OTAGO HARBOUR BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3886, 4 September 1928, Page 14

OTAGO HARBOUR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Otago Harbour Board on rid Fay evening was attended by Messrs H. E. Moller (chairman), A. Cable, J. Loudon, W. Gow, H C. Campbel], C. H. Hayward, T. Anderson. D. Larnach, and Captain Coll M'Donald. The secretary reported a net credit bal ance at the bank of £12,117 9s. Accounts totalling £18,798 15s 3d were passed for payment. HANDLING OF CARGO. Mr Anderson moved in accordance with notice of motion—“ That a special committee be set up to go into the question of receiving and delivering cargo, and submit a report on the following methods: (a) The board doing the work itself; (b) letting, as at present, by contract; (c) shipping companies handling their own cargo; (d) the waterside workers doing the work.” In connection with the first suggestion the mover said it would entail the vest ing of absolute control in the man in charge, with no interference from board members. Only in that way could it work successfully. Contract work, as they knew, had been the subject of complaints from the Importers and Shippers’ Asso ciation.. • They _ had precedents for the companies handling their own cargo. The Union _ Steam Ship Company did it in Dunedin, and all the companies did it in Auckland. The suggestion in regard to the 'waterside workers doing the work was worthy of consideration. It was first raised in Wellington about three years ago. The motion was carried, and the following committee was appointed:—The chairman, Messrs Dickson, Gow, Munro. Sharpe, ancL Captain M’Donald. PORT CHALMERS WHARVES. The secretary read correspondence to the General Manager of Railways, in which the finalisation of negotiations for the Port Chalmers wharves was formally reported, thus allowing for the board’s taking over the wharves officially to-day. ANDERSON’S BAY LAGOON, The Standing Committee recommended, with respect to the communication from the town clerk, asking upon what terms the City Council might obtain the use of the southern end of the Anderson’s Bay lagoon, abutting on Shore street and the City Council property adjoining, for the purpose of tipping rubbish and making playing area, that the City Council he advised that the board regrets that it could not accede to its request. The recommendation was adopted.

SHIPPING RETURNS. The harbour master (Captain Maclean) reported that the arrivals and departures for the month of July were as fellow:— Arrivals.—Dunedin: Coastal, 34 vessels. 22,181 tons; intercolonial, 5 vessels, 9120 tons; overseas, 5 vessels, 18,618 tons; totals, 44 vessels, 49,919 tons. Arrivals.—Port Chalmers: Overseas, 3 vessels, 20.918 tons; total, 3 vessels, 20,918 tons. Departures, Dunedin.—Coastal, 34 vessels, 21,730 tons; intercolonial, 5 vessels. 9120 tons; overseas, 5 vessels, 18,618 tons; —totals, 44 -vessels, 49,468 tons. Departures, Port Chalmers.—Overseas. 4 vessels, 25,972 tons. CHANNEL SOUNDINGS. T he .harbour master reported that the Victoria channel was sounded during July, and that the least water in the centre of channel was 20ft at low water. Between piles 16 and 20 it appeared from soundings taken that the red side of the channel had fallen down, and caused the channel to narrow down to 140 ft approximately at the 'bottom. Deborah Bay showed 30ft and 300 ft wide, Harri "ton Bend 33ft end 350 ft wide, Cross channel 30ft and various width, North channel last sounding in July 344 ft on line of leads. The swinging ‘basin would require dredging soon. The report was adopted. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer (Mr M‘G.. Wilkie) reported, inter alia: — ,„H red ge 222.—During the month of July, 1928, dredge 222 carried out the following operations: Victoria wharf extension, 20' loads, 16,660 cubic yards; piles 3 and 4, 1 load, 833 cubic yards; piles 2122, 25 loads, 20,825 cubic yards;—totals, 46 loads, 38,318 cubic yards. Of this material six loads, or 4998 cubic yards, were deposited at the Heads; 13 ‘loads, or 10,829 cubic yards, at the Kaik; and 27 loads, or 22,491 cubic yards, at the firedge Vulcan. During the month the dredge steamed 577 miles and consumed 218 tons of coal. During the month of. July the dredge Vulcan pumped 22,491 cubic yards of material received from dredge 222 into the Logan Park reclamation area. The extremely heavy nature of some of the dredgings from the Victoria wharf extension resulted in the bevel wheels of the cutter gear carrying awav. Satisfactory repairs were effected by the board’s staff. Birch Street Wharf.—Repairs? were effected to various piles end beams in the Birch street wharf. Wharves and Sheds.—New ramps were fitted.to “R” and “S” sheds doorways. Painting and maintenance of roofs, spouting, and structure is being carried out -to “ T.” “ U.” “ N.” and “ E ” sheds. The galvanised iron on the roofs of several of the sheds is in a somewhat wasted con-

dition, and will form the subject of q special report for inclusion in the annual estimates. Slip.—The winch mentioned in my last report was erected in position, and as soon as the motor is installed will be ready for operation. Various small boats belonging to the board are being repaired by the shipwrights at the present time. ' • Pile Driver Punt.—The Vickers Petter engine and winch, the leaders, hand winches, and a davit for hoisting anchors were erected on the pile driver punt. The machinery was given a trial run, and it is anticipated that pile driving for the Victoria wharf extension will be commenced to-day (August 14. 1928). Otago Rowing Club’s Shed.—Repairs, including the replacing of piles, caps, beams, and the stringers of the ramp were carried out as authorised by the board. Reclamation.—Considerable progress was made with the reclamation at Logan Park. The surface is up to level, practically as far south at St. David street. Ihose responsible for the work deserve every credit for accomplishing the reclamation without flooding the low-lving properties adjoining Harbour terrace. Mole Reconstruction.—The superstrueJure was completed up to and including bay 118 (or about 2600 ft from shore), a total of five days for the period of four weeks ended August 4, 1928. The work was hindered by trough seas and high winds. The following operations were carried out by the quarry staff: 2590 cubic yards of stone were deposited on the mole, 335 cubic yards of debris at root of the mole, 262 cubic yards of debris at the Port road, 46 cubic yards of debris at the Spit road. The “ Ruston ” steam navvy recently purchased from Messrs Armstrong, Whitworth is on the Wingatui. due this week. Every effort will be made to place this machine in commission as soon ae possible. The report was adopted.