HARBOUR BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24716, 19 September 1941, Page 9

HARBOUR BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING CONGESTION ON THE WHARVES The monthly meeting of the Otago Harbour Board was held last night, and was attended by Messrs R. S. Thompson (chairman), A. Smith. J. T. Knewstubb. H. S. Watson, J, M. Waters, J. H. Duncan, D. F. H. Sharpe, W. Begg. R. Walls, F. E Tyson, A Mcßae, and J. Preston. Bank Balances The bank balances showed a credit of £18,051 9s sd. Maroro’s Boiler The chairman notified that the boiler of the Maroro had been sold to Messrs W. D. and H. O. Wills, at Petone, for £320 on the wharf, Dunedin. Fire-fighting Equipment The town clerk (Mr R. A. Johnston) wrote stating that the cost of the proposed fire-fighting equipment for the Dunedin area had been less than the estimate and that the board was accordingly entitled to a pro rata refund of £229 on its contribution of £ 1000. Travel Club It was decided to appoint Mr Begg as the representative of the board on the Dunedin Travel Club. Taking Delivery of Cargo Some discussion took place about a complaint from a Dunedin firm that it had had difficulty in obtaining cargo ex an overseas steamer from the wharf owing to the manner in which it had been stacked. It was pointed out that the vessel had started unloading on a Friday, and work had been carried on till Sunday evening, so that the ship could have a quick turn-round. It was decided that the co-operation of the importers be sought, and that they should be asked to endeavour to clear their cargo from the sheds as quickly as possible. Had some of the cargo been shifted on the Saturday or the Sunday, the congestion would not have occurred. It was also decided to write to the company which had complained, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Importers’ Association asking them to use every effort to assist in securing a quick delivery of cargo. The question of the unloading of cargo from ships was introduced, and a member remarked that the overtime which had to be paid had to be shouldered by the unfortunate British taxpayer, who was also fighting the battle for the people of New Zealand. The importers should remember this phase of the position and help in every way to expedite the delivery of their goods from the wharf. Revenue for Eleven Months The statement of revenue for the 11 months ended August 31 showed a total of £162.636, The revenue for the corresponding period of last year was £178,605. Statement of Expenditure The statement of expenditure for the 11 months ended August 31 gave a total of £166.937. The total for the 11 months of 1939-40 was £182,952. Engineer’s Report The report of the engineer (Mr McG. Wilkie) stated that the Otakou had lifted 44,400 cubic yards of spoil during the month of August. The whole of the material was deposited at sea The Boiler Point wharf would be finished about the end of September. and owing to the following facts the estimate would not be expended:— The whole of the piles were drawn from the board’s stock of piles; the anticipated pile-driving difficulties did not eventuate: and all the men on the job worked with a will, thus expediting the work and doing their part to assist New Zealand's war effort. The report stated that, with a view to ascertaining if the mole quarry could be satisfactorily worked by exploding charges fri bore holes drilled from Che top of the face instead of by tunnel shots, a series of holes was drilled some 10 to 12 feet back from the top of the face. The holes were successfully drilled with equipment lent by the Timaru Harbour Board, but had not yet been fired. There seemed little doubt, however, that this method would prove more economical than the previous method, and, as the Timaru Board had offered to sell the necessary equipment, it would be advisable to purchase it. The staging planks on the mole structure which were damaged during recent storms had been replaced. It was decided to arrange for the purchase of the equipment from the Timaru Board, as recommended by the engiheer.