WHARF AT CHATHAM ISLANDS.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20905, 12 July 1933, Page 17

WHARF AT CHATHAM ISLANDS.

♦ GOOD PROGRESS BEING MADE. "I am very well satisfied with the progress being made with the wnarf and I expect that the work will.be completed about the end of the year," said Mr B. V. Rope, principal of the Rope Construction Company, Auckland, the contractors for the wharf at Waitangi, Chatham Islands. Mr Rope arrived at Lyttelton last evening by the Tecs, after paying a visit of inspection to the work. He said that about three-quarters of the road leading from the present landing place to the approach of the wharf had been completed. Eighty-four piles had been driven for the wharf, including the foundation piles for the wharf-shed. This portion had been decked, and the erection of the shed would be commenced this week. About half the oiles had been driven between the shed site and the T which was to be constructed at the end of the wharf, the total distance for which piles had been driven being 200 feet. Mr Rope raid the weather at times was bitterly cold, and on some days the men were unable to work because of that. "It has been stated by those who professed to know, that any wharf built at Waitangi would be swept away by the heavy seas that prevail there at times," said Mr Rope, "but after inspecting the part that has already been constructed, and particularly the ground into which the piles have been driven, 1 am satisfied that there is no danger of that occurring. It is going to be a first-class job." A member of the construction gang, Mr F. Jeeves, who had two fingers of one of his hands badly injured while working on the wharf, returned by the Tees to have his hand X-rayed and treated. Another member of the party returned owing to sickness.