HARBOUR BOARD JAUNT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 34, 17 March 1914, Page 8 (Supplement)

HARBOUR BOARD JAUNT.

TBIE Rp S UNn THE HARBOUR. Yesterday afternoon the Lyttelton Harbour- Board made- its annual <^xcur-, sion* round the harbour. Tile' greydrizzle of the day promised small enjoyment, and of the many who were invited few accepted. Still: the day was not without its pleasure, and its interest even though the day was gloomy. The tug * i Lyttelton' * left the, wharves at about two o 'clock " and sailed to the cattle wharves, where the reclamation works that are to add 75 acres to the board's property are in progress. 1 The suction dredge Canterbury lay'alongside the wharf to discharge its load of . liquid mud, and the party had an opportunity of seeing the operation^ Several members of the party embarked on the Canterbury, and went out into the channel to watch the operations. Between the bifurcated ■ stern ' the great pipes which suc-k up the- silt from the harbour bed, were lowered. There was a rattle of machinery as the tubes were lowered to the bottom, and then a steady roar, as the silt, under high pressure, was. forced in torments into the tanks that form thejiold of the dredge. Very rapidly she filled, and as she filled her lower decks sank nearer to the level of the water. "Nine hundred and ten tons of silt, and 350 tons of water when she's, full,"- said the engineer. She is to the . cattle wharf, where once more the pumps are set to discharging her.' The party then -returned; to the " Lyttelton," and the eourse was set for < Diamond Harbour* where the guests were shown over the grounds acquired by the Harbour Board. The residence above the pine-elad hill-sides has also been acquired by the board, and is conducted as an accommodation house. Round about the board proposes to build cottages, planning them ami laying out the grounds somewhat ill the mariner of a garden suburb. Eventually* it isTioped; a self-Contained suburb of. Lyttelton -will - aris^here., After}>making & thorough inspection of the prbperty.the,. party.: rettt?ned"Vq the' ' Lyttelton, " where refreshments were served, and a return to Lyttelton' waa made.