NEW PLYMOUTH'S PORT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18773, 29 July 1924, Page 5

NEW PLYMOUTH'S PORT.

WOODEN WHARF'S DECAY.

EXTENSIVE REPAIRS NEEDED*

A reference to the decayed condition of the Moturoa wharf was made at a meeting of the New Plymouth Harbour Board last week by the chairman, Mr. C. E. Bellringer. He said that the engineer had submitted a statement of the expenditure required to keep the wharf in safe order for railway traffic and shipping until the rebuilding in reinforced concrete ''could be undertaken. Already £4600 had been spent in repairing the wharf this year, and the engineer estimated that £12,000 would bo required for a similar purpose next year. The chairman said that he felt that this wis a largo sum, and he had asked the engineer to go carefully into the position. This had been done, and the chairman read the engineer's report which indicated that the wharf was in an advanced staf.e of decay. Tho last 60ft. had been constructed with blue gum timber, and needed to be wholly renewed. It was fortunate, tho engineer' stated, that there had been no heavy traffic on this section. On the western side 180 ft. had been renewed and there was 340 ft. to do. The fender piles were bad and 33 needed renewing. Tho timber in pome portions was good, however, but the eastern side was constructed wholly oi bluegum, and thero was 300 ft. reftnainjng to be overhauled. In moving that t.ho, works committee investigate the m!atter and (report to the board, Mr. Bellringer said that ho would not lik& to > see £20,000 spent on the wharf when it would have to be pulled down within three or four years. The wharf, however, would have to be kept inurepair aud trade, whenever possible,' transferred to the Newton King wharf. That was his object in urging the utmost expedition in regard to tho dredging. In reply to a question the chairman said it was certain that the wharf would be rebuilt in reijnforesd concrete fand not with timbor. ~ There was an American idea which might be suitable to New Plymouth of driving reinforced concrete piles and using timbor with a bitumen surface for decking. Particulars of this new method of construction were being obtained.