OTAGO HARBOUR

Evening Star, Issue 22275, 28 February 1936, Page 16

OTAGO HARBOUR

BOARD'S MONTHLY MEETING The monthly .meeting ’of the Otago Harbour Board was held last night; present—Alessrs J. B. Waters (chairman), AV. Begg, R. Duncan, D, Copland, J. W. Munro, ALP., E. E. Tyson, D. F. H. Sharpe, T. Seollay, A. Smith, J. Preston, R. S. Thompson. Notification was received from the town clerk of AVest Harbour that Mr Smith had been appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr Moller, and a welcome was given the now member by the chairman. RECORD OF SERVICES. After the board had adopted a resolution placing on record its appreciation of the late Mr H. E. Moller’s services, Mr Sharpe suggested that the board should go further. The names of men of calibre such as their late friend should bo preserved other than by a resolution posted in the books. The work of past chairmen and executive officers should bo permanently recorded. He suggested that- brass tablets recording tlie years of service of chairmen and officers be displayed in the hoard room. Mr Munro seconded the motion. New Zealand was a young country with little tradition, and a permanent record would assist the building up of a tradition. Mr Duncan expressed the opinion that the names of chairmen who had given outstanding services should be inscribed on the tablet. The motion was carried. MORE REVENUE. A credit balance at the bank of £8,819 19s 7d was reported. The revenue for the four months ended January 31 was £50,578, comparative figures for previous years being: 1934-35, £47,232; 1933-34, £42,936; 1931-32, £43,214; 1929-30, £57,348. Commenting on tho return of the board’s annual financial statements from the Auditor-General without a “ tag,” Mr Waters commended the statements for the members’ perusal. The figures showed that tho board’s finances were better than for some time, and the imports and exports returns were an index of the prosperity of the province. Referring to the- extra cost incurred by the raising of the exchange rate on London, Mr Munro said the chairman should have regretted the payment of an extra £9,000 last year to London. The Chairman: We have been regretting that for some time. INSURANCE COVERS. The hoard adopted the Standing Committee’s recommendation that the accident risk for the ensuing year bo placed with the four New Zealand companies and the State, the South British Company, being the next on the rota, to have the distribution; also that quotations be called for a marine cover for the pilot launch for the ensuing year. REDUCTION OF DUES. The Standing Committee, in the matter of the correspondence with Messrs Irvine and Stevenson’s St. George Company Ltd., requesting consideration of a reduction in dues on goods returned from their branches, regretted, in view of the magnitude of the issues which would be involved if any concession was given in this case, that it was unable to grant any reduction in t|e present instance. MOLE WORKS. Following a report from the engineer suggesting the erection of four chains of sea walling in the vicinity of Harrington Point to protect that portion of the roadway most liable to erosion, and a communication from the Peninsula County Council, the Standing Committee recommended that the board pay half-cost of this work, which is to be carried l out by the Peninsula County, the estimated total cost being £l6O. The recommendation was adopted. PROPOSED CIVIC SQUARE. The Chairman was appointed the board’s representative on the proposed civic deputation to wait upon the Government in regard to the proposal that the Government should hand over to the city the old Telegraph Office buildings, when vacated, together with the land on which it stands, with the object of removing the buildings and creating a public square. ADVERTISING THE PORT. After considering a letter from the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce asking that the board contribute the sum of £IOO towards the cost of advertising by booklet, posters, etc., the scenic attractions of Otago and Southland, the Standing Committee recommended that the sum asked be contributed, and that Mr R. Duncan he associated with tho chairman to co-operate with the other interested bodies in considering the preparation of the booklets, etc. Mr Sharpe remarked that shipping companies frequently received requests for booklets from intending tourists. Air Thompson said the public should be informed that one company which was catering for tourists to the Lakes left Dunedin out of the itinerary. The recommendation was adopted. DONATIONS. The Ravensbourne Annual Regatta Committee requested a donation to its funds, and the sum of £2 2s was granted. , ’ On the recommendation of the Standing Committee the sum of £lO 10s was granted to the Shipwreck Relief Society’s funds, Air Tyson remarking that a major disaster on the coast would make a “ big hole ” in the society’s assets, which were, he admitted, considerable. RECEIVING AND DELIVERING. Alessrs Neill and Co. Ltd. wrote requesting permission to undertake the partial receiving and delivery of cargo per Osaka Shosen Kaisha vessels. Tho Standing Committee recommended that the secretary and the wharfinger prepare a comprehensive statement dealing with the general question of receiving and delivery for consideration at a special meeting of the board. Tho correspondence with Alessrs Neill and Co. was approved, and the recommendation was adopted. ■ENGINEERING WORKS. Reporting on works during January, the engineer (Mr J. M‘G. AVilkie) stated:— Dredging.—The dredge Otakou carried out tho following operations;—\ rictoria Channel piles 7 to 9 and off Victoria wharf, Dunedin, a total of 28 loads or 35,680 cubic yards. The whole of this material was deposited at the dredge Vulcan. During the month tho dredge steamed 210 miles and consumed 69.54 tons of fuel oil. The dredge Vulcan pumped 37,160 cubic yards of material received from the Otakou into ibe South Endowment reclamations

area. Tho Priestman dredge was engaged deepening tho entrance to the boat harbour and removing tree stumps and other detritus deposited by Hoods in the Leith, 1,368 cubic yards of material being dredged, loaded on punts, and deposited on tho foreshore north ot the boat harbour. Docks.—The following docking operations were carried out:—Vessels docked, 1; number of pumps, two Port Chalmers dock. The drainage pumps were in operation for 550 hours and the electric crane for three hours in the board’s service i Leith Canal Widening Excavation. —The excavation work for the new channel was continued between Harbour Terrace and Anzac Avenue. During the month 1,017 cubic yards of material were loaded on trucks with the North West grab and deposited on the board’s land between Anzac Avenue and the Cement Works. Concrete Work.—Concreting work was continued on tho section between Forth street and Harbour Terrace, a length of 96ft of foundation beam having been constructed during the month, and 48ft of retaining wall concreted and a further length of 30ft of boxing set I Dock Floor. —Repairs to the floor of tho Port Chalmers dock were continued during the .month, and a considerable improvement effected. Twelve and a-half tons of cement were used and approximately 22 cubic yards of cement mortar forced beneath the flag stones by air pressure. The area grouted is now reasonably free from leakage. Victoria AVbarf.—A portion ot the decking of this structure which was only temporarily laid down prior to the completion of the railway crossings, is now being permanently fastened and trimmed off. . Ravensbourne Wharf.- —Satisfactory progress was made with the extension of this wharf, five piers of seven piles having been driven and lined up, five pairs of caps and five lower wahngs fitted and fastened, and 27 deck beams bolted in position. Victoria Channel Piles. —Red pile No. 8, which was knocked down, was replaced with a new pile fitted with red diamond shape. Black piles Nos. 8,9, and 11 were replaced by piles driven on the now alignment in connection with dredging operations m that locality. As the widening ot the channel progresses, the original piles are being drawn and the lights shitted back to the new piles. St. Leonards Jetty.—Repairs were effected to this jetty, five piles being driven, three deck beams replaced, and the decking repaired where necessary. Slip. —Repairs were completed to one flat punt and another general service punt slipped for repairs. The launch Taiaroa was slipped for repairs to the stem and fenders and straightening of the rudder. Tlie fences at the slip were repaired, and the fence on the back boundary taken down and re-erected on the new alignment on the seaward side of the railway siding. Workshop.—-Tho following works were executed by the workshop staff: —The erection of the Butler caterpillar crane recently transported from the mole quarry to the LeitH construction works was completed. The Smith crane was dismantled ready for transporting to Port Chalmers, where it will be assembled ready for uso on the Bowen pier widening work. One concrete mixer was overhauled and fitted with an electric motor and starter for the Leith canal construction work. Repairs were effected to reclamation piles, dredge chains, dredge Priestman, and ironwork prepared for Ravensbourne wharf, Leith canal, and;shed doors. Tug Alaroro. —The tug was docked for annual Government survey and general overhaul. Repairs were effected to the stem and gunwale, and the hull cleaned and painted. Tlie bulwarks on the round of the stern were very much decayed, and the work of renewal is now' in progress. Relief Works.—Relief workers were engaged erecting walls for reclamation purposes at the Leith estuary and south endowment areas. • SHIPPING SUMMARY. The shipping arrivals for January were - —Arrivals; Dtgiediu—coastal, 26 vessels (18,379 tons); intercolonial, 4 vessels (II .406 tons) ; overseas, 13 vessels (54,265 tons) ; warships, 3 vessels (366 tons) ; a total of 46 vessels (84,416 tons). Arrivals: Port Chalmerscoastal, 7 vessels (866 tons) ; overseas, 5 vessels (29,684 tons) a total of 12 vessels (30,550 tons). Pilotage.—lnwards, 19 vessels (87,119 tons) ; outwards, 18 vessels (84,941 tons) ; removals, 3 vessels (13,652 tons); a total of 40 vessels (185,712 tons). . . 'Tug Dunedin.—Total time under steam, 83 hours; distance steamed, 400 miles; coal consumed, 63 tons scwt. CHANNEL SOUNDINGS. The Harbour Master reported as follows on channel soundings:— North Channel.—The low water depth on the line of leads is 36ft, with a least width of 500 ft (approximately). South Channel.—This channel shows a low water depth of 25ft through the centre. From the mole to Port Chalmers the low water depth is 30ft. Victoria Channel is showing a depth of 20ft 6in at low water at the shallowest part.