PORT CHALMERS NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21267, 23 February 1931, Page 9

PORT CHALMERS NEWS.

LACK OF OIL TANKS. Attention is still being directed to the fact that Port Chalmers is losing revenue owing to the lack of oil fuel tanks. It has been pointed out that the advent of oil-burning steamer? and the inability of direct vessels to obtain oil fuel in Otago Harbour has placed the port in a backward position. A prominent resident, who has been associated with the working facilities of the port for many years, stated that the successful flotation of a whaling company by a former resident of Dunedin in London meant that if the necessary accommodation and facilities were available then Otago tlarbour would be the base for the whale chasers after the close of each season. As the factory ship of the new company would be an oil burner and of deep draught, It was evident that she w r ould not proceed to Dunedin for supplies. The opinion was expressed that it would be in the interest of trade if the Otago Harbour Board made an effort to persuade one of the oil companies to install oil fuel tanks at Port Chalmers. There were several suitable sites for installing such tanks, and the old freezing works site appeared to be an ideal one. As the site was in close proximity to the wharves, it would not entail the outlay of a large sum to install the pipe line. The visits of the factory ship, and the stay of the chasers, would mean the expending of a considerable amount of money in Port Chalmers. The question of having oil fuel tanks installed in the Lower Harbour is claiming so much attention that many shipping an£ business people hope that the installation will eventually become an accomplished fact.