HARBOUR BOARD

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19626, 21 October 1933, Page 19

HARBOUR BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING ROUTINE BUSINESS The monthly meeting of the Timaru Harbour Board was held yesterday. Present. —Messrs G. T. Dawson (chairman), T. G. Garrick. A. R. Guild, W. Hayman. J. Kennedy, W. T. Ritchie, R. S. Goodman, J. H. Smillie, H. M. Whatman. J. Scott, W. H. Orbell, A. P. Campbell and F. R. Flatman. Financial Position. Reviewing the financial position, the chairman said that the credit balance at last meeting was £949/14/7, and receipts since then totalled £6879/18 "1. Accounts to be passed that day amounted to £7643 17/11, leaving a credit balance of £lB5/0/8. There was a sum of £3OOO on fixed deposit, making the actual credit £3185/0/8, compared with a debit at the corresponding period last year of £1323/1/3. Labour Day. The Commissioner of Unemployment advised that Labour Day would be regarded as • holiday for all relief workers. Any worker who was eligible, and who would ordinarily be employed on that day, should be paid as though he worked. W.E.A. Advice was received from the W.E.A., that the Board's affiliation expired at the end of the month, and asked the Board to renew its membership. It was agreed to make a donation of £2. A donation of £2 was also made to the Timaru Technical College, and £lO to the Women’s Christian Temperance Union towards the up-keep of the Sailors’ Rest. Friendly Societies’ Picnic. At the request of the Friendly Societies’ picnic committee, the Board decided to grant employees a holiday on January 27, the date of the Societies’ annual picnic at Oamaru. No. 1 Wharf. At the last meeting, a request was received from the Waterside Employers’ Association asking the Board to consider putting down a fifth set of rails on No. 1 wharf to facilitate the handling of shipping. ‘ The matter . was referred to the Standing Committee, which brought down, a recommendation that the Board write and find out from the Railway Department to what extent they would go towards putting down a fifth line. The recommendation was adopted. Liability of Siding Holders. A letter was received from Messrs Dalgety and Co., asking as to where their siding in Fraser Street began and ended, in case of an accident to anyone other than their employees. The Standing Committee recommended that the matter be referred to the Harbours’ Association. The chairman said that there had been a case in Blenheim, which had subsequently gone to the Supreme Court. The two judgments had differed, and it had been suggested that the case be taken to the Court of Appeal. The matter was an important one, for practically all Boards in New Zealand would be in the same position. The recommendation was adopted. Overhaul of Dredge. After discussion, it was agreed to give the work of painting and overhauling of dredge “350" to Messrs Stevenson and Cook. Purchase of Engine. Consideration was given to a report by Mr W. Anderson in connection with three locomotives which were offered to the Board. After full discussion, Mr Goodman moved and Mr Ritchie seconded, that an engine costing £317, Including repairs, be purchased. The motion was carried on the carting vote of the chairman. Officers’ Reports. The Harbour Master, Captain D. McDougall, reported that the arrivals during September were 40 steam and motor vessels with an aggregate of 46,470 tons and the departures 41 steam and motor vessels with an aggregate of 46,756 tons. The weather had been very fine, smooth seas and light winds prevailing. The Light House had stood now for 55 years and it was found that the balcony hud become unsafe and with some of the foundations, had to be renewed. This work would be completed by the end of tl.. month.

The secretary, Mr F. Metson, reported that the overhauling of the deck winches and steering gear engine on the dredge was being carried out. Some plates were being renewed on top of the boilers on deck around the funnel. The Government Inspector had examined the boilers and ordered some work to be done to the starboard one. In order to do this work it had been necessary to instal a wire to run the electric welder. The Dredge Master advised he was not aware that this inspection W'as termed the 24 years survey and would entail a good deal of extra work.

The wharf staff had been engaged one week repairing portions of the old decking on No. 1 wharf. The raising of the rails leading from Hayes Street across Wharf Street was in hand and should be completed by Thursday this week. When this work wns finished, the staff would go on with the repairs to No. 1 wharf and then do the necessary repairs to the fender at the end of the breakwater. The unemployed had been engaged for part of the time in extending Wharf Street and had also been engaged in breaking metal for the foundation in connection with the raising of the line across Wharf Street. One hundred and thirty single men had been engaged for periods for one to two days each and 69 married men for periods from one to four days each.