said he thought tho Port Borough Council should keep to its agreement. Mr Dickson, in reply, said it would not be disputed that the dock was built cheaply. The control of the clock had been handed over entirely to tho Harbor Board. It was only by the Port Council ■riving tho -guarantee that tbs dock was able to bo erected. Tho whole of tho people of Otago benefited by the building of the, clock, and be did not think any special responsibility should be put on the people of Port Chalmers. Tho amendment was carried by a substantial majority. GENERAL. Tho bank book showed a credit balance r»f £33,557. The Chairman said ho had sent Mr F. W. Platts congratulations in respect to the lion or bestowed on him by tho King. —The board approved cl tho action. Mr Russell protested against tho letter from Briscob and Co. being inferred to the Finance Committee instead of first coming before tho board. Messrs Larnach. Cable, and others also expressed tho opinion that the chairman had acted contrary to the resolution on the subject. No motion was proposed, nor did any member move anything when later on Mr Dickson protested against a similar procedure being followed in respect to a letter from the Vacuum 051 Company. Tho Dunedin City Council intimated that it accepted tho boaul’s conditions for tho hire of rails. Tho Mayor wrote expressing appreciation of tho board’s efforts in connection with the visit of tho Chatham. Air I. C. Isbistor, clock foreman, asked tho board to contribute half cost of uniform.—Mr Galbraith and others thought this should bo inquired into, and the board referred tho request to the Finance Committee. A joint report by tho engineer and the harbor master on the subject of harbor lighting was referred to the Works Committee. | Tho matter of keeping both tho tugs Dunedin and Plucky in commission was brought up in discussion by a report by Captain Thomson (harbor master), who gave it as his opinion that it would bo better for the board to keep the Plucky in commission, as she was useful for light ■work, and if kept in commission would less quickly deteriorate.—Mr Loudon said it was absurd to keep both tugs in commission.—The matter was referred to tho Works Committee. HARBOR IMPROVEMENT RATES. Mr Ramsay moved—" That tho necessary steps bo taken (1) to amend section 9 of by-law No. 12 to provide that the harbor improvement rates under section 5 of tho said by-law shall apply to transhipment goods forwarded by rail; (2) to amend section 24 of by-law No. 12 to provide that the charge of Is per ton for ships working overtime shall not apply to coastal ships.” Mr M'Donald seconded the motion pro forma.

Mr Russell moved as an amendment that the matter bo referred to the Finance Committee, and that Hr Ramsay he associated with the committee in drawing up a report. Hr Dickson seconded the amendment. After discussion Mr Russell agreed to withdraw his amendment.

The motion was defeated by a largo majority. Mr Russell moved—“ That any existing resolution of the board sotting up Works, Finance, Reserves, and Dock Committees be and is hereby rescinded; that a. Standing Committee, consisting of all the membars of tho board be set up to operate in accordance with the board’s by-laws; that if tho foregoing arc adopted the meetings of the Standing Committee be held at 2.30 p.m. on the Monday preceding the regular monthly board meeting.'’ —Hr Walker seconded 'tho motion, which after considerable discussion was lost on a show of hands.

Hurray, Roberts, and Co. wrote in respect to a matter of dues, 'lho notification . from the firm came to hand three hours too late for the rebate from £223 to £142, in regard to tho a.s. Tairoa,—Resolved, on the motion of Mr Ramsay, to grant the rebate.