NAPIER HARBOUR BOARD

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 148, 12 June 1930, Page 7

NAPIER HARBOUR BOARD

PROGRESS OP WORKS. ENGINEERS’ MONTHLY REPORT. The consulting engineers, Messrs R. W. Holmes and Son, report as follow on the progress of works during the past month: — Cattle Wharf. —The face wall has been completed for 60 feet and the timber tendering completed for 45 feet. A further 16 feet of underwater concreting has been completed and the pile heads for a further 10 feet have been broken down to allow the cap to be moulded. The took filling behind the wall has been, completed as far as it is safe to go and a considerable quantity of other filling has been done. Inner Harbour Channel Between Piers. —The construction of the mast and traveller for carrying the winch, etc., and the necessary railway track is being proceeded with. The dredging plant is expected to arrive in about two weeks time. Reclamation 92 Acre Block.—Tho dredge “Apiti” ceased pumping material on to this block at mid-day on the 15th ultimo.

Dredge “Apiti”.—Dismantling of the dredge was completed on the 24th ultimo, and the pontoon was towed down and moored to the West Quay on the 4th inst. The pontoon was ballasted and passed’ under the Taradale bridge. The machinery and parts have been transported and placed where the Browning crane can reach them in preparation for reassembling. Preparations are in band for slipping the pontoon as soon as the slip is available, when it will bo cleaned, examined and tarred. The floating pipe line has been towed down to the Inner Harbour, and tho work of transporting the shore pipe line and gear to the West Quay is in hand. Reclamation North Pond —Material from the recent fall from the cliff near the Breakwater is being placed in the north and of this pond, eleven men being engaged on tho work. Foreshore Protection —Approximately 88 tous (92 pieces) of rock of various size from 3 to J tons have boon placed along Hardinge road. Tho construction of the necessary boxing, etc., for casting the blocks in place near the “E” shed is in hand. Tho repair work required after the last storm on the western side of the Inner Harbour Channel opposite the Iron Pot has been completed. PORT OPERATIONS DURING MAY . Returns for the month of May were submitted to the meeting of the Napier Harbour Board yeserday as follow:— The earnings from the wharfage and harbour master’s department totalled £5014, being a decrease of £604 on the amount earned for May, 1929. Shipping entered tho port totalled 49,319 as against 55,387 tons in May, 1939. Cargo returns were as follow, tho figures for May, 1929, being shown in parenthesis:— Imports.—General cargo 7575 tons (8844), coal and coke 2458 tons (646). Exports.—General cargo 1900 thus (2750), wool skins, flax and hemp 2953 halos (3722), beef 66 tons (31'8), mutton 26,774 carcases (31,263), lamb 56,886 carcases (68,627). Shipping arrived at the Port as follow:—lnner Harbour l 16, Breakwater 6, and Roadstead 4. ENLIGHTENING FIGURES. During May a total of 2836 tons were handled at the Breakwater at a nett cost of £175, being an average cost of 14.82 d per ton. At the Inner Harbour 2830 tons were handled at a nett cost of £l6, being au average cost of 1.33 d per ton. WEDNESDAY’S MEETING. GENERAL BUSINESS DEALT WITH. The following additional business to that already reported was transacted by the Napier Harbour Board yesterday. The Hawke’s Bay County Council advised that the culvert and flood gate hare now been completed and the work was of a strong and lasting nature. The council stated they would lie pleased to receive the board’s cheque for £lOO as soon as convenient. Mr. Eriksen stated that excellent work had been done and the flood gate was keeping tho salt water out. The board approved of the payment of £lOO. AWATOTO LEVEE.

The Hawke’s Bay Rivers Board advised that at the last meeting it was reported that the Awatoto block levee is about two feet higher thun the levee on the opposite side of the river. They desired to draw the Harbour Board’s attention to the position as the Rivers Hoard have given instructions for the levee on the Meeanee side to be raised to the same height as the Harbour Board’s levee. The Rivers Board was of opinion that the Awatoto block levee should not bo further raised. Mr. Jull said that he could not quite understand the Rivers Board’s attitude. Quite recently a committee from that board met a committee from the Harbour Board on the ground and at the suggestion of tho Rivers Board the Harbour Board agreed to reduce the level on the Meanee bank so as to give relief in time bf flood. Mr. Eriksen explained that since that meeting there had been a change in the personnel of the 6 ,ai. The letter was. received. DEPARTMENT RETAINS PLANS. Tho Minister of Marine, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, in acknowledging the board’s letter protesting against the action of the Marine Department in declining to return a large number of plans, reports and other data prepared at the request of the commission which inquired into the Harbour Board matters in 1927. The Minister stated in reply that there are 177 exhibits under Table D and 22 reports under Table E, all of which form part of and are essential documenta to the report of the commission to Hi.- Excellence tho GovernorGeneral. This being the case it was necessary that they should be retained in the department’s records. As to the board’s apprehension that these exhibits may he sent to the destructor, it was pointed out that the only records which are destroyed are those which have no future value and the Minister feels sure that these important exhibits, are safer in the department's sirimgrooms than in ibe Napier Harbour Board office. 11

Mr. J. D. Holmes wished to see any of the plans or documents, arrangements could of course be made for him to do so. The board decided that the matter should be taken up again with the new Minister of Marine.

INCREASED SHIPPING FREIGHTS.

In regard to charges on motor cars landed via Wellington and via Napiei, the Tourist Motor Co advised that the increased charges via Napier show the great handicap Hawke’s Bay importers were under through Having to tranship at Wellington. Under present conditions the most economical procedure was to make Wellington the final port of discharge and make their own arrangements for delivery' at Hastings. Mr. Jull stated that the position disclosed was that American lines which used the Breakwater charged an additional freight which was equivalent to the lighterage and therefore importers whose goods were landed direct on to the wharf gained no advantage. He understood that the shipping companies charged the same additional rate to other harbours, including Timaru. Mr. P. Higgins considered that if what the chairman had said was correct the position urns a serious one for the trade of the port. It went to show that ships which worked the Breakwater were not given any advantage over those who discharged their cargo into lighters. He stated that in shipping goods to Wellington or Napier there was an amount of £9 9/2} for each motor car against Napier. In the case where the cars wore transhipped via Wellington an additional freight of £l7 to £2l had to be pnid, which, amount was nearly as much as the freight from New York to Wellington Napier importers were thus at a- disadvantage pf £26 on each car. The hoard agreed that the matter should he looked into and Messrs, .lull and Higgins were appointed a special committee to make enquiries and report to a further meeting.