OTAGO HARBOUR

Evening Star, Issue 20422, 1 March 1930, Page 3

OTAGO HARBOUR

BOARD'S MONTHLY MEETING A HEAVY ORDER PAPER The monthly meeting of tile Otago Harbour Board was held last night: present—Messrs W. Gow (chairman), W.' Begg, D. Lamach, J. Loudon, J. W. Mlinro, M.P., J. H. Duncan, D. F. H, Sharpe, T. Scollay, W. G.Love, J. M‘C. Dickson, H .E. Holler, H. M. Driver, and Captain Coll M'Donald. VICTORIA WHARF RAILWAY. The Secretary reported having forwarded to the General Manager of Railways a plan giving the board’s tentative idea of the scheme of connecting the Victora wharf with the main lines, via Wickliffe and I ryatt streets. The board was just about to land two three-ton cranes for the wharf, the idea being that importers and exporters should have the opportunity of direct railage to and from the wharf. The department would no doubt appreciate the board’s viewpoint, a further development in facilities lor the more expeditious handling of cargo. It, was proposed that the department should carry out the railage scheme to a point at the end of tho present wharf. The board would bear the expense of the laying down of two sets of lines on the wharf and capstans. Mr Bardsley added .that Mr Sterling had stated that ho would reply to the representations on his return to Wellington. RATTRAY STREET WIDENING. Tho Secretary (Mr W. J. Bardsley) reported having written to the City Council urging the completion of the widening work in Rattray street at tho earliest convenience. 1 The Town Clerk’s reply was to tho effect that the total cost would bo £1,604. The City Council’s share (£802) would bo submitted to the Council with the next allocations. Mr Sharpe said it was unfair that tho work on tho north side of tho street should ho held up _ after the board had paid compensation for -the land taken for the purpose. The congestion on busy days on. the wharf was a disgrace. On Mr Loudon’s motion the board decided to urge on the City Council the necessity of including its share of the cost in the allocations to be brought down next month.

LEITH FLOOD CLAIMS. It was reported that a reply had been sent to Messrs J. T. Glau and Geo. Clark stating that the board could not accept liability for damage by the Leith flood to their properties, and that the board did not consider any good purpose would be achieved by the claimants appearing before the board. Both ratepayers wrote again asking that they should be heard. After a short discussion, tho board decided to hear the claimants at tho next meeting of the Standing Committee. the Chairman stating that the writers appeared to think they had a grievance. H.M.S. LABURNUM’S VISIT. The commander of H.M.S. Laburnum wrote that the vessel would be vsiiting Dunedin from March 13 to 17. The Harbour Master reported that he had replied, giving the commander full particulars and offering the services of the board’s facilities, Mr Scollay asked if any report had been received that the vessel was to investigate the tidal and ocean currents between Waipapa and Long Points, whore a maritime disaster recently occurred. Such an investigation would help to avert another disaster. The Chairman: Wo have no information on the subject. Captain M'Donakl said the question did not come under the board’s jurisdiction.

Mr Holier said that, if the report were true, the exercise of a little in-

Ifluence might result in similar investifations being carried out at the Heads y the warship. The Chairman said the board’s officers would watch the position. LAND FOR RAILWAYS.

Tho Standing Committee recommended that, with respect to the communication from the General Manager of Railways, provided the department surrenders _ the section for , the proposed station master’s house opposite the proposed Pelichet Bay station, the board will grant an equivalent area by way of addition to the goods yard at this point. Mr Loudon considered that when land was given to the Railway for departmental use ’and that use ceased, the land s’ ould bo handed back to the board.

Mr Holier; That is a good remit for the Harbours' Conference. The Chairman: Yes. The board had told the department that it was not willing to give the land away without compensation. Mr Larnach said tho board had been too soft with the Railway Department. The board should insist on its rights. Tho recommendation was adopted. RAISING OF LEITH WALLS.

The following recommendation from the Standing Committee was adopted:—“ That, with respect to the communication from the Otago _ Labour Representation Committee, in connection with the raising of the walls of the Leith Canal above Forth street, this committee be advised that the subject matter of their communication is one for the City Council to deal with.” SHIPWRECK RELIEF SOCIETY. The Standing Committee recommended that the sum of £lO 10s bo donated to tho funds of the Shipwreck Relief Society. Mr Scollay said the society rose to the occasion of tho Manuka wreck, and showed its value. ‘ “ Would it not be interesting to get a balance-sheet from tins society and many others?” remarked Mr Lar uaoh. | The Chairman said the sodety would probably be pleased to se»d a* copy of its balance-sheet. , FINANCIAL. ; The credit balance at tho .bank was shown to be £16,804 3s Id. Accounts amounting to £1i!,790 wore passed for payment. FUEL PIPE LINE, The Standing Committed recommended that, with respect to; tho communication from tho Shell Cotipany, of New Zealand, Ltd., requesting permission to lay an Sin fuel oil pipe line from the wharf to their depof, the requested permission be granted, subject to the same conditions appertaining to their present pipe lino. | The board approved of tin recommendation. i

HARBOURMASTER’S REPORT. Tho report of the Harbourmaster stated as follows- j Channel Soundings.—Lowjr Harbour: North Channel on line of leads 35ft at low water, 700 ft wide) approximately; South Channel is increasing and Hewlett shoal is washing away; Harrington Bend, 33|t at low water, 350 ft wide; Cross Chahnel,_ 40ft at low water, 500 ft wide; Hamilton Bay, 30ft at low water, 601 ft wide; Deborah Bay, 30ft at low water, 300 ft wide. Upper Harbour: Tle > Upper Channel has not been soundeq since last reported in January. Soundiigs will bo taken as opportunity and wither permits during the month. The hast water in Victoria Channel at preseht is 20ft at low water. :

Shipping Returns.—Arrivds: Dunedin, coastal, 25 vessels (16,536 tons); intercolonial, 5 vessels (13,7p8 tons); overseas, 6 vessels (23,297 tens); warships, 3 vessel (360 tons); i total of 39 vessels (53,787 tons). Pjirt Chalmers: Coastal, 3 vessels (1,4® tons); overseas G vessels (28,110 tons); a total of 9 vessels (29,579 tons). j

Pilotage. (57,827 tons); outwards, 16'. vessels (59,447 tons); removals, 4 f vessels (18,278 tons); total, 33 vessels (135,552 tons). Tug Dunedin.—Distance steamed, 323 miles; coal consumedj '49 tons; steaming time, 105$ hoi». The report was adopted. PROGRESS OF WORKS.

The engineer (Mr J. M‘G. Wilkie) reported as follows: Dredging.—During the month of January dredge Otakou carried out operations off George street pier, Port Chalmers, 33 loads of 48,840 cubic yards being lifted. All this material was deposited at the Heads. During the month tho dredge steamed 498 miles and consumed 129 tons of oil. During tho month of January dredge 222 carried out dredging on the bank off Victoria wharf, 36 loads of 29,988 cubic yards being raised. All this material was _ deposited at the dredge Vulcan. During the month the dredge steamed 54 miles and consumed 114 tons 10cwt of coal. During the month of January dredge Vulcan pumped 29,988 ctfbic yards of material received frohv dredge 222 into the Logan Point reclamation area.

The comparative rates of dredging were:—

Dredge Otakou Time worked, 25 days; number of loads, 33; yardage dredge, 48,840; actual dredging hours, 63h 15mm; distance steamed, 498 miles; time propelling, 79h lOmin; yardage per minute of actual dredging time, 12.86 yarfls. Dredge 222.—Time worked. 25 days; number of loads, 36; yardage dredge, 29,988; actual dredging hours, 91h 25min; distance steamed, 54 miles; time propelling 27h SOmin; yardage per minute of actual dredging time, 5.46 yards. Docks.—During the month of January the following docking operations were carried out:—Vessels docked: Otago, 2; Port Chalmers, 4; a total of 6. The dainage pumps were in operation for 389 h 15min. Mole Reconstruction. —For the period January 6-February 1 the stone placed on the Mole was as follows:—l,47o cubic yards from the old quarry, 1,955 cubic yards from the new quarry, a total of 3,425 cubic yards; 255 cubic yards of debris were placed on the root of the Mole and 46 cubic yards on the Port Chalmers road. The stone is now up to low water level at bay 177, or 3,872 ft from the root of the Mole. George Street Pier, Port Chalmers (Spring Fender).—This work Has been completed with the exception of the fenders, which are now under construction at the board’s workshop. Victoria Wharf Extension (3rd 160 ft). —Fifty-six deck beams have been fitted and bolted \in position and sleepers laid for a distance of 100 ft. Work has been commenced to place the strengthening beams to carry the new electric cranes, which should arrive next week. Kitchener Street Wharf.—During the month further repair work was carried out to this wharf. Five vortical fenders were renewed. P Shod.—Two hundred and eighty feet of wall panels and columns have been completed. Spit Wharf.—The damage caused by the Plucky striking the wharf has been repaired. piles. —No. 4 black pile in the Lowr Harbour, which had scoured out, has been re-driven; No. 14 black has been replaced.

Slip.—The small pile-driving punt was slipped for cleaning and repairs, and has been fitted out for driving test piles in connection with the Ravensbourne wharf.

Priestraau Pontoon.—The pontoon is nearing completion, and is expected to be launched in about two weeks’ time.

Dredges 222 and Vulcan.—Dredge 222 will go out of commission on the 18th instant; all moorings have been lifted ready to transfer to dredge Otakou, which vessel it is proposed to work two shifts. In consequence, the Vulcan will be laid up.. The punts will be

slipped for cleaning and repairs, and repairs to the pipe line will be attended to. , , , , After discussion,' the report was adopted. _______