GREY HARBOUR

Grey River Argus, 13 December 1940, Page 10

GREY HARBOUR

ENGINEERS’ REPORT. The Engineer, Mr D. S. Kennedy, reported to the Greymouth Harbour Board for the month of November, as follows: — The following is a report on the works carried out and in progress by my Department for the month of November, 1940:— Quarry: Plant received general repairs and minor adjustments ready for loading of stone to the North Breakwater. North Mole: Concrete work was carried on as weather and sea conditions permitted. The unravelling of the river wing was becoming progressively worse due to several heavy seas during the early part of the month and work was commenced on consolidating this portion. A block weighing 250 tons was successfully placed and provision made for a wave breaking wall on top if ever this is required for protecting men and plant. A slab of 36 tons was placed under the railway line on the river side and a 10 ton slab on the new centre rail line where heavy seas were continually washing out the hearting. The work for the month was 296 tons of concrete placed, bringing the total now cast to 880 tons. The gravel pit track was lifted and pulled over and repaired. The new points and centre rail track was laid on the end of the breakwater and is now in use. The staging at the end of the mole received further damage by storms and had become extremely dangerous. It was resolved to demolish this completely and salvage as much material as possible. With the assistance of the big crane this was carried out. In connection with the staging so damaged it may be worthy of note that under the recent system jof tipping rock; extensive repairs costing not less than £1,600 for the four main baj'S would have been imperative but probably impossible owing to the difficulty in obtaining the necessary sizes of piles, beams and braces for building this heavy structure. Even given supplies of timber for the reconstruction, it would have been impossible to tip a single stone for a considerable time as the work would have taken mony months to carry out with every possibility that further extensive losses of rock and damage to the end of.-the breakwater and river entrance • would have resulted. It can, therefore be said that in addition to the £1,600 above, a greater saving than that has been made in the change over to the system the Board has now approved. The work at the present moment is making good progress and though minor changes will become necessary as the scheme proceeds, the general principle seems likely to succeed.

Works Department —Main Wharf: Repairs were effected to fenders on Piers Nos. 145 and 132, also to mooring pile No. 160. New kerbing was fitted" at Bay 164. The whole of the trap-doors on the wnarf were hinged and lucked, a total of 41 doors for water supply and 11 man-hole doors for hydraulic crane valves, made and fitted. The kerbing is being re-fastened the whole length of the wharf and kerbs and mooring piles are being painted white. This will prove of great benefit to masters working the port on night of poor visibility. Bays 192-252 and 122-152 have already been done. Buildings: Repairs to Watersiders’ office, Lagoon wharf coal shed, signal station and skin and hide stores were made. Lagoon Wharf Railway: Repairs to points and crossings- were made . A set of points was lifted from the South Tip line for use at the North Breakwater as it is now impossible to secure these from any source.

Various small jobs were carried out for the North Breakwater and gravel supply. Mechanical Dept.—Main Wharf: The hinges and locks and keys for the trap doors were made —also the kerbing bolts and plates. North Tip: The gravel box iron work was made up and various fittings as required. The Loco Ahaura received the usual overhaul to the big ends, etc., and is now in good order. Repairs became necessary to the gravel grab and this was carried out successfully. Minor work was required on the 20 ton and 25 ton cranes. Dredge: Minor repairs and painting were carried on as required—the Dredge now being in good order for the coming season’s work. Tug “Westland”: Further scrap metal was gathered up and sold — there now remains only a small amount for disposal—the remainder being stored for use on the Board’s works and plant. Certain essential items for the running of the steam cranes and engines are now practically unobtainable and difficulty is being experienced in obtaining certain supplies but enquiries are now in hand to try and locate the more necessary parts from various firms.

Tug “Kumea”: Painting and cleaning was carried out and platforms for sounding and in the wheelhouse were made and fitted. The report was adopted.