NEW METHOD OF DREDGING.

Gisborne Times, Volume L, Issue 5137, 1 April 1919, Page 7

NEW METHOD OF DREDGING.

JOHN TOWNLEY TO BE CONVERTED TO FRUEHLING SYSTEM.

EIGHT TIMES MORE WORK ANTICIPATED.

The question of converting the John Townley into a Fruehling dredge was discussed at the meeting of the Harbor Board yesterday, when reports by Captain Carson and Mr. Leslie Reynolds setting out the results of their investigations on a recent trip south were read.

Captain Carson, in the course of liis report, said he was of the opinion that when studying the question of maintenance dredging and taking everything into consderation, a dredge of the Fruehling type would give good results and under normal conditions would maintain fair water at the entrance—sufficient to enable the passenger tender and the lighters to work the port at any state of the tide.

A report on the proposed conversion of the John Townley was submitted by Mr. Leslie Reynolds, consulting engineer. Mr. Humphreys suggested that as this was a most important matter and the cost was going to be very considerable, the report should be referred to the Works Committee. He would move to that effect. Mr. Oman seconded the motion pro forma, but pointed out that by referring the report to the Works Committee they were going to delay action for another month.

Mr. Birrell: The question is: Can the John Townley be converted into a Fruehling dredge. The Chairman (Mr. F. J. Lysnar) : It can, on the expenditure set out in the report.

Mr. Toinbleson said that one unsatisfactory part of the report was that which suggested a difficulty in getting oil engines.

The Chairman said the unanimous opinion of the qpmmittee was that the Fruehling system was the best. The whole question was one of machinery. After a flood the river could be opened in tgn days to a fortnight' against two or three months with the present system. Mr. Preston: If there is going to be any difficulty about getting the necessary machinery it will be impossible to get a new dredge for some months to come. The Harbormaster: Yes.

Replying to Mr. Humphreys, Mr. Reynolds said the John Townley would do 800 tons a day if converted, compared with 100 tons as at present. In answer to Mr. Birrell, .who asked if the conditions at Timaru in which Mr. liaynolds was basing his conclusions were not different to those at Gisborne, Mr. Reynolds said they were practically the same. Mr. , Humphreys asked if the groynes were going to have such an effect on the entrance after a flood that dredging would not be necessary. Mr. Reynolds: Banking at the entrance after a flood is to be expected up to 4 feet. The groynes were intended to keep the river dear in the upper reaches. Mr. Preston said the chief trouble at present was about 1000 feet at the bank where the Tuatea lay last night and where the water had A depth of from 5 feet to sft 6 inches. He had hoped that they might get rid of that 1000 feet with a big flood but this idea was not encouraged by the engineer. If they could clear away that bank the proposed outlay would, he had no doubt, be a good investment. He for one would say, let them get to work and do something. To have 200 passengers stuck up on the Tuatea as happened on Sunday night was simply heartbreaking. Mr. Humphreys said that while the reports on account of the importance of the matters dealt with should be referred to the Works Committee there was no reason why they should wait for a month before taking action. The committee could meet as early as they pleased and a special meeting of the Board could be held.

Mr. Preston said that while he regretted the necessity for the alteration in the John Townley, they could not go on from year to year as at present. Mr. Mouat said it seemed to bim that the engineer could give no guarantee that the John Townley if converted would be a success. The whole thing was in the air. There was nothing tangible in it. Mr. Preston said he did not care how the work was done so long as they did it. Mr. Humphreys said he would withdraw his motion if something better could be put forward. Mr. Toinbleson moved that the' engineer proceed with the preparations of plans and his inquiries at once.

Mr. Reynolds said he was quite satisfied that the John Townley could he made into a serviceable machine and that she could he made to put into her hoppers 100 tons an hour. It would take him at least a month to make his designs and obtain the necessary information. It would take, after that, about three or four months to convert her and within six months they should have her working. The whole of the alterations could be made hire. ' If ’they wanted an assistant and other advice there was no man in New Zealand better than Mr. McGregor of Dunedin. Mr. Mouat asked if it. would not he better to get a vessel with a lighter draft for tendering purposes. Mr. Preston: Where are you going tQf.get.her. Such a vessel could 'hot* b^'Vorkfi' 5 ' - ! 7. Replying. ■ 'Tombleson, V SffidSiv <weuld not jib-- -sdfe, to send? th 6 'JTqwniey Dunedin for the alterations, • ■: Mr. Preston said the question waiswhether if they decided to go on with the work, they coild get the neccssary*»tnaferialß. iCMrCßtesnoldsv in rerih to a furUher h el, ion, said., the boiler

Mr. Tombleson asked if the engineer would not give them something before six months. Mr. Humphreys asked if a drag could not be attached to the John TWnley so that the silt could be loosened and carried out by the tide. Mr. Reynolds; You would not shift t per cent. It would not be possible ,o make temporary alterations so as to afford relief before six months. Mr. Mouat: What is the idea—to provide means for passengers getting in and out? The Chairman said they wanted to make it possible for vessels of light draught to work the harbor. Mr. Lewis asked if they could have some guarantee that for the £SOOO they vere going to get something more than an experiment. Mr. Reynolds said lie was positive about the success of the scheme. He did not go in for experiments. Mr. Lewis: On that advice there is nothing for the Board to do but to go through with it. Captain Carson, in reply to the Chairman, said he thought they should secure the services of Mr. McGregor. The whole trouble was in the boiler power. Mr. Preston: What do you think of the boiler power, Mr. Reynolds? Mr. Reynolds: I believe that we can do it, and Mr. McGregor’s indication is higher than mine. It was resolved that the Board should obtain the services of Mr. McGregor to confer with Mr. Leslie Reynolds and Captain Carson. The secretary was instructed to communicate with Mr. McGregor at once hy telegram.

SHOULD SHE BE SOLD?

After the Harbor Board had decided yesterday to convert the John Townley into a Fruehling dredge the question arose as to what hould be done with the Maui. The Chairman aid be had brought the matter before the Hon. T. M. Wilford who had promised to let the Board know if it came to his knowledge that any other Board required such a dredge. He (Mr. LySnar) had since received a telegram stating that Motueka wanted a dredge and asking for particulars. He had replied asking Mr. Wilford to name the price they were prepared to give and stating that the plans and specifications of the dredge could be seen at the Nelson Board’s office. No reply had been received. Continuing, Mr. Lysnar Mild that they had been advised that with an outer harbor a dredge bbe the Maui would be required but not for seven or eight years. He thought it would be better to sell the Maui now and with the proceeds they would probably be able to buy an up-to-date dredge for the outer harbor when one was required. Mr. Toinbleson said it would cost £2OOO to replace her buckets. The Chairman said that Canton Carson did not favor selling. 'Jhe Maui was worth £35,000. The committee had discussed hiring her out but had arrived at nothing final. Mr. Preston pointed out that before the Maui could be leased several thousands of pounds would have to he spent in putting her in order. On the motion of Mr. Tombleson the committee was asked to go into the question of putting a price on the dredge.