OTAGO HARBOUR BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19182, 27 May 1924, Page 3

OTAGO HARBOUR BOARD

Thu monthly meeting of the Otago Harbour Board was held yesterday afternoon; present—Messrs T. H. Russell (chairman), J. M. Dickson, M.P.. A. Cable. H. C. Campbell, J. H. Walker, J. A. Roberts, K. S. Ramsay, J. London, D. Larnach, H. E. Moller, and J. M'Donald. Apologies for absence were received from Mr W. Wilkinson and Captain Sundstram. The bank book showed a credit balance of £22,791. Mrs R. Brinsley wrote thanking the board for its resolution of sympathy with her in her bereavement. The authorities of the Pelichet Bay rifle range wrote asking the board for the use of an area of li acre, near the fever hospital, for the improvement of the range.— It was resolved to forward the request to the City Council. A complaint was received from the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Club with respect to the dangerous condition of the grids in the boat harbour.—lt was resolved that the executive officers 'inquire into the matter. A request was received from the Otago Rugby Football Union that a deputation of the various sports associations be received by the board to discuss a suggestion that the whole of Logan Park be reserved us a playing area. —The matter was held over consequent on negotiations pending with the City Council. A lengthy minute from the secretary on superannuation for servants of the board was deferred till next meeting. The Harbours' Association forwarded a copy of a communication from the Minister of Marine with respect to a resolution passed at the last annual conference of Chambers of Commerce urging that the Government should provide that payers of dues should have representation on all boards. The Minister pointed out that at present eight boards had provision for this special representation, but there were 21 boards for which no provision was made. —lt was resolved to advise 'the Harbours' Association that the board was of the opinion that all special franchise should be abolished. It was decided to erect a new concrete shed on the Victoria wharf, 148 ft in length and 83ft in width. The Engineer presented a report with respect to the lighting by electricity of Victoria Channel.—The matter was held over for further information. Accounts amounting to £7382 were passed for payment. It was resolved that the engineer and harbourmaster should present reports to the next Standing Committee on the question of the erection of at wharf at the Otago dock. The Harbour Master reported that the low water depths at the following parte of the harbour were:—Entrance iNorth Channel, 40ft, 100 ft wide; Harrington Point Bend, 33ft, 350 ft wide; Deborah Bay, 30ft, 3Coft wide. During the month soundings were taken from jftilgonr Point to Victoria wharf. The depths were the same ag reported last month. Thero was a great improvement at Ourl's Point, where the channel was widened by 50ft. At present the swinging basin showed less water than any other part of the channel. During the month 51 vessels, representing 100,196 tons, had arrived, and 53 vessels, representing 91,886 tons, departed. The Engineer reported that during the month of April, 1924, dredge 222 lifted a total of 23 loads, or 19,159 cubic yards, of material. Of this 12 loads, or 9995 cubic yards, were taken from between piles 9-10; five loads, or 4165 cubic yards, from the cross wharf; throe loads, or 2499 cubic yards, from the Vulcan's pit; ope load, or 833 cubic yards, between piles 27-28; one load from between piles 9-11, and one load from between piles 8-9. Of this material eight loads, or 664 cubic yards were deposited at the Vulcan, eight loads at the Kaik, and seven loads, or 5831 cubic yards, at the Heads. During the month the dredge steamed 405 miles and burned 145 tons of coal. During the month the dredge was out of commission for six days, undergoing repairs. As previously reported, the prosence of bar iron at the ctoss wharf berth caused damage to tho ladder extension arms. During the month of April the Vulcan pumped into the Lake Logan reclamation area 6664 cubic yards of material received from dredge 222. The Vulcan was closed down from April 4 to Anril 14, consequent on the shortage of power, and advantage was taken of this to overhaul the 300 horsepower motor. On the 15th tho cutter motor coils burned out, and the dredge worked without tho cutter till the 23rd, when the motor was again started. On the 6th inst. a spare pulley of larger diameter was fitted on the 300 horse-power motor, thus increasing the speed of the pump, and now the whole plant was working satisfactorily. For a period of four weeks, ended May 10, a total of 1905 cubic yards were quarried from Black Jack's Quarry, and deposited on the railway embankment. The embankment had been extended within two chains of the temporary bridge, and it was anticipated that the work would be finished in about ,j weeks. Owing to tho absence of .Mr Anderson, tho following motion, of which he had given notice, w&s ordered to stand pvor till next meeting.—"(a) That, as a result of the large warships and other large ships not visiting this harbour owing to the bends, depth of water and swinging basin 3, the board take into serious consideration the deepening of the Lower Harbour, from the Heads to Port Chalmers wharves, to a- depth of 40ft; (b) also, the shifting of the black lighter beacon 'it the south entrance, to the blind channel, and 'that the blind channel be dredged to a depth of 40ft, to enable boats to come straight up to the wharves, thereby cutting out the bend at Deborah Bay, and same to bo also widened sufficiently to permit of a swinging and adjusting basin; (c) to accomplish this, and other very necessary dredging, immediate steps be taken to have a new dredge or system, whereby the work will be expedited and carried out more efficiently and economically than at present." Mr Moller remarked that the question of this work had previously been before the board. It would cost about £40,000 or £50.000. The Chairman said he did not remember the estimate; but it was a big amount. The motion will be considered at tho next meeting of the board.