HARBOUR BOARD.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19178, 8 December 1927, Page 14

HARBOUR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The Lyttelton Harbour Board met yesterday, when there were present: Messrs R. Galbraith (chairmain), J. R. Hayward, W. K. McAlpine, W. J. "Waller, M. J. Miller, J. Storry, F. Hor- j xell, E. J. Howard, M.P., H. Holland, M.P., H. T. Armstrong, M.P., Hon. R. Moore, M.L.C., and Captain 11. Monro. Treasurer's Report. The treasurer's report stated that •ince the last meeting and up to November 30th, the sum of £7899 2s 3d had been paid into the harbour fund account, making the total ordinary receipts for the eleven months of 1927 ended November 30th £103,065 3s, as compared with £97,370 4s 8d for'the corresponding period of 1926. The acting-treasurer and secretary (Mr C. H. Clibborn) presented the following report concerning cargo statistics: — IMPORTS. Tons. Prom British ports .. 15,665 From foreign ports .. 9,833 From int. col. ports .. 8,976J From coastal ports .. 12,148 J Total .. • • 46,623 EXPORTS. Tons. To British ports .. 960* To foreign ports .. 294$ To int. col. ports .. 699J To coastal ports .. .. 16,911* Total 18.566 .TRANSHIPMENTS. Tons. Coastal to coastal .. 7i Oversea to coastal .. 84 Total .. •. 91$ Total tonnage handled .. 65,5805 The report was adopted. Engineer's Report. The report of the acting-engineer, Mr Percy W. Fryer, stated that from October 25th to December Ist the suction dredge Canterbury had lifted a quantity of 92,794 tons, of which 70,044 tons were taken from the outer channel, and 22,750 tons from the inner harbour. During the early part of the period the dredge continued depositing at sea, but since the 15th ultimo had been working on the system outlined in his report on dredging, dated October 25th. From November 15th to. 29th inclusive, 36 loads were taken to Little Port Cooper and- 25. to Camp Bay, a total of 61 loads. During the corresponding period in October, which, however, included one holiday, 28 loads were taken to sea. Th 6 grab dredge Tewhaka.during the same period, removed/3360. tons of spoil from No. 5 wharf, No. 7 wharf, and the low level breastwork. Cranesbip Rapaki.. In order to keep the moving parts of this crane in working order, it' was necessary to get .up steam at intervals of about six .weeks, and put the machinery through its various motions whether required for actual lifts or not. Getting up steam took about twenty-four hours, and involved a good deal of labour and expense. This could be obviated- by providing a flexible steam hose with suitable connexions for.coupling the crane engines to the steam, pipes on the tug Lyttelton or. the dredge Tewhaka. Other advantages '"of'"' this system would be that in case of an emergency a heavy lift could be made at short notice, as the crane could be towed to the site of The work and take the lift as soon as. the steam connexion was made, thus saving the time required to get up steam. It niight also often be possible to carry out ordinary, lifts in this way and so save coal. The steam hose and valves required would cost about £6O. The report was adopted. Harbour Improvement. . The Harbour Improvement Committee reported that it has considered the Acting-Secretary's memorandum dated October 19th, concerning oil fires in ships, and navigable waters, also a letter from the Auckland Harbour Board and report from its harbourmaster on the subject, and it recommended that the acting-Becretary's memorandum 'be Adopted and referred to the Board's engineer and harbourmaster for a joint report as to the plant required and workitfß. details. •With regard to the proposed renovation of and alterations to the Lyttelton offices the Committee recommended "That tenders be called for the work ' outlined in the engineer 's »eport including conversion,of the Board room into accommodation for the engineer's department and that the tenders be referred to the chairman, secretary, and engineer with power to act." The report Was adopted.

The acting-engineer, Mr Fryer, estimated the tOBt of painting and renovating the Board's Lyttelton offices at £319, refurnishing £lls, and alterations £3O. The report was adopted.

It was decided to install condensers to . correct the general electric load ' with a view to saving about £3OO a year, the cost of the work being about £IOOO.

It was decided to purchase oil firefighting equipment, portable, and for. installation on the tug Lyttelton, and the dredge Te Whaka at a total cost of £3lO. •Oh tho motion of Mr H. Holland the Board extended to thie chairman and staff the compliments'of the season.