BLUFF HARBOUR

Southland Times, Issue 20495, 25 May 1928, Page 11

BLUFF HARBOUR

MEETING OF BOARD. ROUTINE BUSINESS DISCUSSED. (From Our Correspondent.) The monthly meeting of the Bluff Harbour Board was held at Bluff yesterday. Present; Mr A. H. Aitken (in the chair), Messrs C. S. Longuet, W. A. Ott, W. Hinchey, J. R. Hamilton M.P., P. Reid, G. Wraytt, E. Bowmar,. W. J. A. McGregor, M. N. Hyndman, W. B. Dixon and R. A. Anderson. CORRESPONDENCE. The secretary of the Wellington Provincial Yacht and Motor Boat Association wrote thanking the board for the kindness shown to their representative at the Sanders Cup trials.—Received. The secretary of the Southland League wrote acknowledging the board’s annual donation of £2OO towards their funds for the current year. The league sincerely appreciated the whole-hearted continued support of the board which meant so much to its work of promoting the interests of Southland.—Received. Mr A. B. Moffett, commodore of the Stewart Island Yacht Club, wrote: “On behalf of the committee responsible for the arrangements in connection with the 1928 Sanders Cup contest I have to express again appreciation of your board’s generous support in granting a levy on passengers to Stewart Island during that period. I have been requested by the other associations who took part in the contest to convey also their appreciation of your board and officials. An acknowledgment for £BO 7/- was enclosed.—Received. The statement of receipts for the month of April showed: Wharfage dues, £l4lB 7/1; ships’ dues, £1461 4/4; Stewart Island service, £667 4/11; miscellaneous, £525 15/-. —a total of £4072 11/4 compared with j £4356 13/- for the same period last year. The harbourmaster (Captain G. N. Lind- , say) reported as follows on shipping entering and departing from the port during the month of April:—lnward—3 overseas vessels 13,949 tons, 2 intercolonial 4672 tons, 37 coastal 8280 tons, a total of 42 vessels of 26,901 tons. Outward—s overseas vessels 25,741 tons, 2 intercolonial 4672 tons, 40 coastal 8394 tons, a total of 47 vessels of 38,807 tons. Compared with the corresponding period of last year there was a decrease inward of 13,321 tons and a decrease outward of 15,842 tons. CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL ADDRESS. At the close of the monthly meeting the annual meeting was proceeded with. The chairman in his address stated: “As is customary at the close of the financial year I have the honour to address you upon the salient events which have taken place during my year of office as chairman. It is pleasing to be able to record a year in which the finances and enterprises of the board have made a distinct advance “Shipping and Trade.—There has been an increase in the number and total tonnage of vessels visiting the port, the total tonnage being the largest since 1914. The tonnage of cargo handled shows an increase in both the imports and exports whilst the total value of the goods exported amounted to £2,422,856. The value of the goods imported was £933,905, there being an increase of £381,163 in the exports and a decrease of £57,847 in the imports when compared with the previous year. The number of boats and the tonnage of direct cargo brought to Bluff also shows an increase. Taking the whole volume of trade for 1927, the exports for New Zealand have increased 7 per cent., while the increase for Bluff was 19 per cent. Bluff ranks sixth among the ports of the Dominion for value of exports and fifth for value of imports. “Dairy Produce. —The dairying industry in Southland continues to rapidly expand in production and value. The total quantity of dairy produce exported from Bluff amounts to 15,793 tons with a total value of close on £1,000,000, making practically 41 per cent, of the total value of the exports. Bluff retains its position as the fourth port in point of volume of dairy produce exported from the Dominion, and with steady improvement in grass pastures by the greater use of fertilizers for topdressing, and the resultant increase in richer milk supplies by the wider development of cow-testing associations, the returns to producers cannot fail to be substantially increased.

“Loans.—The Consolidated Loan No. 3, issued in 1920, matured at December 31, 1927. There had been issued £32,600 of the loan. The accumulated sinking fund totalled £10,077 17/10, the board provided £22 2/2 to make the fund amount to £lO,lOO and the balance was met by the issue of a redemption loan of £22,500 for 10 years at 5A per cent, interest. Almost the whole of the debentures in the loan were taken up by the holders of the matured loan. The total public debt of the board is now £52,500. “New Tug Southland.—The new tug Southland, that has been specially built to cater for the Stewart Island trade, pilotage, and towage work for the board, has been put into service and judging by the increase in the number of passengers carried to date she is expected to prove a suitable type of vessel. She has a good turn of speed and is very comfortable, such qualities being likely to appeal to the travelling public. “Stewart Island Service.—The Southland has been running in conjunction with the ss. Theresa Ward in this service. An official trip was run on December 1, in which some 250 guests of the board took part. The day was fine and the trip very enjoyable. This was followed by a trip for the board’s staff and their relatives on December 3. The advent of the Southland gave a great impetus to the Stewart Island traffic, and by excursions and concessions a large number of tourists were induced to visit this resort during the season and the number of passengers carried has been far in excess of any previous year. Since the Southland took up the running to date 12,736 passengers have been carried, counting both ways, as against 5,046 for the same period for last. year. “Towage.—The long distance towage capabilities of the new tug were tested in a contract into which the board entered to tow the s.s. Tarawera from Port Chalmers to Paterson Inlet, a distance of some 160 miles. This was done successfully in about 30 hours and the experience indicated that the vessel was capable of undertaking this class of work. “Bluff-Melbourne and South Island Shipping Services.—A good deal of activity has been displayed during the year on these subjects, and the various leagues and Chambers of Commerce have collected and submitted a large amount of information to a joint committee of Parliament which sat in Wellington on October 18, 1927, but no report of the proceedings or finding of the committee has yet been received. “Sanders Cup.—The great interest taken by the public in these sailing races, which were held in Paterson Inlet on February 17 and following days, called upon the board to cater for the conveyance of passengers who desired to witness the races. Special trips of the tug Southland were run on each day and over 900 persons were carried over during the w T eek. “Future Harbour Improvements and Reclamation. —These important matters have received careful attention by the board, and it has held several special meetings to consider reports on port facilities and future reclamation. The members were agreed upon the importance of clearing the main channel, deepening the approaches and berths at the wharves and the widening of the swinging basin. The board ultimately decided to obtain the services of a marine engineer of repute to confer with the board and its officers upon the proposals.

“Thanks.—l desire to thank members of the board for their giving of much valuable time to the business of the board, and to express my appreciation of their support throughout my term of office. To the officers of the board I also acknowledge my obligations for ready and willing services cheerfully rendered. I also desire to place on record my appreciation of the publicity given to the board’s affairs by the Press.’*

ADDENDUM TO CHAIRMAN’S REPORT. CASH ASSETS AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1927.

SECRETARY AND ENGINEER’S REPORT. The secretary and engineer (Mr R. A. Adams) reported inter alia for the year as follows: “Finance.—l submit herewith the bal-ance-sheet, the revenue account and the statement of receipts and payments and other accounts duly audited and certified to by the Auditor-General. The following table shows the revenue from main sources:

“From the above it will be seen that there has been an increase in the revenue of £3202 7/6 when compared with the revenue for last year. “Collection of Wharfage Dues. —The board’s Invercargill office for the collection of wharfage dues was opened during the year, and judging by the improvement in the way their business is now conducted, it is proving a success. “Wharfage Dues Reductions.—During the year consideration has been given to various items in the tariff and amendments in the by-laws have been passed to give credit for dues and to reduce the charges on butter, cheese, manures and wool. On last year’s tonnage these reductions would amount to about £l3OO. “Loan Accounts.—There has been no increase in the indebtedness of the board for the 12 months. The Sinking Fund for the No. 3 Loan stood at £9279 10/- and for the No. 4 Loan it stood at £302 11/9, making a total of £9582 1/9 as at September 30. The amount of money spent from General Account on works in anticipation of loan now stands at the maximum amount of £64,400, being the total amount of the board’s unexpended loan authorities. “Expenditure. —Owing to the previous period being for nine months only it is difficult to make a comparison with last year. In comparing the payments with the year 1925 it is noticed that the total amount of the payments was £64,977 5/5, of which £23,658 19/11 was on account of new tug, as against £44,490 13/8 for 1925, of which £6265 was on account of new tug. In comparison with 1925 it will be seen that there has been a heavy increase in office expenses, from £398 13/2 to £859 12/-. The Invercargill office accounts for £229 8/10 of the increase and new books, extra audit fees and extra printing account for the balance of the increase.

“Th? following return has been submitted by the harbourmaster, Captain G. N. Lindsay:—The total amount of the cargo handled through Bluff for the 12 months ended December 31, 1927, was as under— Imports, 88,007 tons, being 2703 tons more than 1926; exports, 63,800 tons, being 5209 tons more than 1926; total trade, 151,807 tons, being 7912 tons more than 1926. “Of the main items of imports manures show an increase of 7935 tons and general cargo an increase of 1464, and there was a decrease in kerosene and benzine of 2874 tons. “Of the main items of exports the following items show increases:—Butter, 285 tons; milk products, 218 tons; hemp, 477 tons; oats, 3461 tons; seeds, 1733 tons; oatmeal, 293 tons, and wool, 1226 tons. “I append the following tabulations showing the main items of imports and exports for the period. Outwards tonnage of main items of cargo handled at Bluff, 1927: Tons. Cheesell,62s 0at59,497 Miscellaneous .... 7,918 W0017,427 Timber, softwoods . . . 6,999 Meat, frozen .... 6,109 Milk products .... 3,280 Hemp (fibre and tow) . . 3,157 Seeds 2,246 Ta110w1,420 ButterBBB Oatmeal6ol Fish, frozen and fresh . . 488 “Inwards tonnage of main items of cargo handled at Bluff, 1927: Tons. Miscellaneous .... 27,318 Manures, artificial . . . 21,108 C0a119,432 Kerosene, benzine and other fuel oils .... 11,648 Sugar 3,444 Timber, hardwoods . . 2,354 Flour 684 “Office Staff. —Following on the resignation of Mr R. Stevenson, wharfage dues clerk, in June the board decided upon the appointment of an accountant. Applications were called for the position and Mr A. V. Valentine, of the board’s staff, was appointed temporarily to the position. After Mr Valentine’s death early in December, Mr R. N. Porter was appointed accountant at the December meeting. Mr James Young has been appointed wharfage dues clerk with charge of the Invercargill office.

“Dredge.—For the year the dredge has been engaged on the following works:— Dredging operations were carried out off the west end of the main wharf, where the depth was increased from 14 feet to 26 feet, at the new wharf and at the middle bank. A total of 56,020 tons of material was dredged up for the year, of which 38,425 tons of sand from the middle bank was pumped ashore for reclamation purposes, taking about 3$ months, the balance being deposited at sea. The dredge finished work off the west end of the main wharf at the end of January and a start was made dredging the broken stone from the new wharf, which work was continued to February 15, when the dredge was laid up for annual overhaul. She returned from overhaul on March 21 and a start was made in April on the middle bank dredging material which was pumped ashore. In the middle of July the reclamation work was finished and the dredge started again lifting the broken stone, etc., from the new wharf, this work being completed by August 11 when a start was made dredging the approach to the new wharf. This work proved very difficult and hard on the dredge, the main horizontal shaft being fractured on the 23rd, the repairs laying the vessel up till September 26. After considering the matter the board decided to take the dredge off this work.

“Rock Blasting Main Channel.—Sweeping operations were carried out in August in the main channel where blasting operations have been in progress. It was found that the depth of the water over most of the rocks had been increased to at least 24 feet at low water, but there were a couple of small obstructions still to be dealt with, one

carrying 21 feet and the other 22 feet 6 inches at low water. A couple of charges, each 501bs, were fired on the 21ft place and it was found that the depth had been increased to 22 feet. Blasting operations are still proceeding and will be continued until a depth of 24 feet at low water is secured. “Reclamation. —This work was completed during the year. The mass concrete wall built on top of the sheet piles was completed in November.” There were 532 cubic yards of concrete and 100 tons of spalls used in this work. The stone wall at the west end of the reclamation was started in November and it was finished in April, practically the whole of the stone used in same being obtained from the foreshore. The filling in of the reclamation was started in March and completed in July, a total of 29,118 cubic yards of material being used in the job. Rock Removal at New Wharf.—Boring and blasting operations were carried out by the divers. They were down 2844 hours and bored and fired holes with a total depth of 185 feet, the holes being from 3 to 4 feet deep each. These operations were completed in January and the broken stone dredged up in January and February. The Lobnitz rockbreaker was put on to this work in February and finished operations in April, having punched 205 holes. The broken stone was lifted by the dredge in July and August. The depth of water obtained along the face of the wharf for a distance of 600 ft. is 30ft. at low water. New Wharf.—Since the end of the year this work has been almost completed, there remaining now only the finishing of the laying of the top decking. The reclamation was levelled off and surfaced and the laying of the rails on the wharf has been completed. The inner end of the wharf is in use for the Stewart Island service and a goods shed, waiting room and ticket office has been erected. These conveniences are appreciated by the travelling public. .Staff.—The various members of the board’s staff have rendered another good year’s work. The pilot staff, under Captain Lindsay, has attended to the shipping requirements and the Stewart Island service in a very satisfactory manner. The dredge staff, under Mr J. C. Imlay, has put in a good year’s work with the dredge, and sweeping operations have also been ably carried out by Captain Harbord. The works staff, under Mr J. Walker, and the workshop staff, under Mr Newman, have put in another year’s faithful service. Also the members of the office staff have carried out their various duties to my entire satisfaction. REPORTS ADOPTED. Speaking to the reports the chairman said it was pleasing to see a surplus on the year’s working. The secretary’s report showed a surplus of £3,200, but the whole of this had been absorbed by the increased cost of working expenses, salaries and interest. The adoption of the reports was seconded by Mr Longuet, who commented on the success of the year’s operations. The reports were adopted.

Cash at Bank of N.Z., Invers. d. cargill . 544 6 1 Cash at Bank of N.Z., Bluff 766 11 5 £1320 17 6 Investments in Debentures • 8200 0 0 Sinking Fund No. 3 .. . 9279 10 0 Sinking Fund No. 4 .. . 302 11 9 Balance Purchase S. Cool Stores 6000 o 0 Dues and Outstanding .. . 2632 13 £27,735 12 5 CASH LIABILITIES. £. s. d. Contractors’ Deposits 25 0 0 Interest on Debentures No. 3 473 7 11 Interest on Debentures No. 4 299 0 0 £797 7 11 Outstanding Accounts .. 669 2 10 Harbour Loan, 1920 .. . . 32,600 0 0 Harbour Loan, 1926 .. . . 30,000 0 0 £64,066 10 9 Loan of 1879 Debenture Unpaid . 100 0 0 £64,166 10 9

Wharfage dues . . Port charges . . Berthage dues . . Pilotage dues . . Towage dues . . 1927. £ s. d. . . 18,210 14 10 . . 4,543 17 11 . . 5,989 2 10 . . 5,858 14 1 . . 515 12 6 Total . . . . .£35,118 2 2 Other sources . . 7,115 0 9 Grand Total . .£42,233 2 11