PORT OF BLUFF

Southland Times, Issue 19657, 6 October 1922, Page 5

PORT OF BLUFF

UNLOADING FACILITIES. At a meeting of the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce Importers’ Committee, held yesterday afternoon, a letter was received from the Bluff Harbour Board with regard to the establishment of unloading cranes at the wharf. The letter stated that all the bigger ships carried gear equal to any lifts that might be required in discharging cargo, and also pointed out that if a heavy lifting crane were installed at Bluff it would be of ‘little use. It would not v/arrant the expense necessary for its erection. Mr R. Dunlop said that a heavy lifting crane would be difficult to work at Bluff as it would not be movable. All the modern ships carried derricks which could handle any cargo they would carry. Asked if he were of the opinion that small electric cranes would assist in the unloading, he replied that they would not be of any great assistance. Mr H. F. Drewe said that he had been informed that the officers of the Orari did not favour another return trip to Bluff as the unloading was unsatisfactory. It was slow work sorting in the trucks. Mr Dunlop said that a considerable amount of the delay was caused by the cargo being badly stowed. When the Orari was in Wellington they had to unload 600 tons of salt to enable the vessel to put to sea properly trimmed. Now the Bluff work was confined to two hatches. Mr J. Gilkison: There would be no advantage in having electric cranes then? Mr Dunlop: I would not say that, but it would be difficult to erect them ou the railway lines. He went on to say that they should content themselves without having a heavy crane for the present. In answer to another question he said that the shore cranes were quicker, but the picking over in the trucks was difficult. Mr Drewe said that the conditions in the hold were against one class of goods coming out. The discussion then dropped, the Harbour Board to be thanked for the inhirmation forwarded.