AUCKLAND'S DOCK. IT IS NOT OBSOLETE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19, 24 January 1911, Page 7

AUCKLAND'S DOCK. IT IS NOT OBSOLETE.

[BX TELBGHAPH — SPECIAL IO THE EOSr.} . AUCKLAND, This Day. I Mr. A. J. Entrican, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, 011 being interviewed regarding Mr. Wilford's criticism of the Calliope Dock, said i "We do not consider that Mr. Wilford's criticism is of any value, because he was never in ihe dock. The remarks he made are evidently ba6ed upon the copy of a report by the Union Company to the Harbour Board a few weeks ago, in which the conrpany advanced cortain reasons as to why they should get a refund in dock dues on bne of their vessels^ Tho subject matter of that communication is stale news to the people of Auckland, and has been before the board on two occasions. "As far as the pumps are concerned, it may bo mentioned that tenders have been called for new pumpe, and the caisuon will be docked 'and repaired during the time that they are being installed. Tenders will be returnable at the end_ of this month, and the work will, it is estimated, cost between £8000 and £10,000. The uumps are in quitegood order and repair. The time it takes to pump is, of course, entirely in proportion to the size of the vessel and the size of the dock. At present it frequently happens that the pumps havo to be stopped for tho clearing and (shoring of the vessel. Another point to he remembered is that when a very small vessel goes into a very large dock the pumping is a considerably Trigger contract. Our dock takes a vessel of 12,000 tons; when a vessel the size of the Atua goes in the pumping is naturally very considerable. "There is also the question of the depth of water on the sill of the dock. This dock provides an allowance of 35ft of water j consequently, when a vessel drawing only 16ft of water goes into a dock of this size there must be extra pumping. "Of course, we cannot altogether Dlamcj Mr. "Wilford for following this line of criticism, as he has an example to follow in the attitude of some of our own members. There is absolutely no justification, however, for the statement that there is anything obsolete about our dock. It iB in thorough good order and repair : In fact, to provide for the newer type of vessel that is being built, we have recently widened the bottom of tho dock, and we can now take any vessel that trades to Australasian .vaters."