OAMARU HARBOUR WORKS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23536, 14 January 1942, Page 3

OAMARU HARBOUR WORKS

* BREAKWATER CONSTRUCTION TO CONTINUE The Oamaru Harbour Board, at its monthly meeting yesterday morning, decided to continue the breakwater extension work for another three months, up to March 31, 1942, with a reduced staff. Mr G. A Lee (consulting engineer) submitted a report on the quarry and breakwater works, with proposals for carrying on. The construction of concrete blocks on the breakwater extension, which had been subjected to heavy seas, had proved that this method of construction was giving very satisfactory results. Mr Lee submitted proposals for the reorganisation of the work with a reduced staff, with which reasonable progress should be made. An estimate of the financial position of the board as at March 31, based on carrying on the work on these lines, showed that the cash position would be £4005 in credit, as against £4670 at the beginning of January. The extension was now giving substantial protection to the harbour entrance, at this stage, stated Mr Lee. it would be a pity to stop the work with the quantity of stone now available. , Mr R. K. Ireland (chairman), who presided at the meeting, reviewed in detail the proposals for reducing and reorganising the staff, and stated that the breakwater extension was very important in the progress of the port. It was desirable to keep the work going, even at a reduced pace, and if continued it would steadily improve the sheltered area for dredging the harbour entrance. The offers of Mr Lee to continue his services as consulting engineer for the next three months without fee, and of Mr Ireland to forgo the chairman s honorarium were accepted with thanks and appreciation was expressed by board members of their action, and also of the co-operation and assistance given by the quarry foreman (Mr J. Lehany). . A report from the Bluff Harbour Board suggesting the formation of a South Island Dredging Board, which would own and operate all dredging plant for the benefit of the six associated harbour boards, was received, the chairman stating that the report was very valuable, and Oamaru could not afford to be left out of any such scheme. The board agreed to a representative attending a conference on the matter.