REPORTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 17 January 1939, Page 8

REPORTS

HARBOUR MASTER The Harbour Master, Captain A. G. Christie, reported:— During the month the number of vessels arriving at the port was 78. and the departures numbered 72. The amount of tonnage for the month was 26,148. as compared with 35,236 tons for j the corresponding month last year. I Dredging has been carried out in the | inner basin cleaning up the berth preparatory to the arrival of the Kaione. The amount of spoil that was lifted and conveyed to sea was 1470 tons, the num- ; ber of loads being 21. The number of days occupied in dredging was 12. The j dredge was laid up for the Christmas | vacation on the 23rd. Rredge Te Wakatu: Dredging during | December. 1938. 1470 tons, £7B Is 2d; j repairs, etc., £45 7s 4d. . WHARFINGER j The acting wharfinger, Mr A. Nelson. ; reported that the following cargo was i received at the wharves during the ; month of December. 1938: Inward cargo 1 9 071 ton s. outward cargo 4,000 tons; I total for the month. 13.071 tons. As j compared with the month of December, j 1937. inward cargo 9.651 tons, outward | cargo 4.247 tons; total 13.898 tons, j The work around the wharves has i been fairly brisk, and the amount of cargo handled over the wharves was quite satisfactory. Shown in the returns of this month is the cargo from the overseas vessel Fordsdale. which discharged 1038 tons of general cargo, loading 113 bales of wool. 54 bales of skins, 80 bales of hops, 50 tierces of tobacco. 147 tons of meat. 235 casks tallow This vessel was discharged and loaded in three days, which is a very satisfactory performance, thanks again to our two mobile cranes and the cooperation of the waterside workers and che staff in general. The deficiency in cargo is largely due to the loss of benzine drums both full and empty passing over the wharves since the installation of the bulk tanks, but I believe the year 1939 will be a very busy one. MECHANICAL ENGINEER The mechanical engineer. Mr G. Barltrop. reported:—

The following is the main work carried out during the past month: Repairs were made on the dredge brake gear and new linings fitted; also new sheaves were obtained and bored and bushed foi the grab lifting gear. Several trailers and handtrucks have been under repair, mostly for axles and draw gear. New stanchions and chains were made for extending the existing wharf barriers. Alterations to the electric wiring were carried out on the pilot launch. Also proper distinguishing lights were fitted to the mast in place of the temporary ones At present a truck is being built and the concrete mixer and engine mounted to make the machine a complete unit. WORKS FOREMAN The works foreman. Mr A. S. John-

son, reported that the following works had been carried out during December. 1938: Wharves: Repairs to wharf deck landing steps. Sheds: Repairs to Stoke Aerodrome and No. 2 shed doors. Slipway: Attending t * lauches using slipway. New reclamation: Building new reclamation wall with Boulder Bank stone. Miscellaneous: Repairing dredge, mole, wharf gratings, hand-trucks, etc. Cleaning up and repairing roads, painting wharf margin, laycold patching roads and deck of wharf, assisting surveyor, painting building and general maintenance work MAI*U A WHARFINGER Mr D Blanche, the Mapua wharfinger. reported as follows: Trade for the month of December. 1938. at this port showed a decided improvement. The following general cargo passed over the j wharf compared with December last j year: Inward 485 tons (306 tons); out-

:ward 90 tons (28 tons); total 575 tons ! <334 tons). - Maintenance work necessary to keep board’s property in good order has 1 been carried out during the month, and | with the increasing number of the pubj lie who find Mapua very suitable for • picnics, etc., it became necessary to I build two fireplaces, one on the north I side and one on the south side of the I buildings This should have the effect lof preventing grass fires around the : buildings 1 A swing has been erected in the trees to attract the unattended children from ; the waterfront where there is sometimes great danger on account of the * strong current j The above reports wer° - drpted.