OTAGO HARBOUR

Evening Star, Issue 25618, 19 October 1945, Page 6

OTAGO HARBOUR

MEETING OF THE BOARD The monthly meeting of the Otago Harbour Board, held last night, was attended by Messrs W. Clarke (in the chair), 11. S. Thompson, W- Begg, G. F. Booth, F. E. Tyson, A. Smith, H. S. Watson, J. G. Jeffery, J. H. Buncan, J. Preston, S. B. Macdonald, A. L. S. Cassie. SEA CADETS.

The Navy League Sea Cadet Corps wrote requesting the board’s assistance in connection with the levelling and sanding of a parade ground alongside their training ship Waireka, and also requesting permission to erect a wire fence around this area. —It was decided to donate the sum of £SO towards the work mentioned. HARRINGTON POINT JETTY.

The Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Club wrote asking that, as the Port Security Regulations had now been lifted, Harrington Point jetty be repaired and made serviceable.—The Secretary stated that the request had been referred to the Army Department, which, in the meantime, retained control of the jetty. OVERSEAS VESSELS. The Overseas Shipowners’ Allotment Committee, replying to a communication from the board expressing the hope that overseas vessels ■would at an early date resume their calls at the Port of Otago, advised that the requisition of tonnage by the Ministry of War Transport had not yet terminated, and might not do so for a considerable time. The board’s representations had, however, been forwarded to the committee’s London principals.

The Chairman expressed the opinion that nothing more could be done until the Ministry of War Transport bad reached a decision.

Mr Jeffery pointed out that goods imported from England carried no' transhipment charges from Wellington to Dunedin, as the bills of lading were made out to this port, but in the case of goods imported from Canada and the United States, importers were required to pay the transhipment charges, as the bills of lading were made out only to the ports of discharge. This matter, he thought, might be referred to the Chamber of Commerce, with a view to its making representations to the Canadian and United States shippers.. The letter was received. BROAD BAY WHARF.

The Broad Bay Boating Club wrote stating that it was its intention to replace its old clubhouse, and inquiring the probable cost of completing the ramp.—lt was. decided to suggest to the club that it should carry out the work itself, the cost being approximately £2OO. HARBOUR LIGHTS.

The harbour master (Captain F. G. MacDonald) reported that the installation of the new harbour lights had now been practically completed, with the exception of the red lights, for which there was difficulty in obtaining suitable glass. NEW OFFICES.

The Chairman reported that plans for the new offices for the board had been prepared. The offices, he said, were badly needed, as the present premises were in a very bad state of repair. Mr Watson said that he would like to move that the plans be approved and tenders for the work called forthwith. The board had a plant renewal fund of £15,000, which could be used for the purpose. The Chairman said that the constructional plans had not yet been completed, and on his suggestion the matter was deferred for a month, by which time the estimates would have been brought down. ENGINE FOR LAUNCH. The acting resident engineer (Mr A. C. Swanson) submitted a report on tenders received for the supply of an engine for the board’s new survey launch, and stated that whereas a tender for an American engine at a cost of £I,OOO had been received, a similar British engine would cost in the vicinity of £1,400, and the provision of spare parts was uncertain. Several members expressed the opinion that the board should do its utmost to assist British manufacturers, and it was decided to defer the matter for four months and then call fresh tenders HIRE OF DREDGE. In the matter of the proposed charter of the dredge Otakou to the Bluff Harbour Board, it was decided to hold oyer the question until further information was received from that board. YEAR’S OPERATIONS.

The secretary reported that during the year ended September 30, 1945, 391,232 tons of cargo were handled at the Port of Otago, compared with 415,465 tons in 1943-44, 393,747 tons in 1942-43, 406,334 tons in 1941-42, and 447,169 tons in 1940-41. In July of this year there was a record monthly tonnage of ordinary coastal and intercolonial exports namely, 13,339 and there was also a record tonnage of ordinary exports—namely, 14,844. The total arrivals for the 12 months were as follows (the figures for the preceding year being given in parentheses) :—Coastal, 201 vessels, 146,400 tons net (240 vessels, 156,862 tons); intercolonial, 33 vessels, 56,112 tons net (34 vessels, 56,801 tons); overseas, 31 vessels, 154,439 tons net (50 vessels, 189,953 tons). Totals: 265 vessels, 356,951 tons net (324 vessels, 408,616 tons). The total imports for the year, 228,638 tons, were 7,209 tons lower than for the previous year. The report was approved. FINANCE.

The treasurer (Mr J. Renton) reported the total revenue for September to have been £16,495, compared with £27,868 for September, 1944. For the 12 months ended September 30, the revenue was £176,731, as against £176.895 for the 1943-44 year. The figures under the head of expenditure were not available.