OPUNAKE HARBOUR.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 6 February 1926, Page 10

OPUNAKE HARBOUR.

WORK IX PROGRESS. MEETING OF THE BOARD. The monthly meeting of the Opunake Harbour Board was held yesterday. There were present: Messrs T. R. Hughson (chairman), C. A. Trotter, H. Young, J. A. Pettigrew, and A. H. Moore. An apology for absence was received from Mr. T. H. H. Sinclair. Mr. .C. H. Hurst- was granted leave of absence. OPERATIONS REVIEWED. The following report dealing with the progress of the work was received from Mr. H. Vickerman. of Messrs Yickerman and Lancaster, consulting engineers': In accordance with your board’s request the writer visited Opunake, and on .January 20 and 21, along with Messrs Hughson and Trotter, inspected the work in progress. This is now practically confined to obtaining stone from the' beach and transporting it for use in the construction of the breakwater, the policy being to advance this and obtain shelter before commencing to build the wlia-rf. To get stone, use is being made of the 5-ton and 25-ton cranes and the larger log-hauler. The 5-ton crane is located between the old wharf and the breakwater and is employed dragging up stone to prevent further erosion of the beach excavated there along the cliff to give access to the breakwater. A considerable amount of work is still required in this direction, and it should be continued. The 25-ton crane is located near the head of the old wharf, and is there obtaining large stone, which is being lifted and transported for use in the breakwater. A cutting is in progress to permit of its being moved a short distance towards the town, so as to bring it to the •mouth of the “Old Rood” creek —that is the creek along which the old wharf road is constructed. This proposal should be completed without delay, as it will give command of the stone up the creek and of that obtained by the big hauler, both of which are iioav out of range. The big hauler is placed on the- top of the cliff above the crane, and is hauling stone for lifting by the big era lie from the ‘‘Rocky Point” between “Old Road” creek and the “Sands” of Opunake Bay. A good class of stone is available, and this should, as far as possible, be transported without reducing its size. A temporary air plant is making it possible to drill holes and fix iron pins in the stones, thus largely overcoming the trouble of slipping chains. This is a great improvement, and when the permanent and larger plant is installed and more experience has been gained this trouble should he practically eliminated. The outout of stone lias improved very considerably, but it a constant effort is made by all concerned to get at the causes of any small troubles, and to foresee and endeavour to prevent breakages, it will be found* that many stoppages which now occur, and which cause general annoyance and much unnecessary work, can be largely prevented and a still more rapid growth of the break\v ate v ensured.

To aid progress we recommend utilis_ ing all the machines and power available, and consider it would be advantageous to complete the two bays oi staging required to reach 700 ft., in order to release the small log-hauler. This should then be installed on “Rocky Point,’ referred to above, and used to haul stone from the direction of the “Sands,” thus bringing it within range of the big hauler. We consider no time should he lost in carrying this out, so as to take advantage of the summer weather. The small hauler is deficient in boiler capacity, and this should be augmented by means of a portable boiler, about hiring which inquiries should he instituted. The breakwater is now practically built to full height as far as 325 ft., up to low water level at 350 ft., and within a few feet of this as far as 40!)ft., whilst some bottom stone has been tipped between this and 425 ft. With the settlement of the work as it spreads out to its full slope further stone will he required on the seaward side of the mole, and this must he added from time to time as required. The method of tipping must be such as to get the core of smaller stone well protected on both sides and on top by large stone, and so as to get a full quantity of large stone and a flat slope on the seaward side. fn conclusion, we may sav that very satisfactory progress has been made since our last visit, and we consider tins reflects much credit on the foreman and others directly employed on the work, and on those members of the board who have given up a lot of their time to the matter. COMM ITTEE’S REPORT. fin behalf of the supervising committee, Messrs Hughson and Trotter, the chairman reported that they had been in touch with the men and works during the month and were pleased to note that the action taken in various matters had been approved by the consulting engineer (Mr. Vickerman) on his visit on January 20 and 21. Since then the hauling of stone had been continued, and the 25-ton crane had boon moved to the corner in order t lint 11 io stone hauled and pnddocked could lie loaded and clumped, leaving clearance for further hauling. The 5-Lon crane had been moved into the position vacated by the 25-ton crane lo deal with the smaller stone. The Sullivan compressor authorised had arrived and was being placed on a site near the corner on the old wharf road, so as to be in a central position, and thus allow a considerable saving in heavy piping. The necessary piping was on the ground, and the 25-h.p. motor to drive the compressor had been ordered. The 15-h.p. motor would be left in its present position. The repairs to the large hauler recommended by Mr. Vickerman had been effected, and it was now able to deal with the heavy stone. In connection with the extensions of the staging recommended by Mr. Vickerman. a. price for labour on, the two bays to be erected bad been obtained and submitted to Mr.' Vickerman for report. On receipt of bis recommendations fhe committee anticipated proceeding with the work. The report was adopted. LOAN RAISING POWERS. Referring to a previous communication, a letter received from the Marine Department further explained that the hoard could not over-expend its loan aiithortiv without fresh legislation and a poll of the ratepayers, and also that the hoard could not make any departure from the originally approved plans without the authority of the GoveruorG e nc ral-i n -Council. The chairman explained that the financial restrictions outlined were fully appreciated bv the board. If, however, the completion of the work rendered it necessary the board was empowered to raise an additional JO per cent of the amount of the original loan. This had been pointed out in a previous letter received from the Marine Department. Regarding the

other point raised, the chairman intimated that the board had no intention of making any departure from the originally approved plans. Mr Moore doubted whether legal restrictions might not be placed on tho raising of the 10 per cent if such were attempted. He moved that the department lie asked to secure an opinion on the matter from the Solicitor-General. The chairman further explained that it was merely a matter of obtaining the Minister's consent, and no further l'ormaliteis were required. Mr Moore insisted that the hoard had no legal authority to obtain that 10 per cent, and stated he would hold to his opinion until the SolicitorGeneral ruled otherwise. Mr Moore’s opinion was not supported, and the motion lapsed for lack of a seconder. COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET. A letter received from Mr Ira J. Bridget- (Eltham) as chairman of a committee appointed hv residents <4 the distriel advised that it had been decided fo tender a complimentary banquet to the Hon. O. J. Hawken upon his elevation to Ministerial rank. Subject to the date meeting with the approval of the Minister, it was proposed to hold the function in the Eltham Town Hall on Wednesday. March 3. The committee requested the co-operation of the members of various local authorities and other organisations in making the function a provincial affair worthy of the occasion. The chairman considered the function would he a fitting tribute to Mr Hawken. and offered the opinion that all members should attend, though he would himself he unable to be present, as he had been delegated to attend the Harbours’ Association Conference early in March. . It was decided to reply, stating that the board would be represented accordingly. GENERAL.

The chairman was appointed as delegate to the annual conference of the Harbours’ Association of New Zealand, to he held at Dunedin early in March. Mr Young was appointed to officiate on the supervising committee during the absence of the chairman at the conference. A tender received for the supply o'r wood fuel for the works was not accepted. and Mr Young and the secretary were appointed to arrange for the necessary supplyIn response to an inciuiry received from Messrs Saunders and Norfolk concerning the hire of the board’s concrete mixer, it was decided to reply stating that the board would be prepared to hire the machine for three weeks, the period requested, at a fee of €lO.