HARBOR WORKS.

Evening Star, Issue 14965, 27 August 1912, Page 6

HARBOR WORKS.

THE ENGINEER'S REPORT.

The monthly report of the Otago Harbor Board's engineer (Mr J. Blair Mason) is as follows :

Dredging.—Dredge 222 is at present working in. the steamers' basin, where, the tongue whtii'f originally stood, on the bank off rliA swinging hmin and in the Victoria channel in the vicinity of pile 8. During the month of July the dredge removed 54.978 cubic yards from Kitchener street wharf, 2,499 cubic yards from the Victoria channel between piles 7 and 8, and 3.332 cubic yards from the vicinity of pile 8, making a total of 60.8C9 cubic yards, which were deposited at the Vulcan's pit at tho end of Victoria wharf. Dredge 404 is now working in tho Victoria channel, between piles 2 and 3. Durinsr the month of July the dredge removed 2,160 cubic yards from the steamers' basin, where the tongue wharf originally stood, 3.240 cubic yards from the Victoria channel between piles 2 and 3, 1.080 cubic yards from the vicinitv of pile 5. I,CBO cubic yards from tho vicinity of pile 10, and 12,600 cubic yards from the cross channel, Lower Harbor, making a total of 20,160 cubic yards, of which 2,160 cubic yards were deposited at the Vulcan's pit. 17,280 cubic yards inshore south of Harrinetev.i Point, and 720 cubic yards at son. Drrdce Vulcan : During the month of Julv 62.969 cubic yarde were deposited in the Vulcan's pit. 60,809 bv dredne 222 and 2 160 by dredge 404, all of which were pumped on to the reclamation south of Frederick street. The overflow from this area is beinj: trapped on the area north of Frederick street aaid in the Leit-h estuary. New Tug and Salvage Steamer.—Tho construction of the main engines is well forward. The principal parts have been forged, cast, and machined, and are in course of erection. As yet the contractors have no information to hand as to when the material for the hull is to be shipped. Heads AVorfo?.— Between the 13th July and 10th August the total output from the quarry was L 529 cubic yards, deposited as follows:—6o2 cubic yards at Black Jack wall. 75 cubic va.rds at groyne off No. 3 black pile, 852' cubic yards at groyne off No. 4 black pile, at a cost of Is lid per cubic vard for getting, and about 6d per cubic vard for tawing. r Various Works.—Sheds "K" and L, Birch street wharf, are now ready for use. Nothing now remains to be done except to finish off the fronting and to complete the verandah, which is well forward. _ Leitli Deviation.—Seventy-four reinforced concrete piles have been made during August, making a. total number to date o[ 654° piles. Arrangements are now in hand to extend the pilemakmg area, and thus increase the output. Victoria channel piles: Red piles Nos. 1, 2, and 3, and black pile No 3 are beinc redriven. Lower Harbor : Red beacon No. 2 has been completed, and red piles Nos. 2 and 5 redriven. Dock Crane Foundations.—l he mam reinforced concrete beam has been completed, and the rails put m position. The lavin" of tho rails on the dock side is well "forward, and will be. completed in about 10 days from date. The crane will arrive by the Essex, and on arrival the contractors will at once put in hand its erection, and expect to complete that task in three months. Harbor Master's Office.—.l he site for the harbor master's office is being excavated at Observation Point. Port Chalmers. The material is bomg loaded into punts, which arc discharged on the line of the wall between cement works and Black Jack Point. , Black Jack Wall.—The Railway Department has in hand the putting in of the diamond crossing and the erection of tho necessary si<;palling arrangements. A start has been made to'get the material on the ground for tho erection of the necessary buildings. Arrangements have been made for the" supply o: 15 tons of rails for this job, and the necessary crossings are being made in the board'.- workshop. South Endowment Rubble Wall.—Preliminary 'arrangements for opening up Sunshine quarry are well in' hand. Arrangements for" the supply of 25 tons of rails for this job have been made with the Railway Department, and the work of levelling off for building sites and the laying off the necessary tracks will be put in hand this week

On Saturday, the 10th August, the Works Committee made a visit of inspection of eastern channel jetties and works at Port Chalmers Members were the guests of Mr Garden, who kindly _ placed his launch at their disposal—a kindness much appreciated bv all. General.—The usual maintenance repairs have been effected to wharves, sheds, and floating plaiit. Lake Logan.—Prices have been asked for the supply and installation of a 300 b.h.p. motoi-,' etc., for the above work. The intention is to install this motor on the Vulcan, and put the present motor ashore in a shore pumping station situated in the vicinity of Palmer's quarry. Survevs are now being made and plans prepared to enable the reclamation of Lake Logan to be put in hand as soon as possible.