OTAGO HARBOUR

Evening Star, Issue 21753, 22 June 1934, Page 6

OTAGO HARBOUR

BOARD'S MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Harbour Board was held last night; present— Messrs H. C. Campbell (chairman), H. E. Holler, A. Campbell, W. Begg, R. Duncan, J. B. Waters, T. Scollay, J. Loudon, R. S. Thompson, F. Jones, M.P. Leave of absence during the parliamentary session was granted to Messrs Jones and J. W. Munro. Two months’ leave was also granted Mr F. E. Tyson. CREDIT BANK BALANCE. A net credit balance of £41,042 15s 2d was reported by the secretary. Mr Loudon mentioned that the balance would be substantially reduced by the meeting of charges next month. The Chairman: Yes; but wc are lucky to have a balance to meet them. CHARGES ON FERTILISERS. A letter from Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. Ltd. with respect to landing charges on fertilisers at Dunedin was referred to the Dues Committee for a report. BRITISH SAILORS’ SOCIETY. A donation of £lO 10s was made to the funds of the British Sailors’ Society, the Chairman stating that the society was in need of funds. _Only the caretaker was paid for his services. LOANS CONVERSION. The Standing Committee reported having noted a communication from Messrs J. H. Francis and Co. Ltd. with respect to tho approval of the board’s loans conversion scheme, and recommended for approval the secretary’s reply approving of the insertion of an “ option of redemption ” clause in tho mam conversion loan. The recommendation was adopted. MEMBERS’ TRAVELLING EXPENSES. The Harbours’ Association advised that the Marine Department was of the opinion that an allowance of £1 a day as travelling expenses was reasonable, having regard to all the circumstances, but it could see no good reason for the allowance being made for a day or part The Chairman said a member _ could claim the allowance when travelling to Wellington by spending two hours in Christchurch. Mr Jones: But the Government will not allow that. It was decided that, the chairman should take the matter up when he visits Wellington next week. STURDEE STREET FORMATION. It was decided, on the Standing Committee’s recommendation, to approve of the formation of Sturdee street between Bauchop and Devon streets in terms of the City Council’s suggestion. The work is already provided for in the estiniates MUSSEL BAY DRAINAGE. On the recommendation of the Standing Committee the report of the sub-committee submitting for approval the draft amending agreement between the Port Chalmers Borough Council and the board regarding the drainage of Mussel Bay was adopted. The sub-com-mittee was instructed to complete any minor matters with the council. GEORGE STREET PIER. Regarding the work of the flush decking between the first line of rails at George street pier previously authorised by the board, the Standing Committee reported that it had authorised the chairman and Mr Munro to meet representatives of the shipping companies and the Port Chalmers W aterside Workers’ Union and decide on the most satisfactory portion of the wharf to flush deck meantime. The Chairman said an amicable settlement bad been reached. The flush deck would extend from 60ft from the end of the wharf for a distance of 500 ft. The reports were adopted. ACCESS TO THE MOLE. Tho following motion appeared on the agenda in the name of Mr A. Campbell That the portion of the resolution of the hoard of April 19, 1934, relating to the prohibiting of all unauthorised persons from going on to the mole he rescinded.” Permission to withdraw the motion was granted Mr Campbell, who said the engineer had informed him that he was investigating a system to keep the lights intact. The question could he held over till the engineer reported. INCREASED REVENUE. A statement giving details of revenue for the eight months ended May 31 showed a total of £98,533, as compared with £91,719 for the same period last year. PROGRESS OF WORKS. Tho following report was submitted by the engineer (Mr J. M‘G. Wilkie) : . During the month of May Dredge 6takou carried out the following operations Victoria Channel (piles 28-29, Ravensbourne), 5; Vulcan pit entrance, 3; Deborah Bay beacons 11-12, 18; a total of 26 loads (38,480 cubic yards). Tho whole of this material was deposited at the dredge Vulcan. Tho dredge steamed 158 miles, and consumed 72.428 tons of oil fuel. The dredge Vulcan pumped 38,480 cubic yards of material received from dredge Otakou into the Mussel Bay reclamation area. , One vessel was docked and one pump docked at Port Chalmers. The drainage pumps were in operation for thirteen hours, and the electric crano for four hours in the hoard’s service. Mole Reconstruction.— During tho period of five weeks ended June 2, the following operations were carried out at tho quarry:—2,94o cubic yards of stono were deposited on the mole and 1 540 cubic yards of debris on tho swamp reclamation. Tho No. 27 tunnel shot was fired on May 24 with satisfactory results, a considerable quantity of large stone having been brought down. Tho stonework at the outer end of tho mole has now been raised to above high tide mark, and the lower places in the vicinity of the hulks are being built up to tho required level. Machinery.—The crankshaft of the No. 2 butler crane was dismantled and repaired, in tho board’s workshop. No. 2 steam shovel bucket was also repaired, and new pins and hushes fitted. The removal of Mr East’s woolshed and outbuildings to their new position was completed by the contractor. Mussel Bay.—The reclamation of Mussel Bay is progressing steadily, tire spoil being concentrated along the western boundary adjacent to the railway line. The close timbered fence is successfully holding the spoil, and every effort is being made to bring the ground along the line of proposed sewer up to the required level so that the first section of sewer can be laid. Retaining Wall.—The construction of the retaining wall along tho seaward boundary is progressing satisfactorily,

being built with stone from tho Port Chalmers quarry and from the half-tide wall. A length of 300 ft at the eastern end was completed to the height of 2ft above high water mark, the height of the remaining 700 ft varying between high and'low-water level! For the period of five weeks ended June 1 the following quantities of stone were deposited on the wall:—From half-tide wall, 537 cubic yards; from Port Chalmers quarry, 445 cubic yards. Half-tide Wall.—During the period of five weeks ended June 1, 537 cubic yards of stone were removed from the half-tide wall and deposited on the Mussel Bay retaining wall. L--,ver Harbour Beacons.—No. 13 black beacon, which was knocked down by passing shipping, was picked up and dismantled, and a temporary two-pile beacon driven and fitted with ladder and light. Broad Bay Wharf.—The remaining five bays of the approach were dismantled and twenty-four piles drawn. Three bays of tho approach have been left intact, and the timber work finished off.

Leith Canal Parapet Wall.—The construction of the parapet wall between Harbour terrace and Anzac avenue bridge, comprising 345 lineal feet, was completed. The section of the Leith Canal between Forth street bridge and Anzac avenue bridge is now completed. Slip.—No. 5 punt of the Vulcan’s floating pipe line, which has been undergoing repairs for a considerable time, was completed, tarred, and launched. The repairs to • the office landing punt were completed. No. 2 pile driver punt was slipped, and a leak repaired. No. 4 Vulcan’s punt was slipped for repairs. Wharf Storage Sheds.—The usual repairs were executed to the various storage sheds, repairs to doors, floors, and leaking skylights. One pair of new doors were fitted in U shed. The painting of U shed roof and doors was completed. *

Relief Works.—Relief workers were employed removing detritus from the Leith Canal between Forth street and the Anzac avenue bridge. A large qu r tity of material was deposited m the canal by a recent fresh in the sti'eam. Relief workers were employed repairing the seaward face of the boat harbour and Black Jack’s walls, and cutting manuka scrub for fascine work at Mussel Bay, and erecting walls for reclamation purposes at the south endowment area. The report was adopted.

HARBOUR MASTER’S REPORT. The Harbour Master submitted the following summary of arrivals and departures for the month of May Arrivals, Dunedin.—Coastal, 30 vessesl (21,287 tons) ; intercolonial, 6 vessels (7,175 tons); overseas, 7 vessels (28,696 tons); a total of 43 vessels (57,153 tons). Arrivals, Port Chalmers.—Four coastal vessels (918 tons), 5 overseas vessels (32,443 tons) ; a total of 9 vessels (33,36*1 tons). Pilotage: Inwards, 12 vessels (61,139 tons) ; outwards, 13 vessels (61,377 tons); removals, 2 vessels (3,392 tons) ; a total of 27 vessels (125,908 tons). Tug Dunedin: Total time under steam, 86h 15min; distance steamed, 298 miles; coal consumed, 43 tons 15cwt. The report was adopted.