OAMARU HARBOUR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22721, 6 November 1935, Page 15

OAMARU HARBOUR

YEAR OF PROGRESS % BREAKWATER EXTENSION

In presenting his annual review of the work of the Oamaru Harbour Board to the board meeting yesterday morning, Mr R. K. Ireland (chairman) stated that the year commenced with a credit balance of £10.246 7s lOd in the general cash account, and closed with a debit balance of £64 3s 4d. Sundry debtors last year amounted to £1489 14s, this year's amount being f 696 Is 2d. This year's expenditure included repairs to the breakwater apron, £3841 9s sd, plus consumable stocks purchased amounting to £965 19s 7d; Holmes wharf: Approach, £920 lis 7d, Cross-over siding £ll3 14s sd, new rope shed £4Bl 5s 9d; dredging £9585 lis 8d; additional plant and timber stocks £IOO2 18s 2d. The receipts included rents £4137 4s Bd, harbour £4993 6s Id.

CONSOLIDATED LOAN. The sinking fund of the consolidated loan, £215,000 at 4 per cent., stood at the substantial figure of £94,898 7s Bd, leaving a net public debt of £120,101 12s 4d, against £125,425 3s lOd as at September 30, 1934. The earning power of the sinking fund in the hands of the Public Trustee is 3£ per cent., the amount of interest credited to the account being £3173 17s 6d. The usual instalment of £2150 was paid on the due date. HARBOUR IMPROVEMENT FUND. The cash balance standing to the credit of the harbour improvement and renewals account amounted to £25,531 10s, showing an increase of £2432 7s sd; comprises interest £1469 10s 7d, profit on sale of 4 per cent, stock £717 lis sd, premium on conversion of debentures £245 5s sd. DISTRICT RATE. The revaluation of the Waitaki County was responsible for a reduction of approximately 10 per cent, in the valuations of this part of the harbour district. However, no increase was made in the rate struck to assist in providing interest and .sinking fund payments on the consolidated loan, the rate being 9.32 d in the £ on the capital value or its equivalent as defined by sections 91, 92, and 93 of the Rating Act. A reduction of £439 12 s 4'd had been effected in the outstanding arrears of rates from September 30, 1934. OVERSEAS SHIPPING. Thirteen overseas vessels loaded frozen mutton from this port during the year.

showing a satisfactory increase of hve over 1934. The total number of carcasses shipped was 331,949, showing an increase of 63,253 carcasses over last year's output from Oamaru. Other overseas exports included 4823 bales of wool and skins, 135 tons of tallow, 156 tong of bran, 199 tons of peas, and 71 tons of other cargo. In addition, 20 horses were shipped to Australia. Imports totalled 889 tons, comprising 649 tons of coal. 198 tons of timber, and 42 tons of general cargo. Arrangements were being made for an overseas vessel with direct cargo for this port to call during July or August, 1936. Approximately 700 tons of cargo had been promised so far by the various shippers. COASTAL SHIPPING. Coastal shipping showed a satisfactory increase, the principal cargo exported being 8159 tons of flour, 3301 tons of wheat, 1183 tons of oats. 2875 tons of pollard and bran, 151 tons of whentmeal and oatmeal, 104 tons of seeds, 379 tons of potatoes, 740 tons of lime, and 658 tons of general cargo. The principal imports were 2824 tons of general cargo. 1281 tons of coal, 786 ton s of sugar, ami 263 tons of timber.

A total number of 174 coastal and intercolonial vessels visited Oamaru during the year, and the H.M.S. Leith made an official visit to the port on January 10-14, 1935, when the usual port courtesies were extended. The H.M.S. Wakakura again used this port as a base for the purpose

of training the Otago Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during the summer months. OVERSEAS ALLOTMENT COMMITTEE. The board, said Mr Ireland, appreciated the itinerary arranged for the past year, which allowed the total output of the Waitaki * Farmers' Freezing Company, with the exception of two small loadings, to be shipped from Oamaru. . HOLMES WHARF. The linking up of the two dead ends of the railway lines by an additional timber and stone approach to Holmes wharf was completed during the year, and in addition a cross-over siding was laid from the mole line to the first line on Holmes wharf. These works greatly facilitate the working of the wharf, reducing delays in shunting to a minimum. ' The free transit of railway wagons was very marked in comparison with that of 12 months back, and the advantage was appreciated by both overseas and coastal shipping companies, and it is surmised that the board will be more than repaid for its outlay in expenditure by increased shipping at this port. WHARVES At the request of the Railways Department, repairs were carried out to the upper structures of both Holmes and Sitmpter wharves. In addition a considerable amount of work was carried out to the under structure.

HARBOUR LIGHTS. The board's attention was drawn by shipmasters to the weakness of the green light on the lattice tower at the outer end of the breakwater, and the board has decided to replace this light with a white flashing light, adjusted to a character of o.3sec light plus 2.7 sec darkness, with an optical range of 54 nautical miles in clear weather, and 34 nautical miles in misty weather. The lantern is on order, and the Minister of Marine has sanctioned the change-over, which will take place as soon as convenient after delivery. DREDGING. Arrangements were made for the hire of the Timaru Harbour Board's dredge No. 350 for a period of approximately six months. The dredge arrived in Oamaru on December 20, 1934, moorings were laid on the following day, and dredging commenced. On the morning of Juno 5, 1935, the top tumbler was found to be fractured and all moorings were lifted, and the dredge left for Port Chalmers to carry out repairs, after which she returned to Timaru. In all 182 loads were lifted, equal to 182,000 tons of dredgings, and as a result satisfactory work was carried out both at the entrance and in the basin, and he was pleased to inform them that the depths had been greatly improved. PLANT AND BUILDINGS. The following additional plant for the quarry was purchased during the year:— Ten dirt trucks from the Public Works Department, and 10 stone skips from the

New Plymouth Harbour Board. The whole of the board's plant has been maintained in good working order. The new rope shed on Holmes wharf had been proved most convenient in all respec.ts. All other buildings were repaired where necessary. RECLAMATION AND RESERVES. Spoil from the quarry had been utilised for the filling-up and levelling of the various reclamation works, the principal reclamation being between the Oamaru Creek and the north mole. Replanting had been carried out on the lighthouse reserve (section 63), firebreaks cleaned and noxious weeds grubbed out The lease of lighthouse reserve (section 62) was cancelled, and it was decided to plant the reserves in trees, both from a utility and amenity point of view. Unfortunately, owing to the lack of moisture, very little planting was carried out thifc year. The fences were also being re paired, firebreaks prepared, and the reserve generally put in good order. QUARRY.

The output of stone from the quarry had proved satisfactory, and up to expectations. Preparations were made for the" opening up of No. 2 tunnel, and this would be fired shortly. During the year 21.825 tons of good suitable stone were quarried, 19,907 tons being used on the breakwater apron and 1918 tons on the approach to Holmes wharf. After allowing for depreciation of plant, accident insurance, and a substantial pro-

portion of the cost of the trial shot, the cost of depositing the stone on the breakwater apron, and delivering the stone to Holmes wharf, worked out at 4s lOd per ton, which was most satisfactory, considering that the bulk of the stone over the apron was double-handled.

The cost of hauling the debris, amounting to 36,890 cubic yards, was included in the above, and the spoil was distributed as follows: —Holmes wharf approach, 256 cubic yards; reclamations, 28,695 cubic yards; .railways, 2845 cubic yards; Oamaru Borough Council, 4094 cubic yards; Waitaki County Council, 398 cubic yards; others. 602 cubic yards. BREAKWATER APRON. Substantial repairs were carried out to the apron all along the breakwater, effecting a decided protection to the main structure. On representation being made to the Unemployment Board, the board was granted an increase in the subsidy payable on wages for this work. BREAKWATER RAISING. After due consideration and discussion with the consulting engineer, the board decided to raise the breakwater in concrete to serve the double purpose of preventing any heavy seas coming over into the harbour and of using the raised breakwater for running out on to the proposed extension to the existing breakwater, making a permanent improvement to the harbour and doing away with the inside wooden trestle work, which would otherwise have been necessary. It would, of course, be necessary to build a short trestle work on the raised

portion to a grade of 1 in 45 to reach the desired level to run out on the extension. Public tenders were being called for tins work, and satisfactory arrangements had been made with the Unemployment Board for a" subsidy on the contract price. MARINE SURVEY. Arrangements had been made with the consulting engineer to carry out a marine survey of the harbour and offing as soon as the weather was suitable. It would be noted, said Mr Ireland, that no systematic survey had been made since 1886. In 1914 Mr Cyrus Williams, who was reporting on the harbour, had some soundings taken over a small section of the outer area, which indicated that since 1886 there had been a deepening seaward of the breakwater and shoaling to the northwards. In 1933 Mr Furkert had a series of soundings taken, which showed that the slight deepening effect referred to by Mr Williams was still maintained, and it was upon that data that the reports of Mr Furkert and Mr Lee were based. It was therefore desirable that a plan should be prepared showing the soundings over the whole areas as they should exist to-day, and more especially in view of the fact that the commencement and alignment of the extension to the existing breakwater would be governed by the uata available. ENGINEER AND STAFF. On the completion of Mr G. A. Lee's engagement for 12 months m consulting

engineer to the board at the end of 1934, the board reappointed him for a further term of three years. Mr Ireland said he desired to express his appreciation of the good work carried out by Mr Lee during the past year. Owing to ill-health, two members of the harbour master's staff (Messrs N. M'Kinnon and J. H. Andrew) had tendered their resignation to the board, both men having rendered loyal service over a lengthy period. Mr J. Campbell was appointed to fill the vacancy in lieu of Mr M'Kinnon, and arrangements were being made to fill the other vacancy. Miss Blyth also tendered her resignation from the office staff, owing to her impending marriage. On behalf, of the board, Mr Ireland conveyed his"" thanks to the secretary, harbour master, foreman of works, and quarry manager for the good work carried out in their departments during the year. In conclusion, he extended to members his sincere thanks for their loyal support, and for the keen interest taken in the business of the board, which had made it a pleasure to him to preside at the meetings. It had been an important year in regard to the works carried out, and members should be gratified at the progress made. The chairman's report was adopted, Mr Ireland being complimented on the clear manner in which he had set out the work carried out during the year.