ELECTRIC SLIP OPENED.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 304, 20 December 1912, Page 2

ELECTRIC SLIP OPENED.

A new slipway, operated by electricity has been erected on the Freeman's Bay reclamation for Messrs A. Henderson and Sons. and was formerly opened at 2.30 yesterday afternoon. In the prus-nce of a lame gathering, which included Messrs J. H. Ounson (Chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board), W. H. Hamer lenginet-ri. J. E Taylor. H. H. Adams, and Heather (members of the Hoard), and Mi-Kenzie (foreman of works). The occasion of the opening was the repair of the ketch Waro, and the ceremony of starting the electric hauling machinery was performed by Miss Minnie Henderson, of Mangere, who was afterwards presented by Mr J. E. Taylor (on behalf of Messrs Henderson nnd Son) with a handsome silver inkstand, bearing an inscription commemorating the event. The new slip has been erected largely of reinforced con- j crete. which has also been used fct . the foundations of the hauling machinery. The motive potver is furnished by a Bruce- 1 Peebles electric motor, installed by Mr A. j B. Cannell, of Auckland. The winch is ! capable of hauling up a vessel in twenty-five minutes, whereas with hand power, seven; men, working bard, wonld take two hours and a half to accomplish the same result, j It Is hoped that when a few minor altera-1 tions have been made, the working of the] slip will be made even more rapid. The! slip is the first of the kind so far erected i in tho Dominion, the others in Auckland being operated by steam and hand powet", Electricity has certain manifest advantages . over other sources of rower for the purpose, as the winch is seldom operated for longer than half an hour at a time, while the repairs to a vessel after it is hauled up may occupy many days or even weeks.