Two Cameras Will Record Floats Outside Estuary

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30442, 16 May 1964, Page 14

Two Cameras Will Record Floats Outside Estuary

Aerial comeras on Scarborough and Clifton hills will record the behaviour of five floats to be dropped outside the estuary tonight at full tide.

The behaviour of the floats would provide, important field data required for the building of an exact model of the estuary now being constructed in England, said the engineer in charge of the operation (Mr R. F. Power) yesterday.

The galvanised iron floats, each 6ft long and 6in in diameter, will be dropped outside the bar by the Sumner life-boat just after 6 pun., and collected again six hours later. During the time they are in the water their movements will be recorded by the cameras, which will take shots every quarter hour-. Two-way radio sets will be used by the parties on the hills to ensure that the photographs are taken at the same time. Each float will be equipped

with a light run from a battery.

The observations will give information concerning the flushing movement of water as it comes out of the estuary to the sea. The run was being carried out at night, as the sea was calmer, Mr Power said. A further test will be carried out on Sunday between 9.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. During this run, theodolites will be used to observe the movement of the floats. The work is being done by H. G. Wards and Solomon Company for the Christchurch Drainage Board. The observations will be the third and fourth in a series of six designed to gain information concerning water movement.

If a man cannot sing as he carries his cross he had better drop it.—Havelock Ellis.