Grain Silos Improved

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32214, 5 February 1970, Page 9

Grain Silos Improved

A new loading auger, now working, and planned improved access would make the grain silos at Lyttelton second to none, the deputy chairman (Mr J. Brand) reported to the Lyttelton Harbour Board yesterday. The new auger loaded grain, wheat and barley, from the dump pit to the silo at the rate of 200 tons an hour (instead of 75 tons an hour), the rate at which the grain could be loaded into the ships from the silo, the chief engineer (Mr J. B. Bushell) reported to the board. “It will shortly be possible to accept barley in one silo and wheat in the other in readiness for shipment, and with this situation provide from either silo a ship loading rate of 200 tons an hour,” Mr Bushell said.

He said that permission had been received from the Railways Department to go ahead with improved access to the silos. The department would not allow access across the railway lines, but the new

provisions would allow trucks to carry grain to the silos nose first and continue past the silos without having to reverse. The wire-splicing shed would be moved or demolished to make that possible and work was being treated as urgent, Mr Bushell said. Sir George Manning said it was pleasing to see the Railways Department co-operating so well with the board. Slipway.—The slipway for small boats at Naval Point was going ahead, but it was not a small job the chief engineer (Mr Bushell) reported to the board. The pile-driving had been completed, and the toilet block had been built and fittings were being installed. He couid give no specific completion date for the project. Third Roll-on Berth.—The Gladstone Pier, No. 3 roll-on berth, should be operating by October, Mr Bushel! reported. The pile-driving had progressed much better than he expected. More Staff.—The board's staff has been increased from 136 last year to 159 this year,

the additional number being workers engaged at the port. Taylor's Mls t a k e.—The board has agreed to the control of the foreshore at Taylor’s Mistake to be vested in the Christchurch City Council, and the council is applying for Marine Department approval and fixing of conditions of the control by the city. Fires On Foreshore.—The board, under a by-law, delegated authority to the Mount Herbert County Council to control the lighting of fires on the foreshore where it adjoins the county area wirhin the port limits. Mr A. H. Macfarlane said it was a sound, common-sense move, as the county had experienced difficulties in preventing the lighting of fires when the fire risk was high. Foot-And-Mouth Danger It would be a tragedy if foot-and-mouth disease ever got into Australia because different states had different regulations, and regulations differed in different areas of some states, in regard to the incineration of garbage at ports, the chief engineer (Mr J. B. Bushell) said at the Lyttelton Harbour Board meeting yesterday. The port authorities seemed to be waiting for a national lead on the question.

He was reporting on his recent visit to Australia, and added that Lyttelton was a long way ahead of many Australian ports in the safe and economic disposal of garbage Asked by a member if any economies could be made in the incineration of rubbish, Mr Bushel said that the matter was being investigated The problem was in the treatment of effluent to the satisfaction of the Department of Agriculture. He was awaiting confirmation from Britain that a method was satisfactory, because the board would not want to introduce it and then have to return to the present one.