NELSON HARBOUR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 16 January 1931, Page 6

NELSON HARBOUR

BOARD’S MONTHLY MEETING

BUSINESS DEALT WITH The monthly meeting of the Nelson Harbour Board yesterday was attended by Messrs It. R. Duncan (chairman), A. Gould, 11. AV .Kelly, A. Drummond, G. Manson, A. Max, C. T. Price and J. Glasgow. Mr J. L. Brown was excused from attendance. The hank pass hook showed: Debit Current Account, £2775 4s. Harbour dues £230, against £320 10s lOd for the same month last year; since Ist October, £I3BB 14s lOd against £1333 12s lOd; monthly average £402 18s 3d against £444 10s lid. Wharf dues £1205 Is 5d against £2275 6s Id. Wharf and harbour dues, Mapua, £34 9s (id against £lll Is lid. The secretary said the decrease in revenue was explained by the fact that a large overseas vessel landed a large cargo in December last year. The revenue from the AVaikawa will be booked in this month’s figures. Accounts amounting to £2772 were passed for payment. CORRESPONDENCE A letter was received from the secretary of the Wellington Free Ambulance detailing the cost of a free ambulance in Nelson. The letter was received.

The Railway Department granted the Board permission to lay a concrete pipe under the line at the corner of Franzeii’s store.

The City Council refused to accept responsibility in the matter of a level crossing over the railway line neai Franzen’s. Information was received that the Board’s order of hardwood would be shipped by the Kurow from Newcastle (Australia) to-day, 10th January. The Mapua School Committee thanked the Board for the use of a shed at Mapua for a school concert. The New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation requested the Board to build a new desk in the office which the Federation rents. The Board regrets it is not able to comply with their request. The Marine Department advised the Board that the future maintenance of the lighthouse has been under consideration and that the Government contribution of £3O per annum towards the cost of running the light will not lie considered before 31st March. Mr Gould contended that as the light had been considered a sea mark for 50 years it was extraordinary that it now should be considered a harbour light only. As the matter would probably be a Dominion matter it was decided to bring it before the Harbour Boards’ Association. Advice was received that the electric master clock had been landed in Nelson. Application is to be made for quotations for an automatic tide gauge. ADDITIONS TO BUILDINGS

The chairman reported that good progress was being made with the additions to the wharf. The decking had been commenced and the pile driving should bo completed by tip; end of the month.

The tender of J. N. Bunt, Greymoutli, was accepted for the supply of timber for the new wharf shed. The chairman also mentioned damage done to the mole in a storm last month. The chairman was given power to act in regard to the necessary repair work. HARBOURMASTER’S REPORT The harbourmaster (Captain Collins) reported as follows: — “The trade of the Port for the period ending 31st December shows a slight increase in tonnage compared with tho corresponding month last year. “During the month 80 vessels including one overseas steamer entered and left the Port, namely, Arahura 13 trips, Matangi 12, three Union Company’s steamers, 28 coastwise steamers, and 36 motor vessels having a total of 29,608 tons register against 26,830 tons for December last year.

“The pilot and maintenance staffs have been fully employed upon various works during the month as follows : Mapua wharf and shed extension is proceeding satisfactorily and should be completed by the end of the present month. Buildings for the engineering shop at the rear of the Board’s offices are nearing completion. Concrete flooring is now being' laid down in the above buildings after which the machinery will be placed in position ancl will bo ready for working by the end of next week. The new portable crane for wharf use has been completed and satisfactorily tested up to 2 tons and will be put into use by the end of the present week. The small crane now in use on the wharf will be withdrawn for strengthening and general overhaul. “Wharfage extension at Port Nelson. —To date 48 piles of the total 08 required on the work have been driven, the remaining 15 piles to be driven include 7 fender piles. “It is proposed to shortly follow up with the placing of the decking on the super structure of which 85 per cent has now been completed. The whole of the decking will be completed by the end of February and commencement will then be made on the placing of the braces and walings, this latter work, however, will not prevent use being made of the wharf after the end of February.” WHARFINGER’S REPORT The wharfinger (Mr ,T. W. Harris) reported that the following cargo was received on the wharves during the month of December, 1930. The week ending Otli December, 1930, 1332 tons; week ending 13th December, 1930, 2000 tons; the week ending 20th December, 1930, 2280 tons; the month ending December, 1930, inward cargo, 4518 tons; outward cargo 2250 tons; total for month 0708 tons. As compared with the month of December, 1929, inward cargo 7737 tons; outward cargo 2412 tons; total for month, 10,149 tons. The decrease in inward cargo was 3219 tons and the decrease in outward cargo 102 tons; total decrease 3381 tons. During the month December work around the wharves became very slack but towards the end of the month the overseas vessel Waikawa arrived here and discharged 704 tons of cargo keeping the wharf busy during her short stay in port; her tonnage is not included iu the month returns of December. I may state that during the month of December, 1929, the overseas vessel Golden Coast was in port and this vessel discharged 3050 tons which

appeared in that month’s returns showing a larger tonnage of cargo handled than that of December, 1930. There is another point I would like to mention, the butter and cheese that we received over the wharves from the Bays during the past three years, amounting to somewhere about 160 tons per week, now goes direct from these ports to AVellington by a vessel called Talisman. I would also mention that there is a large fall off in tho tonnage of coal received, otherwise general cargo keeps up very well. GENERAL BUSINESS It was decided to impose a 10 per cent, penalty on overdue rates. It was resolved to instruct the Mapua wharfinger not to store anything in the sheds which would prejudice the insurance.

A grant of £3 3s was made to the Watersidcrs’ Picnic Fund.

The next meeting of the Board will be held on lltli February.