HARBOUR BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17923, 30 April 1920, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD

ENGINEER'S REPOET.

The following is the report of the engineer (Mr M'G. Wilkie) for the month ending April 21, — Dredge 222.—During the month of March dredge 222 lifted a total of 21 loads, or 17,493 cubic yards, of material from the following localities.—Deborah Bay, 19 loads, or 15,827 cubic yards; .Rattray street wharf, 2 loads, or 1666 cubic yards. The dredgings from Deborah Bay were deposited at the Vulcan, and the stony dredgings from Rattray street wharf were deposited at sea. The dredge steamed 438 miles, and burned 246 tons of ooaL Dining tho month the coal burnt was chiefly lignite, from which most unsatisfactory results are obtained. The small quantities in which coal is delivered make it necessary for the dredge to take in coal every day, and the time thus lost during the week is very considerable. It is suggested tliat the board endeavour to obtain hard coal in sufficient quantities to ensure the constant and economical working of the dredge. Dredge Vulcan.—During _ the month of March the Vulcan pumped into Lake .Logan 15,827 cubic yards of material received from dredge 222. The length of the pipe line is 3849 ft. While dredge 222 was in dock the crew of the Vulcan were engaged chipping and painting tho hull and overhauling the pipe line. Kaik Quarry.—For a period of five weeks ended April 14 650 cubic yairda of stone were deposited on the Spit wall, 200 yards were used in building up the Kaik groyne, and 50 yards as a protection for the root of the mole. Mole lights: The two Aga leading lights are now in operation. Hayward Point light: The lighthouse and aerial tramway have been completed, and the lamp installed. The latmi has been lit, and viewed from sea by Captain Thomson, who reports the light satisfactory. Tho Marine Department will advise us when the lamp can be put into operation. Obakou: On March 18 the s.s. Otakou broke her propeller shaft at Hhe Kaik wharf. The vessel was slipped on Messrs Miller Bros.' slip and fitted with new propeller and thrust shafts. The old propeller shaft proved to have been bady cracked, and it was fortunate that the accident occurred insido the harbour. The Otakou was also used in connection with the salving of dredge 222, and_ proved a most serviceable boat for similar work inside the harbour.