PORT OF BLUFF

Southland Times, Issue 21096, 30 May 1930, Page 9

PORT OF BLUFF

REVIEW OF THE YEAR.

RETIRING CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS.

At the monthly meeting of the BluS Harbour Board yesterday, the chairman (Mr A. H. Aitken) presented his review of the year as follows: — In accordance with established custom I have the honour at the close of my third year as chairman, to make a few' observations relating to the activities and administration of the affairs of the board to September 30, 1929. The balance sheet and statement of accounts, of which copies have been furnished to members, disclose a surplus of revenue over expenditure of £2,757 7/3, after allowance for depreciation of £2,478 4/-. The total revenue as shown in the balance-sheet is £45,018 4/8 compared with 1928, being a decrease of £3,350 5/8. The accounts, however, disclose an actual increase from ordinary harboui services of £478 18/6 and contrariwise a decrease in revenue from Stewart Island services of £lOO5 9/2 and £2823 15/- from extraordinary sources; this latter figure is explained by the inclusion in 1928 of £1876 revenue from the ship C. A. Larsen, and short paid rent from 1927 of £920. The total expenditure was £39,782 13/5 plus allowance for depreciation of £2478 4/-, leaving at the close of the year as already stated, a net balance to credit of £2757 7/3.

Summary of Financial Position. The total increase in assets for the year is £4688 0/1 of which no less a sum than £4189 10/- is made up from bank balances in hand £1974 13/11 and sinking funds held by Public Trustee as . commissioner of £2214 16/1, and, it may be added, the year terminated showing an excess of assets over liabilities of £252,129 11/8. The total volume of cargo handled at Bluff for the year was as follows:— Imports, 98,999 tons being an increase over 1928 of 8556 tons. Exports, 59,567 tons being an increase over 1928 of 4856 tons. ' Total trade, 158,566.

According to H.M. Customs returns the foregoing record of goods handled converted into terms of £ s. d. produced the followirtg:— Imports valued at £924,823, an increase over 1928 of £125,725. Exports valued at £2,695,366, an increase over 1928 of £15,568, showing in the final analysis the favourable trade balance of £1,770,543. In view of the steady annual increase in the turnover of goods handled at Bluff coincided with the growth in number, dimensions and tonnage of the ships which visit the port, I take the view that none too early can the board decide upon a definite plan and policy for future harbour improvements. The records of growth and expansion in quanity and variety of our exports, the safety and despatch with which cargoes are handled, taken in conjunction with an enlightened survey of the possibilities from the broad acres of Southland, waiting for the plough, tractor and limesower to increase their earning capacity and enrich the thrifty producers of our population, should not fail to remove all doubts as to the future greatness of our trade, or the wisdom of making adequate provision for harbour and port facilities second to none in the South Island. Good as has been the increase in the trade of the port, Government statistics do not show it as its best, for the reason that sometimes goods shipped to northern ports and re-loaded on to overseas/vessels are credited to the final port of departure, again, nartly because of no better reason than custom or habit. There are consignors who, in the aggregate, rail no inconsiderable quantity of wool and, meat northwards ■ for shipment, a disadvantage to our natural and nearest port, which in time will doubtless be corrected.

The widening and deepening of the entrance and approach channels, removal of rock, erection of beacon light, reclamation, wharfage and cargo handling facilities, call for an expenditure of capital substantial and continuous, but 'no greater than the potentialities and prospects of Southland’s natural and prolific resources warrant. The progress and prosperity in the future of the Port of Bluff and City of Invercargill are limited only to the patronage and support the port receives from the population of our own province. T.M.V. Southland. Since the close of our financial year in 1929, the Southland was recommissioned in December last. As, however, engine trouble shortly developed, a thorough investigation was carried out under working conditions by engineers from the Marine Department, whose exhaustive reports and recommendations were, together with reports from our own engineers, given the fullest possible consideration. Owing to the indecisive nature of the experts’ conclusions, and the large expenditure involved in carrying out the recommendations it was decided, I think rightly, to withdraw the Southland from further service, and negotiations are pending in several quarters for Jier sale and purchase. A close watch has been kept of the inward and outward cargo, number of passengers carried and the running costs of this service, the returns continue so unprofitable and unsatisfactory that a conference of those concerned, I think, is advisable, with a view to the board's withdrawal from this service, Having regard to the failure of the Southland to make good and the increasing need for a modern and powerful tug boat for pilotage and salvage services required by the many large cargo vessels visiting the port, arrangements are in hand for the design and building of a new twin screw steam tug. Bluff-Melbourne Service. At date of my last report Southland was congratulating itself on the prospect of an early commencement of a Government subsidized fortnightly service by the Manuka and Maheno. Unfortunatly on the night of December 16 the Manuka was totally wrecked near the Nuggets, happily without loss of life. Since then a tri-weekly service with the Maheno has been substituted temporarily. . Amongst the diminishing band of men associated with the early history and activities of the Port of Bluff was Captain John Bollons, master of the .Tutanekai and a one time local pilot, who passed away in September last, a man of strong character and sturdy independence, whose courteous zeal and good judgment in the discharge of duty ’was equalled only by the esteem and respect in which he was held by all with whom he had to do.

In September last, Mr R. A. Adams, after a service of five and a quarter years, resigned his appointment as secretary, treasurer and engineer in order to return to Auckland to engage in business on his own account. The board accepted the resignation with regret and recorded its appreciation of Ws services in a minute in addition to granting him three months’ leave of absence on full pay. The board appointed Mr H. C. Gimblett, Town Clerk of Bluff, from applications, to the position of secretary and treasurer and Mr D. E. S. Mason A.M.1.C.E., of Dunedin, as engineer. Both are giving capable and efficient, service. , In conclusion I desire to thank members of the board for their continued co-oper-ation and assistance to me in the conduct of the business of the board. I also desire to thank the officers and members of the staff in all departments for their individual service to the board and trust that the present friendly relationships will continue to mutual advantage and satisfaction.