BLUFF HARBOUR BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 20396, 27 January 1928, Page 3

BLUFF HARBOUR BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Bluff Harbour Board was held at Bluff yesterday afternoon, Mr A. H. Aitken presiding over the following members: Messrs C. S. Longuet, W. Hinchey, M. N. Hyndman, W. A. Ort, R. A. Anderson, E. Bowmar, G. Wraytt, P. Reid, W. J. A. McGregor, J. R. Hamilton and W. B. Dixon. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was received from the Bluff Sailors’ Rest thanking the board for donation of £lO 10/-.—Received. A letter was received from the New Zealand Railways asking if it were possible to run a trip to Stewart Island one day weekly to suit Dunedin trains. —The secretary was instructed to write advising that it was not possible. A letter was received from the Otago Harbour Board inquiring for a second hand boiler. —The secretary advised that a quotation of £l3O had been made, which was a reasonable price to ask. The Public Works Department wrote asking if the board would quote for labour for Halfmoon Bay wharf. —The Department to be advised that the board was prepared to lend its plant and men for the purpose, the plant to be returned in good condition and the Department to pay the labour. A letter was received from the Grey District Diamond Jubilee Committee forwarding an invitation to the celebrations and asking the board to give the matter publicity. A letter was received from the Bluff Watersiders’ Union asking for donation to prize fund.—Received. The Whangarei Harbour Board wrote asking for information concerning the Lobnitz rock breaker, and asking if same was for sale or hire.—The secretary instructed to advise that it was not for sale or hire. The Bluff Watersiders’ Union wrote thanking the board for a donation of £s. Received. The Bluff Regatta Committee wrote thanking the board for assistance during the annual regatta and asking the board to refund freight on 14ft yachts brought over from Stewart Island to take part in the regatta.—Granted. The Public Trust Office wrote advising that the Public Trustee had consented to act as Sinking Fund Commissioner in respect to No. 5 loan.—Received. The Union Steamship Company wrote asking for the use of services of Diver Campbell and his assistant.—Approved. The Power Board Social Committee wrote asking for terms for an excursion to Stewart Island.—Left in the hands of the chairman. The Winton School Committee wrote asking for concession fares to Stewart Island.—The fare for adults to be 6/6 and for children 3/3 provided that the number crossing is not more than 250 or less than 100. WORKS REPORT. The following work report was received: Dredge.—The dredge was working on the middle bank till December 10 when she was laid off for general cleaning and annual overhaul. Five loads of sand; making 2152 tons, were dredged and taken to sea; the depth dredged being from 17 to 2.7 feet at low water. The dredge crew also assisted with rock blasting work. On the 24th the dredge was laid up for holidays. Time dredging, 16 hours; propelling, 9 hours 30 mins; mooring and unmooring, 13 hours 30 mins; shifting moorings, 5 hours 15 minutes; stops, repairs, coaling, 103 hours; stops for weather, shipping and holidays, 11 hours 15 minutes; blasting in channel, 6 hours 30 minutes. Total time worked, 165 hours; coal consumed, 15 tons; distance steamed, 40 miles. Arrangements have been made to dock the Murihiku and Theresa Ward at Port Chalmers on February 1. Rock blasting main channel.—For the month two shots were fired on the patches of rock located near the Channel Rocks, both doing good work. Sweeping operations will be carried out before any more work is done.

New wharf.—Work on this job has been confined to laying decking, fixing kerbings and low water work, fixing longitudinals and lower railings. The total amount of timber fixed amounting to 20,286 sup .fl. of which 17,550 was decking. The delay in laying the rails is going to hold up the completion of this work. Shed and fence tug’s berth.—The cargo shed and ticket office and fence for Stewart Island service is practically completed with the exception of the painting work. Approach new wharf.—The gravelling of this approach has been completed, 100 c.yds of gravel having been spread. General.—The works have assisted handling the cargo for the Stewart Island service, a temporary staging was erected for the regatta and the remainder of the “Loyalty” wreck was removed. The works closed down on December 23 for the holidays. The engineers and blacksmiths have been engaged on the following works: Dredge.— Two manoeuvering winches overhauled, one new chute plate fitted, boiler mounting packed and chain attended to as required. Theresa Ward. —Various small repairs were carried out. Mr Newman acted as engineer for three weeks. Southland.—Various small work attended to. New wharf.— Forging made as required. Water service. —Renewal of water pipe on main wharf being carried out. General.—Water services and ships’ and wharf lights attended to as required. Repairs carried out to launch and forgings made for new shed. Reservoir. —For the month, 477,640 gallons of water passed through the main meter. At the end of the month there was 18ft on the gauge. The secretary reported that there was a credit for the month of £2,953 1/10, and that there had been an increase of £275 received from passengers to Stewart Island. The amount received during the corresponding month last year was £283.