HARBOUR LAUNCH

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 46, 7 August 1939, Page 5

HARBOUR LAUNCH

LARGER PROPELLOR RECOMMENDED - ENGINE IN WONDERFUL ORDER At Friday's meeting of the Whakatane Harbour Board the harbourmaster's report was read detailing work on the launch and the results of the annual survey. Captain,Carey recommended that a propellor a lit-* tie larger than the present one should be obtained, as it would make the launch handier in going astern. C. H. Brebner supported this opinion . Mr McGougan suggested that the builders should be consulted before a bigger propellor was obtained, and Mr Sumner agreed. It was agreed to write to the build ers and the engineers and enquire whether a new propellor could be fitted satisfactorily without placing undue strain on the engine. Cap'tain Carey's report continued that he sounded the bar before and after vessels sailed, and the Northern Company's agent wired Auckland so that the vessel could be loaded accordingly. There had been, an average depth of seven feet on the bar during the month. Mr Sumner said that Captain Carey had made 24 excursion trips in 26 weeks. He thought this was very good. Mr Sumner added that the annual survey had been satisfactory. The engine was in particularly good condition. He had seen it when dismantled and he had never seen an engine look so well. The pistons were like mirrors, and the valves were quite clean. Mr McGougan said there was a lot in the way a man ran a boat. When the annual survey was completed the department's main requirement was that a buoyant ap--paratus be the cost of which would be approximately £12.