HARBOUR BOARD REPORTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16964, 28 March 1917, Page 3

HARBOUR BOARD REPORTS.

The resident engineer (Mr Wilkie) reports that during February, Drcdgo 222 and Dredgo V ulcan were out oi commission. Drcdgo 222 underwent her annual overhaul and survey. In dock it was d.scovcred that the port propeller shaft was badly bent, necessitating its removal and tho iittng in position of a new shaft. A new stern tube was also fitted on the starboard' side. Repairs to the sheathing on the coal bunkers are being proceeded with in Duncdin, as opportunity offers.

For the five weeks ended March 17, the dredge Pr.estman, at Kaitangata, advanced 179 yards, making a total ot 3082 yards; and leaving an approximate distance of 1324 .yards of the canal still to be dredged. During February 6 vessels were docked, three in the Otago Dock and three in the Port Chalmers Dock. For tho five weeks ended March 14, 1254 cubic yards of material were used in the maintenance of the South Endowment wall. For the live weeks ended March 14, 263 ft of the invert of the Le'th Canal, between Forth street and Harbour terrace was conercted, making a total ot 424 ft, and completing this portion of the work. The total length of the finished invert now amounts to 1882 ft.. From the 26th ult., work at the lower end of the canal has been proceeded with, and the canal has been excavated over a length of 12ft, making a total of 944 ft, and leaving a length of 242 ft st : ll to be excavated. The experimental channel light was completed. and burned cont'nuously for 14 days without attention. After some small alterations have boo-.i completed, this light will he installed in one of tho Lower Harbour beacons, whore it can be tinder the supervision of tho harbour master (Captain Thomson). Fire ext'nguishers have been installed in all sheds, and at various places round the wharves.

The Harbourmaster renorts that tho low water depths in the harbour were:—North Channel. 40ft; Bond. 30ft; Deborah Bay. 26ft; Victoria Channel—centre 19ft, sides 1 8Ct. During Fobru-irv the arrivals were 23 coastal vessels of 13 422 tons; s : x intercolonial vessels of 11.372 tons; and two foreign vessels, of 9534 tons; mak'ng a total of 31 vessels of 34.328 tons. Th" departures were 24 coastal vessels of 16.282 tons; four intercolonial vessels of 10.663 tons; and four foreign vessels 0? 11 ?80 tons; making a total of 32 vessels of 38,225 tons.