COST OF REPAIRS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 219, 12 June 1933, Page 8

COST OF REPAIRS

Damaged Golden Harvest CONTRACT TO BE LET Keen Tendering Expected LABOUR DISPUTE SETTLED A complete survey of the damage to the American steamer Golden Harvest was completed in the floating dock during the week-end. Specifications of the repairs required are being prepared for submission to tile firms tendering for the contract.

Reports of the damage have been cabled to the owners of the ship, who will decide whether complete or temporary repairs will be carried out at Wellington. It is understood that two sets of specifications are being prepared for tenders, one covering full and the other temporary repairs.

It is estimated that complete repairs to the ship's hull will cost at least £9OOO and will take four weeks to carry out. Temporary repairs to make the ship seaworthy and enable her to complete her voyage, will, it is stated, cost £l7OO and occupy about two weeks. It is expected that there will be verykeen competition amongst tenderers to secure the contract for repairs, whether temporary or permanent. In addition to two well-known Wellington firms, it is understood that at least one Auckland firm and one Dunedin firm will tender for the job. Since the Golden Harvest has been on the dock, the work of clearing her holds to enable the damage to be got at from the inside has been going on. The electric crane on the outer wall of the dock has been employed to discharge the logs of timber, which are dumped into the water alongside the dock, where they are made into rafts. The logs are fastened together by means of wires, and the rafts are moored in the bay at the northern end of the dock. A settlement had been reached in the dispute with the waterside workers which caused a hold-up of discharging operations last Monday. Details of the terms of settlement have not been announced, but It is understood that the men have been conceded and have accepted an advance in pay less than that demanded by them.