OTAGO HARBOUR BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18898, 26 June 1923, Page 4

OTAGO HARBOUR BOARD

ENGINEER’S REPORT. In his monthly report the Harbour, Board engineer (Mr Wilkie) states that during May dredge 222 lifted 29,988 cubic yards of material, of which 10,660 cubic yards were from the bank off the Victoria, wharf, and 13,328 cubic yards from between piles 34 and 35. J-Ue dredge steamed 124 miles and consumed 114 tons of coal. ■ The overhaul of the dredge was commenced on May 30. The vessel was docked and propellor shafts drawn for inspection, and a patch fitted on the keel towards the stern post. The main engines; were opened up for inspection and considerable repairs were affected to the top tumbler. The main steam pipes are now being tested, and a spare bottom tumbler fitted. It is hoped to start dredging on the 22nd inst. For the month ended May 81, tho Vulcan pumped 29,988 cubic yards of spoil, received from dredge 222, into the Lake Logan reclamation area. The Vulcan was placed under overhaul, while dredge 222 was in dock. The repairs to the Vulcan include re-lining of the pump casing, fitting of a spare runner and shaft, and overhaul fo motors. This dredge also will be ready for work on the 22nd inst.

During May four vessels were docked —two in Otago dock and two in the graving dock. The pumps were engaged for 382 hours in draining operations, while the docks were occupied. Repairs to machinery and plant were effected as opportunity offered. The tug Dunedin is now in dock undergoing annual overhaul. Tho Plucky was docked for cleaning and painting on the 13 wi inst.

For the three weeks ended Juno 16, 340 I > cubic yards of stone were quarried at Black Jack’s, the whole of which was placed on tho railway deviation wall. For the five weeks ended June 16 a total of 1900 cubic yards of stone was quarried at Sunshine and deposited on the south endowment wall.

The detritus deposited in the Leith Canal after tho floods has been cleaned out in the portion of tho channel between Forth street and the railway bridge, a portion of the material being used to fill up the large hole scoured out at t'he railway bridge. The tramway which was washed away during the Hood has been re-ereoted, and another 4-.. of concrete wall completed. The whole of the foundation piles for the enclosed and open "Q” sheds have been driven, and cut off to the required length. A Batch concrete mixer, made in the Otago Harbour Board workshop, has been erected on the site of the shed and 4S reinforced concrete columns, moulded for the shed walla. An embankment is being raised on the side of Lake Logan in the vicinity of Harbour terrace to prevent flooding of that area, and for the reception of pumped material when the lake is being reclaimed for the Exhibition.

The weather having sufficiently moderated, another start has been made to place the reinforced concrete deck beams in position {or tho mile light. Tho signal houses at the Hoads have been, painted and renovated—a new bath fitted, and the hot-water . pipe system renewed. A temporary channel is being provided l<3r the discharge of tho Opoho Crock waters through the railway reclamation. On© wall is being constructed of atone from Black Jack’s quarry, and the other is being built up with scrub. PEARSON’S FRESH AIR FUND. TO THE EDITOB. Sin, —May I onco again trespass upon your courtesy to bring before your readers tlie needs of the Fresh Air Fund which was founded by tho late Sir Arthur Pearson 32 years ago for the purpose of providing day outings and fortnightly holidays for children who otherwise would not get a brief respite from their unhappy surroundings 7 In tho past two years tho Frensh Air Fund has unfortunately hud to spend £SOOO more than its income, which means that most of tho available reserves have been used. This expenditure was incurred rather than disappoint the many thousands of poor children who had been promised a much-needed short holiday and who were so eagerly looking forward to it. To tho children with whom tho Fresh Air Fund deals even one day in the country is a wonderful event—a fortnight’s holiday a miraculous happening Fifteenpence pays for a day in the country ; one pound pays for two weeks’ holiday; £l3 pays for a day for 200 children with attendants.

May I particularly impress upon your readers that the Fresh Air Fund is a unique charity? Tire whole of the amount subscribed is spent upon tho children. During the past 31 years, 4,525,341 poor children have been the guests of the Fresh Air Fund for a day, and from 1908. when the fortnightly holidays commenced—--70,924 poor children have been given a much-needed change of that duration. It is easy to record in mere hard statistics the work accomplished, but who can place on record or value the result achieved in terms of life, hea'th, and happiness.—l am, etc., Kepbei.l, , Hon. secretary.