OTAGO HARBOUR

Evening Star, Issue 22145, 27 September 1935, Page 3

OTAGO HARBOUR

REVENUE FURTHER IMPROVES 1 BOARD'S MONTHLY MEETING The Harbour Board held its monthly meeting last night; present —.Messrs J. B. Waters (chairman), H. C. Campbell, T. Scollay, J. Preston, A. Campbell, IX F. H. Sharpe, F. E. Tyson, D. Copland, It. S. Thompson, and J. H. Duncan. Mr H. E. Moller was granted two months leave of absence, leave also being granted to Mr Robert Duncan, who is on a business visit to Australia. REVENUE STILL IMPROVING. A net credit bank balance of £15,348 11s Id was reported. Revenue for the 11 mouths. ended August 31 was reported to be £124,525, colnparative figures for the same period in previous years being: 1929-30, £144,124; 1931-32, £100,193; 1932-33. £102,685; 1933-34, £113,002. PORT CHALMERS PROGRAMME. It was decided to hold a special meeting of the board on October 10 to discuss a programme of works at the Port Chalmers wharves. INSULATING CORK DUES. Messrs Jas. J. Niven and Co. wrote requesting to be adyised of the harbour dues on insulating cork. The board adopted the Standing Committee’s recommendation that the question of dues on cork be considered at the close of the financial year. Mr Duncan suggested that “ and other light cargo ” should be added after the word “ cork,” but members agreed that that should be left till the end of the year. AKAROA STREET FORMATION. Following a communication from the town clerk with respect to the formation of Akaroa street from Fryatt street to Jutland street, the Standing Committee recommended that the City Council bo requested to carry out the work of the formation of the whole length of Akaroa street with the necessary drainage work, at an estimated cost to the board of £220. 1 The recommendation was adopted. EXPORT CHEESE TROPHY. The Standing Committee recommended that the board’s trophy to be presented to the Otago A. and P. Society for export cheese competition take the form of a reproduction of a cheese crate, the conditions attached to be that the competition shall be open and the' trophy shall be won five times, not necessarily in succession, before becoming the property of one exhibitor. Mr Waters said the A. and P. Society had informed him that, as there were so many cups and shields, the innovation would be acceptable to all concerned, . The recommendation was adopted. HANDLING OE EXPLOSIVES. In the matter of the correspondence with the chief inspector of explosives with respect to the request which had been made by Mr C. E. Campbell for permission to discharge explosives direct into trucks over the wharves at Port Chalmers and the report from the executive officers in connection therewith, the Standing Committee recommended that the correspondence and report be received, and that consideration of the matter be deferred pending the receipt of a further communication from the chief inspector of explosives. A farther letter was read from the chief inspector stating that the necessary arrangements had been made with the Railway Department for the /transport of explosives from Port Chalmers, and the question of erecting a new magazine at Wingatui was now under consideration _by the Government. He would be visiting Dunedin in about a month’s time, and would then discuss with the board’s officials the most suitable position for discharge available at Port Chalmers. , The letters were received. Mr Scollay said the handling of explosives by rail was a new method. For 50 years explosives, had been brought up from the Lower Harbour by lighters without an accident, but the proposal to carry the explosives to Wingatui would increase the danger area by ’-ht miles.

The Chairman replied that from the points of view of safety and efficiency the inspector was in favour of Die change.

Mr Scollay: Did the inspector say that if we declined to allow explosives to be handled over the wharyes the explosives would be shipped to Bluff and railed to Wingatui? The Chairman; No. But he mentioned its as a contingency. Mr Thompson said Mr Scollay had missed the point of the inspector’s letter. The board’s duty was to give service towards efficiency, and it should not risk the loss of the trade.

Mr, Sharpe said he hoped that, if the proposal were carried, the explosives would reach their destination in daylight. Mr Waters said the engineer had emphasised the necessity of the explosives being removed from Port Chalmers immediately on landing. Mr Scollay: I hope the .Railway Department will not bring the explosives to, Dunedin by mixed goods trains. They should bring them by special trains.

Mr Preston: That is the Railway Department’s business. Further discussion was held over till, in accordance with notice of motion, Mr Thompson moved: “That the resolution of the board of July 25, 1935, adopting the recommendation of the Standing Committee whereby the application of Mr C. E. Campbell for permission to discharge explosives direct into railway trucks at Port Chalmers wharves was declined, be rescinded.” Mr Thompson said the best interests of all concerned would be served if permission were granted. Risks in handling would be reduced by reason of the explosives not having to be carted from the explosive wharf at Dunedin to the railway yard. The conditions specified by the board’s officials' would give the maximum of safety. If the board refused the request from Mr Campbell there was a possibility that the explosives trade would be diverted to another port. Further, the board’s duty was to reduce costs to the consumer.

Mr Preston, seconding, said ■ the existing method of handling involved great risk, which increased as motor traffic on the city streets became greater. Mr Tyson: Would this moan any additional charge in the way of insurance to this board? Mr Waters _ replied that Lyttelton handled explosives in the manner proposed here. The only risk of damage at Port Chalmers was to the waterside workers’ shed. Mr Scollay pointed out there was a possibility of damage to that shed, in which event the work of the port would be at a standstill. He was against lil-

taring a system which had given satisfaction for the sake of saving a few pounds.

Mr A. Campbell also opposed the motion, saying that he would not bo satisfied with the safety of the cargo gear on the vessels until he had had a demonstration of unloading of explosives. He was against any alteration in the method of handling. Mesrs Duncan and Sharpe both stressed the point that the board’s solicitors’ ad vice on the question of liability was adverse. Mr Sharpe considered that the opinion of the Marine Department should be sought before the procedure was altered.

The Chairman pointed out that the motion was merely to rescind the previous resolution, and did not give the permission sought. That would come up later. Mr Copland said the position had not changed since the hoard made its decision. The chief inspector had not touched on the deciding point—the question of liability. An accident might cost the board more than it could ever meet. An explosion of nitroglycerine might be disastrous to men and ships on the adjoining wharves and wreck property at Port Chalmers. There had been no change in the position—

Mr Sharpe: More pressure from the inspector. Mr Copland: That does not influence me. An amendment by Mr Tyson that the question be held over until the visit of the chief inspector of explosives was carried. It was decided to ask the Marine Department for an expression of opinion on the proposal, a copy of the solicitor’s opinion to be furnished to the department. TENDERS. The following tenders_ in connection with the Leith Canal widening scheme were accepted :— gin screenings, Mesrss Palmer and Son (8s a yard); sand, Jubilee Coal Co. (7s 6d a yard). LEITH CANAL. The Standing Committee recommended that the engineer be instructed to proceed with the Leith Canal flood protection works as a full-time subsidised job. The Chairman suggested that the following words be added to the clause dealing with the matter; —“ In terms of the board’s letter to the Unemployment Bureau and the board’s reply. ’ “ This gives ns the option of returning to the No. 5 scheme if the fulltime subsidy scheme proves too expensive,” said the Chairman. “ However, I do not say that the full-time scheme will be too expensive,” he added. The recommendation was adopted. INSURANCES. The Standing Committee, in the matter of .the minute by the secretary relative to the quotations received for the various insurance risks, recommended that the personal accident and sickness risk he given to Bennie S. Cohen and Son, and the remainder of the (risks —viz., motor vehicle, public risk,' burglary, ami fidelity guarantee ,—be given to the Associated Companies, including the State office. The recommendation was carried. FINANCIAL. The committee recommended for approval a minute by the secretary with respect to the £350,000 loan and the question of transfers to reserve funds, and recommending that a temporary advance be made from the general account to.the loan account of £5,000 (or more if necessary), in accordance with the provisions of section -44 of the Finance Act (No. 2), 193£j, and that the question of transfers to reserve funds be bold over until after the end of the financial year. The recommendation was accepted. TENDERS FOR TIMBER. On the recommendation of the committee, Mr A. Campbell was appointed to open tenders for timber for Bowen pier, vice Mr R. Duncan. RELIEF LABOUR. The , Standing Committee reported having received and noted a report from the engineer with respect to the value of work accomplished by relief labour sinco 1931, as asked for by the Commissioner of Unemployment. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer (Mr M‘G. Wilkie) reported ; During August the dredge Otakou, carried loads,. did 2U,4UU cubic yards of maintenance dredging and 14,8UU cubic yards of development Oredging. 'ihe wnole of this material was deposited at the dredge Vulcan. During che month the dredge steamed 169 miles and consumed 71.69 tons of fuel oil.

Dredge Vulcan.—During August tho dredge Vulcan pumped 35,2U0 cubic yards of material received from dredge Otakou into the south endowment reclamation area.

Docks.—During the mouth the following docking operations were carried out: —Vessels docked, 2. Number of pumps, 3. Tbo drainage pumps were in operation for 85 hours, and the electrjc crane for four hours. Railway Connection, Victoria Wharf.—Earth work ; The formation work for the marshalling lines between the north end of Victoria wharf and the board’s slipway was completed, and 14 chains of single track earthwork extending beyond the cement works excavated to the required levels. Two and a-half chains of formation through the board’s slip, which is now in progress, will complete the formation work.

Track Work.—A commencement was made to lay the railway tracks forming the marshalling lines. Approximately 10 chains of track were laid, but have not yet been ballasted. Sullieiont rails and sleepers have been received from the Railway Department to complete this work, but eight turnouts are still required. The board’s line in Wickliffo street has been overhauled and packed up where required, and is now in good running order. Ballast. —A considerable quantity of Leith gravel was screened and deposited along the formation, ready for ballasting the tracks. Approach Span to Victoria Wharf. — A commencement was made to construct the small bridge span connecting the railway embankment to tho Victoria , wharf, a concrete abutment wall (53ft in length having been built and the necessary timber beams landed on the site. Victoria Wharf. —Two cross-overs were laid cloivn, and the lifting of the decking of one crossing completed, and of tho six crossings on the wharf five have been laid clown, and the remaining one is being manufactured by the Railway Department. M'Pherson’s Boat Shed.—This building was jacked up and moved 41ft seaward to give the necessary clear view for shunting operations. The R.NbV.R. boat shed was also moved to a position on tho north side of M'Pherson's shed for the same purpose. The cost of this bitter work will bo borne by the Naval Board. Slip.—Considerable alterations are being carried out at the board’s slipway in connection with the railway formation. The yard is being rearranged, a timber rack for jarrah punt planks erected, and various fences altered and' repaired.

Eastern Channel Jetties.—The shelter shed on Company Bay wharf was removed bodily and placed on Ross Point Jetty. Minor repairs wore effected to weather boarding and floor. Mussel Bay.—The sea wall was extended a further 100 ft, making a length of 960 ft completed. A small amount of sinkage which had takcii place was made up to finished, level. For the period of five weeks, ended .September 6, 605 cubic yards of stone were deposited. The 42in concrete pipe sewer being constructed by the Port Chalmers Council was extended during the month and a length of 932 ft has now been constructed.

Victoria Channel Piles.—The numbers on the Victoria Channel piles were renewed from the Halfway Islands to Dunedin. No. 36 red pile, which was knocked down by passing shipping, was replaced with a new pile fitted with a red diamond shape. No. 18 black pile was straightened up. No. 5a black pile was drawn and redriven on the new alignment to conform with the widening of the bend below Kilgour Point. A temporary _ dredge pile was also driven in connection with dredging operations in the same locality. Dunedin. Wharves. —Minor repairs were executed to the cross wharf decking. Three ladders were repaired and refastened at Rattray street and Victoria wharves , Victoria Wharf Oil Berth.—A platform was erected under the wharf for and at the cost of the Associated Motorists’ Petrol Company Ltd., to give access to their pipe line. Leith Canal Widening.—The 3-ton "Smith” crane was moved to the north side of the canal between Forth street and Harbour Terrace in preparation for commencing excavation work in that locality. South Endowment Reclamation. —ihe reclamation of the 45-acre paddock is progressing steadily. The pipe line on the trestles at Port Chalmers was dismantled and the pipes transported to the South Endowment. Storage Sheds. —New barge boards were fitted on the gable ends of E and F sheds! and the usual maintenance repairs effected to doors, skylights, and floors of the various sheds. Relief Works.—Relief workers were employed erecting walls for reclamation purposes at the Black Jack’s and South Endowment areas, and repairing sea walls. . , , The report was adopted.

HARBOUR MASTER’S REPORT. The harbour master (Captain J. MacLean) submitted the following monthly report:— ' Arrivals at Dunedin. —Coastal, vessels, 17,798 tons; intercolonial, fa vessels, 8,723 tons; overseas, 8 vessels. 31,098 tons; total. 41 vessels, 57.fa19 tons. , Arrivals at Port Chalmers.—Overseas. 3 vessels, 19,022 tons. Pilotage.—lnwards, 11 vessels, 0u,12i tons; outwards, 12 vessels, 57,010 tons; removals, 1 vessel, 5,300 tons; total. 24 vessels, 112,481 tons. Tug Dunedin—Total time under steam, 54 hours; distance steamed,- 265 miles; coal consumed, 41 tons lOcwt. Channel Soundings,—Lhe following were ‘taken on August 15: — North Channel: On the line of leads 36ft at low water. South Channel shows at low water 25ft through the centre. From the Mole end to Port Chalmers there is 30ft at low water. . ' . . , Victoria Channel is maintaining a low water depth of 20ft 6in. The report was adopted. ;