HARBOUR ACTIVITIES

Evening Star, Issue 20316, 26 October 1929, Page 3

HARBOUR ACTIVITIES

MEETING OF BOARD The Harbour Board held its monthly _ meeting last night; present—Messrs’ W. Giow (chairman), W. Begg, D. Larnach, J. Loudon, J. H. Duncan, D. F. H. Sharpe, T. Scollay, VV. G. Love, J. M‘C. Dickson, H. C. Campbell, U. E. Moller, H. M. Driver, and Captain Coll M'Donald. Commodore Geoffrey Blake wrote ex pressing thanks for consideration and kindness extended.to H.M.S. Dunedin and personnel during the recent visit to Dunedin. The bank balance showed a net credit balance of £3,843. GRANT WITHHELD. The Standing Committee recommended that, with respect to the communication from the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association, requesting a donation towards the expenses in connection with the forthcoming Cornwell and Sanders Cup contests, the association be advised that the board regretted that it could not sec its way clear to contribute this year. "■ Mr Sharpe moved the adoption 01 the report. Mr Loudon considered that the usual donation should bo made. The Sanders Cup was n national event. The contest had evinced great interest when held on Otago Harbour. He moved as an amendment that last year’s sura be again given. The amendment was defeated. Mr Duncan said he understood the hoard passed a motion not to make further donations, yet several had been passed in the last year. The contests were deserving of support, and iie moved yffit the sum of £5 5s be gi anted. Mr Love seconded. It was only fair that a donation should bo made, although he considered £lO 10s too high. The bodies should be self-supporting, hut as the board had contributed to things in no way connected with the harbour the association’s appeal should not be turned down. The Chairman said the request tor donations towards acquatic activities became so extreme that the board reached an understanding to cease all contributions. Mr Begg: That rule was not made by this board. ' Mr Gow: It was made by the Otago Harbour Board, and if the board now wishes to retract from that decision I have no objection. I think, however, that we should take some cognisance of the board’s decision. The amendment was defeated, and Mr Begg then moved that £2 3s be granted. The amendment was seconded by Mr Moller. A tie resulted, and the chairman gave his casting vote agiynst the amendment. He explained ho felt he had to uphold the recommendation or the Standing Committee. The report was then adopted. KAVENSBOURNE WHARF.

When the question of the ontwaru letter from the secretary to Messrs Moore, Moore, and Nicholl. solicitors for the Dominion Fertilise) Company, was reached on tho agenda Mr Dickson asked if a further letter had been received from the solicitors. Mr Cow: Yes. It canie in after the ordei paper was made up. The letter suggested that a committee of the board should meet Mr James Fletcher on his next visit to Dunedin to discuss the construction of the wharf, etc., on the Ravensbourne area. The board decided to hold a conference with Mr Fletcher, in committee, on November 12. ELECTION EXPENSES.

Mr Love moved—“ That the board confer with the chief returning officer before the next election of its members and agree on the percentage to be charged, as the general feeling is that the present charge to the board is not in keeping with the extra expense incurred by having the election of its members in conjunction with the municipal elections.” Mr Love, in support, said he thought that it would be far better if the board had a proper understanding as to what should be charged before the election than that there should be a great deal of haggling afterwards. Mr Duncan seconded the motion.

Members generally were of opinion that the fixing of the board’s share lay with the chief returning officer, and if the board thought the amount charged too much it had the right of appeal to the Audit Department, and that little good would come of the proposed conference. However, they thought that no harm would come of it, and the motion was carried. ‘ STAFF APPOINTMENTS.

The Standing _ Committee recommended the following reorganisation of the harbour master’s department;— Pier master, Dunedin v Captain F. G. Macdonald to be appointed to this position, in addition to his present duties, subject to Captain Page securing his license and completing his three months’ trial satisfactorily. Pilot: Captain J. E. Pago to sit for a pilot’s license, and, if successful, to be appointed pilot on three months’ trial. Master of tug: Captain R. Scollay to be appointed subject to Captain Pago securing his license and completing his three months’ trial satisfactorily. Master of pilot launch: Applications to be called for this position at a salary of £285, and on three months’ trial. The report was adopted, the board deciding to make a temporary appointment as master of the pilot launch. HARBOUR MASTER’S REPORT. The report of the harbour master stated that arrivals at the port during the month w.ere 23 coastal vessels of 15,366 tons, 4 intercolonial vessels of 9,864 tons, and 16 oversea, vessels of 80,554 tons. The tug Dunedin steamed 360 miles and consumed 48i tons of coal. _ , The report was received. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer’s report stated that Dredge 222 had steamed 204 miles and consumed 153 tons of coal. Two vessels were docked in the Port Chalmers dock during the month. The mole superstructure was completed up to and including pier 179, a total of three bays for the period of four weeks ended Saturday, October 5. The piles for pier 180 were driven; 2,515 cubic yards of stone were deposited on the mole from the new quarry, and 1,310 cubic yards from the old quarry, making a total of 3,825 cubic yards for the period; 275 cubic yards of debris were placed on the root of the mole, 66 cubic yards on the Port road, and 70 ..cubic yards of ballast on the railway. Bad weather and rough seas hampered the work on the structure.

The retoration of fences and garlens in’ Reio’rt street, on the banks of the Leith Canal, was practically completed. The strengthening of ;the reclamation banks on the Black Jack’s Point area is proving too costly, and it would be an economical advantage if spoil could be pumped into the south endowment, allowing the dredgings in the former area to consolidate. The question of the south endowment ro-

elamation has been taken up with the city engineer. The floor of P shed for half the width of the shed has been completed and prenarations are now ’ mng made to construct the roadside foundation beam. As authorised by the board, as a result of the recent deputation from the Waterside Workers’ Union, the repairs to Birch street wharf and addition to two ramps, were being attended to. Tho report was received.