FLUSH DECKING OF MAIN WHARF

Southland Times, Issue 24448, 30 May 1941, Page 5

FLUSH DECKING OF MAIN WHARF

BLUFF HARBOUR BOARD’S DISCUSSION The completion of the flush decking of the main wharf at Bluff was discussed at the annual meeting of the Bluff Harbour Board yesterday. Numbers 1 and 2 berths are already flush decked. The chairman (Mr W. J. A. McGregor) said that the timber was on hand and the work could be done by the board’s staff However, the cost of replacement of timber would have to be considered in these times of reduced revenue. He was of the opinion that portion should be completed as conditions warranted. Mr C. B. Tapley said that the work should be done if no serious inroad was made into the present stock of timber. It would be a wonderful advantage to coastal shipping—it would save cargo from damage and accelerate loading. The work would have to be faced some time, and as the board had agreed to hold in abeyance the projected idea of new wharves the flush decking should be proceeded with quietly. Mr J. Cameron mentioned that damage to bales of paper would be obviated by the proposed improvement. The export of paper from Bluff was a big item in the revenue of the port. Captain R. J. Hamilton remarked that the coastal vessels were the principal customers of the port at the present time.

It was decided to refer the matter of how much of the work would be proceeded with to the emergency works committee and the engineer (Mr D. E. S. Mason) for a report to the next meeting.