BLUFF HARBOUR BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 21096, 30 May 1930, Page 4

BLUFF HARBOUR BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Bluff Harbour Board was held at Bluff yesterday. There were present: Messrs A. H. Aitken (chairman), W. Hinchey, W. J. A.- McGregor, M. N. Hyndman, E. Bowmar, P. Reid, C. S. Longuet, J. H. Hamilton, G. Wraytt, R. A. Anderson and W. A. Ott. Leave of absence was granted to Mr W. B. Dixon. ..

An application for pilotage exemption by Mr Thomas Ewart Bevan, chief officer of the ss. Kairanga, was granted on the recommendation of the harbourmaster. The engineer (Mr D. E. S. Mason) reported as follows:— During the month of April, 1930, the dredge Murihiku lifted thirty-one loads or 13,142 tons of spoil from No. 2 cut, including 815 tons of spoil discharged from the Priestman dredge. The position of the dredge in regard to No. 2 cut is shown on the dredge progress chart and also indicated on Plan No. 464. The whole of the above material was deposited at sea. During the month the dredge steamed 252 miles and consumed 69 tons of coal, During the month of April, 1930, the dredge Priestman lifted 11 loads or 815 tons of material from No. 6 berth, that is, on the inside of the eastern end of the main wharf, in the vicinity of the coal bin, and also from between Nos. 1 and 2 berths. The whole of this material was deposited at the dredge Murihiku. A quantity of old timber was dredged up and taken to the yard. At the present time the Priestman is dredging a lay-up berth for the Southland on the south, side of the new wharf.

Consequent on the visit of Mr Brooks, representing Messrs Petters, Ltd., the engines of the Southland were run at the wharves to enable various tests to be made. Mr Brooks is submitting a report to the board on the results of his investigation. Signal Station—Stirling Point: The signal station was painted and renovated where required. ■’’/ Oyster Wharf: The points and crossings for the curve connecting the tramway to the eastward came to hand and were laid under the direction of the railway ganger. At the time of writing the gate and Messrs Pasco’s shed are. being shifted to their new position.

Wharf repairs and maintenance: Repairs were effected where required. The fenders at the tug’s berth were renewed and several fenders at the west end of the main wharf were re-bolted. The kerbs on the new wharf were whitewashed.

• Mooring bollards i The mooring bollard at Pier 44 was completed. Mooring chains: The head moorings for No. 1 berth are ready for laying. The length of IJin diameter steel link purchased in Port Chalmers was not quite long enough so eyes were welded in a 2in diameter steel bar approximately 20ft long. This bar is ready and will be placed in the centre of the chain on the straight to make up the necessary length. ' Launch Awarua: The launch Awarua was slipped for overhaul and for cleaning and painting. Dolphins in North Channel: The superstructure of No. IV. Dolphin was completed. Clay Quarry: The gates and fences of the clay quarry were repaired.

Reservoir: The level of the reservoir at the end of the month was 16jin, at the time of writing, approximately 14ft 6in. Tfee monthly consumption as per bulk meter reading was 1,182,600 gallons. The secretary (Mr H. C. Gimblett) submitted his regular report as follows:—

Receipts: The total receipts from all sources for the month were £4380 13/7, as against £5512 7/2 for April, 1929, giving a decrease of £ll3l 13/7. The main items for the comparison are: April, 1930.

The excess of expenditure over receipts for the expired period of the 1930 financial year is £379 14/8. Imports and Exports: The figures summarized hereunder give an indication of the tonnage of goods handled over the board’s

The main items of imports were: Coal 1128, tons, artificial manures 2671, motor spirit 1365, sugar 166, timber (Aus.) 117, sundries 2860. Total, 8307. The principal lines of goods exported were: Cheese 395 tons, frozen meat 456, preserved meat 161, milk products 208, oats 706, oat products 188, pelts 130, ■timber 180, wool 2004, miscellaneous 711. Total, 5329 tons. ANNUAL MEETING. MR W. B. DIXON ELECTED CHAIRMAN. The annual meeting of the board was held immediately after the adjournment of the ordinary meeting. On the motion of Mr W. A. Ott, seconded by Mr C. S. Longuet, Mr W. B. Dixon was elected chairman. The chairman’s honorarium was fixed at the same as previously, namely, £lOO. It was decided to continue the system of holding the regular meetings of the board on the fourth Thursday of each month. Mr M. N. Hyndman moved that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to the retiring chairman for the able manner in which he had conducted the affairs of the board. In reply, Mr Aitken expressed his appreciation of the loyal co-operation of every member of the; board. He said fie could look back on his term as chairman with pleasant recollections 1 of harmonious meetings. ■

£ 3 d Wharfage dues .. .. .. . . 1766 18 3 Ship’s, .charges . 1665 ■19 . 9 :i Stewart Island service . . 166 11 8 Miscellaneous .. ... . .• . . 781 3 11 4380 13 7 April, 1929. £ 8 d Wharfage dues' .. .. . 1875 1 1 Ship’s' charges 1148 18 10 'Stewart Island service . 469 7 6 Miscellaneous . 2018 19 9 5512 7 2 The amounts outstanding on the board's books at closing time on April 30 were: £ . s d Wharfage dues 1989 9 11 Ship’s charges 107 13 0 Miscellaneous .. 293 10 10 2390 13 9 Expenditure: The total of the outgoings £5148 was made up as follows: £ s d Salaries and wages .. . 1605 0 0 Superannuation ... .. 197 0 0 1429 0 0 Tug Theresa Ward .. . 496 0 0 604 0 0 Telephones .. .. .. . 83 0 0 S.I. County Council tax . 58 0 0 Building repairs 33 0 0 Sundries .. . 643 0 0 5148 0 0 The credit in the board’s fund account at closing time on April 30 was £4427 6/4, made up as • Bluff (fixed deposit) .. . 2500 0 0 Bluff credit . 1171 1 0 Invercargill credit .. . . 756 5 4 4427 6 4

wharves for the month. Overseas. Total. Imports .. Exports .. Coastal, tons. .. 2158 . 1714 tons. 6149 3515 tons. 8307 5229 3872 9664 13,536