OTAGO HARBOUR BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20318, 28 January 1928, Page 17

OTAGO HARBOUR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. Th" monthly meeting of the Otago Harbour Board was held last night, end was attended by Messrs J. M. Dickson (chairman), T. Anders, u, A. Cable, H. C. Campbell, H. M. Driver, ... H. Hayward, D. Larnach, J. Loudion, H. E. Moller, and W. Gow, and Captain Coll M’Donald. GENERAL. Captain F. J. Duncan’s notation as deputy harbourmaster, and his powers in respect to the granting of pilotage exemption certicates in Captain Mac Lean s absence, were the subject of long and water-tight resolution submitted by the secretary, who said he had drawn it up for the board’s protection in the event of any dispute in connection with the executk.. of these offices. The resolution, which was acopted unanimously, provided that Captain Duncan should act whenever Captain Mac Lean was jkR available. In view of the accident involving the Waipiata and the dredge Vulc-.n, as a result of which the latter’s rope, were damaged, the harbourmaster reported that notices limiting the speed of ships to six knots had been erected on three piles. The engineer reported that there worn i be no claim on the Union Steam Ship Company. The damage had been repaired. In reply to a request from the X’ort Chalmers Waterside Workers’ Union, a grant of £8 was made to that body’s picnic fund. It was decided to devote a speed..l meeting of the board to a consideration of the estimates for the year. The chairman fixed the meeting for Tuesday evening. The Standing Committee recommended, with respect to the communication from the Port Chalmers Borough Council, requesting permission to fill in portion of the foreshore at the corner of Ma.audrew road, adjacent to the Crescent Hotel, Carey’s Bay, that permission be -anted provided the stone wall protecting the water front is satisfactorily replaced.— The recommendation was adopted. Authority was granted to purchase a double Worthington pump for dredge 222, and 700 ft of lOin 10 guage pipe for reclamation purposes. A donation of £5 was granted to tho Otago Annual Regatta Committee. —Mr Larnach said that the time w-as drawing near when there should be one big regatta. There were too many small affairs now.—Members agreed when the chairman stated that the regattas were serving a good cause. Accounts amounting to £21,886 18s 6d were passed for payment. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer’s report, which read as follows, was adopted: During the month of December, 1927, dredge 222 carried out the following dredging operations:—Piles 3 and 4, Sawyers' Bay, 21 loads, 17,493 cubic yards; piles 4 and 5, Sawyers’ Bay, 25 loads, 20,825 cubic yards; total, 46 loads, 58,319 cubic yards. Forty-five loads, or 37,485 cubic yards, of material were deposited at tho Vulcan sand pump, and one load, or 833 cubic yards, at the Kaik. During the month tho dredge steamed 645 miles, and consumed 178 tons of coal. During the month of December, 1927, the dredge Vulcan pumped 37,485 cubic yards of material received from dredge 222 into the Leith Estuary reclamation area. During the month of December, 1927, two vessels were docked in tho Otago Dock, and tlie dock was pumped out twice. Two vessels were docked in the Port Chalmers’ Dock, and the dock was pumped out twice, making a total for both docks of four vessels docked and four pumps for the month. The drainage pumps were in operation for 160 hours 40 minutes. The sheerlegs were employed for two hours, and the electric crane for 18| hours. Reclamation work was carried out in the Leith estuary area. Pumping will be com menceci tins week into the Logan Park area. Tho overflow vvilj be discharged into the Opoho Creek canal at Union street, Tho caps on the Victoria wharf extension were linked up and caps fitted on one bay, and the beam s fitted and bolted up on three bays. Repairs are being effected to the reinforced concrete beams of the Kitchener street wharl. Tho repair s to tho boat grid at Macaudrew s Bay were completed before the hohdaqs. The lioating ramp at Broad Bay jetty was strengthened, on December 23. If this ramp is to remain in use additional repairs will be required in the near future^. The pile-driving crew shifted the plant to the Leith canal preparatory to driving the piles necessary for raising the walls The launch Taiaroa was slipped for clean ing, painting, and repairs. The engine was taken out, and thoroughly overhauled m the board’s worshop. Maintenance repairs were effected where necessary to the wharve s and sheds. For the period of three weeks and ahalf ended January 14, the following progress in Mole reconstruction was made. The reconstruction of the superstructure reached pier 77, making a total of four bays for the period ; 12550 cubic yard s of rock were deposited on the Mole, the tipping reaching pier 49. Should a workman fall from the staging into the water, it is anticipated that a boat kept ready for use will minimise tho risk of a serious accident. It is proposed to train all the men engaged on the structure to take ’ a place in this boat in case of emergency. A track was cut up the talus slope to facilitate the construction of the new tunnel. Some of the quarry spoil is being utilised in repairing the Spit road. ... . One punt load of sand was deposited at St Leonards. This work will be earned on to fit in with towage operations from the Spit.