PORT OF BLUFF

Southland Times, Issue 21198, 26 September 1930, Page 4

PORT OF BLUFF

MEETING OF HARBOUR BOARD. OFFICERS’ REPORTS DEALT WITH. The monthly meeting of the Bluff Harbour Board was held at Bluff yesterday. There were present: Messrs W. B. Dixon (chairman), A. H. Aitken, C. S. Longuet, W. A. Ott, W. Hinchey, J. A. Hamilton, P. Reed, E. Bowmar, G. Wraytt, W. J. A. McGregor and M. N. Hyndman. The Zealandia Hall was leased to Messrs Henderson and Company for a further term of 14 years. An application was received by the board frbm a shipowner at Bluff regarding the charges for the grid at the oyster wharf. It was decided to reduce the charge from £1 to 5/-. An application was received from Messrs Irwin and Company for an area of land adjacent to the fish sheds. A satisfactory arrangement was made for a year to year lease. Engineer’s Report. The engineer (Mr D. E. S. Mason) reported as follows: During the month of August dredge Murihiku dredged 25 loads or 11,325 tons of material from No. 1 cut. The whole of the above material was dumped at sea. During the month the dredge steamed 200 miles and consumed 561 tons of coal. The boiler was blown down on August 7 for half yearly inspection and cleaning, and was found to be in first class order and condition. On August 26, it was observed that one of the top tumbler bars was broken and repairs were effected by the electric welding process. During the month the dredge Priestman lifted 13 loads or 876 tons of spoil from the east end of the ferry wharf and one load or 80 tons from the west end of the main wharf. Of the 876 tons dredged from the east end of the ferry wharf 816 tons were boulders, some of which were of large size, ranging between halt a ton and two tons. The whole of the above material was deposited in the western reclamation area. The kerbing on the south side of the main wharf was repaired. The understructure of the east end of the main wharf is being repaired and cleaned of manni growth as tides permit. New bolts were fitted where required. As No. 5 mooring dolphin at the west end of the wharf developed weakness during a recent gale, steps were taken to convert it to a four pile structure. No. 1 . mooring dolphin received a second coat of paint. The diver inspected the mooring chains in No. 1 and No. 2 berths and reports that a certain amount of rusting is taking place on No. 1 chain. No. 2 chain is in good order. Some small repairs were effected to beams and decking on the main wharf. Repairs were effected to the various beacons in the channel and at Te Wais Point as weather permitted. No. 5 dolphin in the north harbour was bolted up and braces fitted. The temporary channel rocks beacon was completed and placed in a handy position off the west end of the main wharf pending suitable weather for placing. As the weather and sea conditions were favourable on August 29, the launch was sent out to tow the Lobnitz to the main wharf so that the tug could be made fast. Unfortunately the ebb tide was too strong for the launch to handle the Lobnitz, and the water was too shallow to permit the tug to go alongside. Mr Dixon, however, kindly offered us the use of his steamer Wetere, free of charge, to tow the Lobnitz to the wharf; a small sum was paid to the crew of the Wetere in recognition of their services. The tug was made fast and the beacon placed in position on the channel rocks without mishap. As the beacon was not quite level, the diver was sent down the following day and he managed, by means of a I crowbar, to displace the boulders under the higher legs and so straighten the structure. Steps were also taken to concrete the lower ends of legs to ensure stability in heavy weather. The level of the reservoir at the, end of the month was 18ft 7in. The monthly consumption was 1,213,000 gallons as per oulk meter reading. Two meters were overhauled and one tested. An additional plug was installed on the south side of the main wharf for use by the oyster fleet. Three thousand tree plants were purchased and planted in the vicinity of the reservoir. The air bottles of T.M.V. Southland were pumped up and engines turned periodically. Various repairs were effected to the steering gear, towing hook, engine room floor and decking of the tug Theresa Ward. An additional light pole was erected in the vicinity of the waterside workers’ building. Approximately nine and a-half tons of scrap iron were collected and sold. Finance and Trade. The secretary (Mr H. C. Gimblett) reported as follows: — The total revenue from all sources was £4267 11/11 as against £3423 3/6 for the month of August 1929, giving an increase jof £844 8/5. The main items for com-

The expenditure was £5346. The excess of receipts over expenditure to August 31 was £1993 16/1. Accounts owing to the board as 31/8/30 were: Wharfage dues, £l4Bl 12/8; ships charges, £1096 14/5; miscellaneous, £lO7 8/1; a total of £2685 15/2. The position of the board’s fund account on August 31 was: Fixed deposit (Bluff) £6000; Bluff account (credit) £2030 6/1; Invercargill account (credit) £220 11/-; a total of £B3OO 17/1. The tonnage of goods handled over the wharves for the month was:

The Month's Shipping. The harbourmaster (Captain G. N. Lindsay) submitted his report as follows:—The weather at the port has been generally fine but marred by keen easterly winds, making conditions uncomfortable for workers at the waterside. There have entered the port this month 36 vessels of 48,056 tons as follows with 1929 figures in parentheses:—s overteas vessels of 26,340 tons (3 overseas vessels of 19,052 tons) ; 5 intercolonial vessels of 13,326 tons (3 intercolonial vessels of 4882 tons), 26 coastal vessels of 8390 tons (20 coastal vessels of 4927) ; a total of 36 vessels of 48,056 tons (26 vessels of 28,862 tons). This was an increase of 2 overseas, 2 international and 6 coastal vessels comprising 19,194 tons. The overseas vessels were the Mirrabooka, pioneer of a new line, the Port Gisborne, the Brynymor with sleepers from Australia, the Rangitiki—second visit to this port—and the Shaw, Savill liner, Mamilius. All these handled considerable cargoes. The Stewart Island service has been carried on chiefly by the Awarua now named the Tamatea, the Theresa Ward being frequently engaged with shipping. The new channel rocks beacon was placed in position with the tug and Lobnitz plant on August 29, and it appears to have settled down effectually. The installation of this mark will be of great benefit to shipmasters and pilots, and has already been the subject of congratulatory comment by visiting navigators. The lightship moorings were under run and found in good condition, the vessel was painted. All beacons on To Wais were painted with two coats of paint, and some minor repairs executed.

parison purposes are: 1930 1929 £ s d. £ s. d. Wharfage clues . 2549 9 4 1374 s 8 Ships Charges . . 1181 9 9 1458 9 9 Stewart Island Service . . .. 42 10 9 153 4 Miscellaneous .. 494 9 1 436 18 4 £4267 11 11 £3423 3 6

Imports .. Exports .. Coastal Tons .. .. 4989 .. .. 2552 Overseas Tons 6092 2503 Total Tons 11,081 5,055 Totals .. .. .. 7541 8595 16,136