THE HARBOR BATTLE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 10473, 31 December 1927, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE HARBOR BATTLE

O- —— 1 KING SILT WINS FIRST ROUND, j OVER £1,000,000 “GOES WEST” j IX INNER HARBOR. j

WHY NEW HARBOR WAS i UNDERTAKEN.

According to an official review of harbor matters from 1880 to 1918 (inclusive) the normal depth on the bar was from three to four feet at. low water before any local harbor works were commenced. The Board was anxious to improve matters to meet the requirement that was being then urgently feit, and m December, 1880, the Board engaged Sir John Coodc to submit a scheme and report. He submitted a scheme for an island harbor with an open viaduct and land approach, to eastward of the river. He stated that “having regard to the great c-xtcm. of sanav beach within the bay, extending in fact for several nules to the southward ot the town and river entrance, and also to tlie aspect anu exposure of tlie bay itself, lie aas unable to recommend any solid structure between the shore and the line of three fathoms in low water, leoljn<r assured as he did that a ser.ous amount of sanding up on the inner or western side woulu mentally toilow and to an extent, that to say the least, would be highly prejudie.nl to the present river entrance and t > the utilisat’un of the new «o.K. In July, 1885, the Board engaged Air. John Thompson as its engined. He prepared plans for the river scheme, and went to Wellington t.» interview tlie Government J'.iiguicer-in-Chief, Air. Blackett. He then returned tu Gisborne and prepared a second set of plans of what v.as known is the Stony Point scheme. These were sent to Wellington ««m----the Government had both ot All. Thompson s schemes betoie them •i-' the same time.

£200,000 FOR RIVER SCJIF.AIF

The Government adopted the r.vcv scheme. ._ , , The £200,000 loan was raised, ana in 1886 the breakwater was proceeded with under the direction oi . Air. Thompson upon a site not origina.lj recommended by S.r Jobu Loik.c, whose scheme was the basis upon which leg.station was passed and i.ie loan sanctioned by tlie ratepayers. The sc acme of Sir .John boode was altered hy shifting the s.te Irom beyond the ricir.itv oi the Boat Harbor to the actual’ month of the river, and also hy solid construction lrom the shore ior a considerable distance instead of open work. Up to c.eiobei that year about £20,000 nad been expended. , in j. 688, owing to agitiu on l.y the residents, headed by Air. W. J. ; Rees, who strongly urged constiuet.cn o. an outer harbor at Stony Point, the Government sent Mr. AV. P. Higgmson to report on the two schemes, and he reported that thei authorised scheme was prepared by the Boards Engineer alter careful enquiry into the 0 merits of the different proposals and having regard to the funds at at his disposal, and was approved by the Government. . Air. Higginson advised that Mr Rees’ scheme or Air. Thompson’s Stony Point scheme would he the most suitable to accommodate the largest vessels in any weather, the cost being stated as not less than £300,000 for either; but it on the other hand, a smaller class ot vessel was to be provided ior, drawing from jo to 17 feet, at an expenditure o. £175,000 only, the already authorised river scheme was the best suited.

DEPARTURE FROAI COODE plan

Then a"a in in 1890 the Government sent Air. C. Y. O’Connor to report outlie works under construction. He stated that it was much to he regret- | ted that at any rate the principle indicated in Sir John Goode s design was not adhered to, namely an open viaduct reaching for some cons-uei-able distance from the shore .me with a more or less enclosed basin at the end of it. He said that, briefly stated, this principle meant simply takiim a hint from nature. After fullv dealing with the phases o, tlie river, he again indicated regret that the main principle of Sir Joiin Coode’s design was departed from, and that, moreover, a distinctly less satisfactory site was adopted, and further that under the then existing conditions, ho recommended the eree-tion-of a wall 2450 ft in length out oil the line of Customhouse street. The Board erected 1100 feet of tlie breakwater at the cost of £IOo,COO out of the loan, to which amount the Government restricted the expenditure. This terminated at a- point where there were soundings of from 19 to 14 feet at low water before the mole was constructed, and there was then that depth of water at its extreme end and at its east side; but a. sand spit liad been formed along its west or harbor s*de which had reduccd the depth available for navigation to from 2 to 3 feet at low water, as against the normal depth ot 3~ to 4 feet at low water. Before completion of the breakwater a 200 feet length of groyne was erected hr Air. Thompson, commencing about 450 feet down from the prelent entrance at the AYaikanue stream.

MENACE OF SAND AND AIfJD

In October. 1892. the Board eugaged Air. Napier Bell to report on the .prospects for improving the harbor within the means at the disposal <>r tlie Beard, with the balance ot lean j inonev remaining. He reported that. / the site selected for the works and i tlie design of them was not suitable j for their intended purposes, and even j if money had been available to carrv out the designed scheme, it would . have failed before it would have been . completed; and further, that anvtlving that: could now lie done to -utilise the existing work and improve-, tKg had conditions of-the'port, labor- , ed under the disadvantage of being placed on this unfavorable site. He stated that the proximity of tlie river carrying sand and must make any work unsafe that is con-

structed near it, and as it would he out of the question to think of spending a large sum of money in attempting to make improvements on a large scale by utilising the present work, the only alternative was to make use of the river itself and improve it on the small scale to which it lent itself. After carefully dealing with the , tidal capacity, he recommended that j under the then existing conditions tlie j construction or a wail on the west j side of the channel to confine the ti- ; dal currents and keep the drift sands ■ of tlie AVaikanae beach on tlie west side and trusting to the action of the prevailing southerly seas to keep the sand brought down the river in floods to the west side of the wall. He further dealt with the danger to navigation owing to the confined area, and indicated that not more than 5 or G feet could be maintained, and that occasional dredging would need to be resorted to. He recommended the purchase oi a suction dredge or sand pump. Subsequent extensions to the western training wall or groyne, up and down .stream, were eventually carried out. In 1899 Air. Napier Bell was again engaged and he recommended the purchase of a dredge.

I’URCHASE OF THE “JOHN TOWNLI'IY.”

Tlie Board then decided to secure a dredge, and the “John lownley” was the outcome —built by Andersens’ t.f Lytte’tunder the supervLion of Air. John Khig, who had succeeded Mr. Thompson as the Board’s Engineer. This dredger failed in roping with the sand deposits, and in ] 004 Mr. L. 11. Reynolds was engaged by the Board to report with regard to improving the system of dredging together with one or two suggestions upon the proposed further extension of the western training, wall He recommended that for general and economic working, the “John Tov.nlcy” should lie fitted with a sand pump in addition to the crane and grab ; and under the existing circumstances to save the position aiid increase the scour, that sluice gates lie constructed below the junction of the livers to operate on the lower reach of the harbor. He also strongly urged the Board not to attempt an extension of the groyne. In 1.906 Air. Reynolds was again engaged hy the Board, and he reported again recommending the erection of the sluice gates at’-d recommended narrowing the Turanganui hy oreet'on of a wall on the Haiti side, limiting the r'vor to a width of 250 feet. The Burr! erected the Kaiti breast-work—-not in a cel dance with this recommendation—out to a much greater width. In Jute. 19(16. the Ibinl engaged Mr. F. AV. Alarcliant lo report upon how best to improve the rrcsent harbor entrance and its conditions as to range, etc. lie edvbed that the only temporary expedient. -'or achieving some improvement in the entrance lo decrease the dancer of the cross seas affecting the navigation, was to construct a series of small wave traps along the western training wall. Tins was'adopted and the material ordered but the work was never carried out. In connection with the serious danger at tlie entrance to navigation, and after much pressure and consid-

eration of tlie question, an attempted solution, propounded by Air. Spencer, an engineer, cuts were made in the groyne. These pi-oved anything bin. effectual and were a menace to the stability of the structure. They were refillecTand the openings restored to the original condition as no benefit whatever had resuited.

SCHEME FOR OUTER HARBOR

As a result of representation by a strong and influential deputation, ! the Board again engaged Mr. March- ' ant to report upon an outer_ harbor scheme. In I'ohruary, liijf, Mr. Mar: bant iep' Moil. r reommaiKi ng a breakwater harbor at Pah Kill. Tb s scheme was submitted to Messrs. Coode, Son and -Matthews by the Bunid. anti wrs rrpiTti-d upon by Mr. Wilson, of that firm. ]i« t’ne following year Mr. Marcnaut’s scheme and Messrs. v/ooue. ror and Matthews’ report suggesting modification o" same, were submitted to Mr. Reynolds for his opinion ns to the better of tlie two st-liemes, and i be was asked to advise as to thejrest site for an onto- harbor. Mr. Reynolds reported iliac of these two schemes he preferred Mr. Mar li ant’s Mo. 1 to that of Messrs. Coociv. Son and MattheiVs, but lie stated that he d’d not consider the area oi cither as sulficierit for navigation during bad weather, nor. 'or suitable d net ion of seeiul or wave undulation due to heavy seas or swell. Ho advised that after -having, thiiroiigbly eousidered the . question from information obtn’ned from various plans and data supplied, he endorsed the site as suggested hy Mr. Mar eh ant as the 'Lest offering, with amendments as to the exnst position and area of enclosed harbor. He also ex—

tensivciy dealt with the various phases and aspects. . T n !!)L7 the Enabling Bill was passed authorising the raising of £400,000 for the construction of an outer harbor within the limits of Nick's Hoad and Tuahine Point. This power is still in force, hut the ratepayers’ approval would be necessary.

THE MAUI ORDERED

In March, 19G0, the Board.cunsnlted Mr. Bln key, representative for Messrs. Simon and Co., of Scotland, as to the most suitable dredge for dredging the river and removing the rock without blasting. After a guarantee from Mr. Blakey and his advice to secure a combined bucket and ladder dredge with suction pipes to the capacity of about 100 tons, costing about £32,000, the Board placed an order. This machine was constructed as ordered and arrived here in Mav, 1010. He l- 00-t delivered was £34,500, and her hopper capacity was about 400 tons on a

draught of lift 3in, with 20 tons o! coal in hunkers. The ladder was capable of working to a depth of 28 feet. As soon as possible after-ar-rival the machine was placed in working order, and after tests in the river under the jtu isdictioii of Messrs (I. Grant and A. F. .Matthews, C.E.’s, was taken otcr by the Board. Dredging in the upper portion of the r.ver with the use of wooden barges specially constructed at a cost of about' £2OOO, w;:s tommcncod. The weather conditions at that period were favorable, ow:ng % to the absence of Hoods, consequently good progress was made both with the day and papa rock, some of tlio latter of which was blasted. This enabled a channel to be tjunial from No. 3 shed to end of breakwater to a width of 120 feet and 16 ieet at low water. The dredging proceeded, and considerable overtime was worked to accelerate the progress. On 22ml May, 1911, Mr. Holmes, Government Engineer-in-Chief, at the request of the Board, conferred with them on the question of harbor improvements, particularly with the view of overcoming the action of Uncross seas in the channel during southerly weather. After fully going into the question lie recommended that the simplest way was tn remove about 150 feet of tbo training wall—but before attempting such to. consider fully the future development of the port, in order to cope with the I entrance danger he recommended the | extension of the breakwater by 200 feet, which work was subsequently let by tender, and carried out. lie also submitted a scheme for a harbor on the Waikanae side.

RIVER HARBOR AT ITS ZENITH

In 1912 Use sprvi.cs of Mr. J. A. McDonald were obtained an Kng'neer and secretary to the Board, and the widening and deepening work was continued under his supervision. A lengthy period of immunity from excessive rain also ass.sting matters, the condition of the river was so. satisfactory that a ferry service,v.as inaugurated hv the Union S-S. Co. with the Taka puna, which vessel had to an extent to study the tidal condit'ons for working. Numbers of cargo steamers and colliers a’so were enabled to come un to the wharves and load and discharge, both at the town and Kaiti sides of the liver. In view of the continued satisfactory eond.t ons of the river the Board authorised the Engineer, Mr. J. A. McDonald, in 1912 to prepare a oompychcnsive scheme with plans and estimates to develop the river to its utmost capacity-. He submitted a report to the Board recommending an expenditm e of £107.000. Jn 1913. upon this recommendation, the Board obtained the passim/ of an Enabling Bill to borrow £20,030 (£75,000 to pay balance of existing loan, £18:000 to redeem bank overdraft, and £lO/ .000 for new works). This was snhh.tted to the ratepayers and adopted. Hie total contracts let to Messrs. Banglands and Co. for breakwater extensions amounted to £37,C:6. including extras. Blasting work was commenced and dredging continued in order to demonstrate the river advantages. In 1914 the new loan of £200,000 was raised in London through the Union Bank, at a cost of £6105 Is sd. exclusive of legal expenses (the original dotation in ]BBS, including legal expenses, costing £4400).

FLOODS DAMAGE HARBOR

During 1915 the dredging and other work was continued in the r ver. and also during 1916. This hitter year experienced the heaviest rainfall hitherto recorded in the district, and between Mnv and () ty'-'y " ies of floods occurred s ltwey the river to a depth of onlv 4 ft 6m i-j the channel, where e-evio sly existed 10ft at low water. This serious phase

caused the Board grave anxiety, and special efforts were made with the ‘•Ma li" working long overtime with the buckets to cope with the riisnsi trotis posit : ou experienced. Three J separate attempts to clear a channel | to a width of HA) feet ami r 'i -pth jgh :;:2 even le-; than tie ;■ ' .;• i feel proved tr-ri’r, as :'-e : of dreug.ng nearly : 00i) 1 1 aa - . i-'iv-:ly obliterated by successive Hoods. : In July, 1916. in view o‘ tiie ■--rii.nlposition the Engineer of the Board (Mr. McDonald) also submitted a report on the river silting. Alter a lengthy treatise he recommended the p rc-hase of a specially designed -hallow draught suction dredge ef ••’bout •5 or 6 feet, without hopper-, ill- material pumped to 1-e cmiu-yi i t> sea on the ebb tide velocity. i' dredge w-as to be d signed a,t«*r he- i raiding type, and was eventually to supersede the “Maui." the pos.non remained sc serious that m tit sperini consideration was necessary, and after considerable discussion, on the strong recommendation of the Engineer, Mr. McDonald, pumping instead of dredging by buckets v.as inaugurated. The silting, however, continued, and became so serious that the draught- of the dredge was •too great, and on tiie recommendation of Nil-. McDonald, the buckets were removed from the ladder, which thus lightened the draught. At this stage the Board decided to call in outside engineering advice, and Mr. IV. Ferguson was engaged to report on the silting question. In December, 1916, he reported to tiie Board, recommending continuing the existing pumping operations #n the ebb tide, in accordance with the idea oi Mr. McDonald, for a short period. Mr. Ferguson also strongly condemned the river for any permanent development and affirmed that suc-li could only he used for very shallow draught vessels and he f rthcr suggested the construction of an outer harbor, the sine to he determined upon after careful examination ot trade requirements, probable cost and revenue.

DREDGING PROVES FRUITLESS.

The diedging results, meanwhile were not at all beneficial, and tile Board in 1017 derided to engage Mr. L. 11. Reynolds to collaborate w u. tiie Beard’s Engineer, Mr. Macßotta'd. In August, 191 1 , a joint report on pumping and barber matters was supplied by Mes:-rs. Reynolds and Mellon aid. Mr. Mr Donald having severed his connection wirii the Board, Mr. 1.. 11. Re\iiokls ( nus then engaged to advise on the question of immediate relict. Tie toudemued the override pump-lug back into the-riv-er. a:ul rc commended the lightening of the “Maui” by removal of the 'ladder and other weights, and the caulking of hopper, to enable inure satisfactory flotation. The vessel I was sent to Auck ami iar this purpose, after consultation with Mr. McGregor, of Dunedin, regarding the pumping equipment recommended !>v Mr. Ret nolds Tlr.i was done in October, 1917, and in November she loiuiuen■ecl ami continue 1 salistactorv pumping over the break wale". Ino Harbormaster. however, a itw wp/o.ks later ie;:u; led that oii iug to iuvtiler floods ail the ’—irk .it- compiidied ha ! again been obliterated, reducing the depth hack to 4 feet. Pumping was again resumed and continued over the breakwater, and the “Maui” had out by February 191 S, a channel 1200 feet from the entrance upstream to Bto 9 feet deep. Farther serious

floods and very had weather '’uni.itions militated against succe-s.ul continuance and seriously hamper, -p the dredging work, causing a luri.iei reversion to the four Sect dept l .. Air. Reynolds, in addition to hay K commendations regard'ng ‘'Maui’ ing, also advised the const;urtr.a three groynes placed .in certain p ■>> tions to narrow the liver and r : ('renter scour. This was adopt--: >y the Board, and tenders we e called—that of -Mr. J. A. Nicol for £.l being considerably the lowest, was accepted, and the work . immed sues? put in hand, special .cffoits to ft once secure the necessary Austramm timber were successfully made. • ' position being so acute, great p en_interest became pronounced. r>‘many voluntary suggestions tendered l)v members of the community vern sent to the Board. These one wipers subsequently invited were reportod upon bv Messrs. MeDonrj.u jnu* Reynolds. ‘The heavy overt im - a used by having to study'tidal coin! nous and “the almost negligible results u>r the enormous outlay 7, compelled tiie Board to seriously review tne position, as the financial strain was rapidly reaching a crisis. The value of the lightened draught ban been seriously discounted hv lhe repeated freshes causing such acrunrum lions that- only about an hour’s work on each tide was possible. The dreegmg costs when investigated revealed an

enormous expenditure for j-ra -tl.a 1 no results, and in June, tiie impossible position was faced an * tiie dredge placed out of coniniivsic a.

NEW' INNER-OUTER HARBOR SCHEME

In February, 191 S. during the residence of Mr. Reynolds in vlisborno dealing with the question oi immediate relief, the Board engaged him to furnish a further scheme of mo Era to dimensions to accommodate th • intercolonial and coastal traffic, ho supplied a scheme diverting tiie river on the Waikanae side and uiilisJiig to the fullest advantage the t dstm.g works, and at the same tinn condemned niiv preposal to make a cut turning oat the river through tho breakwater. The opinion oi tbo Gunstilting Engineer (Mr. Reynold ) in this respect was subsequently homo out hv a special rciyjrt obtained ‘win Mr. C. 11. Hou-ovth, C.E.. fm ./orly of Wanganui, at the instance <J two members of the Board. The -cherno as submitted would on its completion also meet tho r: qiriemcnts oi oversea liners that the depths inside he oxcavatou to Miiisiy thcii draught.

A sci erne brought forward r.y Mr. V. I. Blake regarding the - diversion of tiie silt by means of a canal across Kaiti to the ocean at Waffiui Beach was.considered by the Board, and repo; ted upon by Messrs. L. Ly. Reynolds anti J. B. Tiiomns.an. Ghi-tf Government Drainage Engineer. I u.s sc-henia was not favorably inan was considered impractlcab'e by both , engineers. Matters hare now for a long t’.mo aiul espcciall'. during the lasi three, wars, 1915-1918. been trying and uusatrifretory. The passenger tender and lighters have had to stv.oy Go tides to an abnormal extent, and tins has meant great inconvenience to tho travelling public and serious o.xpcnso to r hippo is and consignees. At the moment wo have sit 6iu at low'- water and tin's, owing to the unlimited quantities of silt awaiting transport via the Waimata, is of very uncertain duration. This silt aspect has mum stressed in past years and officially reported and emphasised by Messrs. Ferguson and Reynolds. Bntli n these engineers, and particular;;/ lie latter, as far hack as 1906, stated that it could not ho hoped#to mumtain more than about six or eigv feet at low water. The earlier indication of Mr. Reynolds was made, however, he'orc the Clearing of tno friable country caused the enormous quantities of silt to move and "hicn arc now the main cause oi civ Present and increasing difficulties to he faced, combined with the Mioe.lmg trouble at the entrance.

START OF A NEW ERA

Tbe financial aspect cal’s for eminent and from the records o; the Board it- is found that the outlay irom 188-5 to 1918 inclusive amount;: «i £] 074.538 for all purposes, imlmimg £490 060 lores, c( which wuen -.h-o grovues are completed, a wont • will remain unexpended. ivnw to 1885 no records arc obtainable r:i the Board’s olfi c. hut the above lnttu.-n----tion will speak for itself. The v’hntion as now existing and the ieusness of tbe liosit’ou need y.tb o comment, notwithstanding any advantages that may be conccoccl. ■ Board,' in preparing -the hurraing statement, lias confined the m-w.ter to actual facts, and lias endeavored to place the true position as revramd by official records which are evadabte for roforouco. Oil le : ne put to the rate-paver**. Air. Reynolds’ new harbor schema was carried by an overwhelming rnaiovifv and Mr. R. Campbell was ani>ointcd engineer. A start with work was greatly delayed on n'ronr-c of tbe difficu’tv in scour m' sautebvv.to*7rt at a it-son aide cost. 'he c c or diveitinsr the river has b -en pcarlv completed, a mw si r _'w i built, a concrete bridge Uv.wa t.n mention of one span) has Iran erected ~-,-or the river, a comide'-ah’e area on the Kaiti side has b-en b-v;ht l'”' the purposes of the inner basm. ammin or works have bec„ ta’-eu r> band. It rema ns to b- v--~ y s. -- ~:ant good stone can 1- old-ned at Whara-00-aonen for the ivonor-.au “island” breakwater to prore;t the entrance to the ha-bor. Ur- td nothe Board has spent, oyer £->69 the new harbor, the items indue! n.. ; the new dredge Kuril a, hopper "!|.rces, small transport verse s, ry«truction yards, as well ns the v n.ia

It is related that, on one yc-asam, Ca.pt. Rend was charged w.th b.-./uig attempted to shoot seme p-ison. When the charge was read out. Vo came verv excited and. bringing n*s fist down on the table, rr-ar'y..: dyes, I did threaten to shoot- him and, bv jingo, T will.” Cnpt. Rend never attempted to carry out ran threat.