OTAGO HARBOUR BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19333, 20 November 1924, Page 8

OTAGO HARBOUR BOARD

a ENGINEER’S REPORT. Mr J. M‘G, Wilkie, engineer, Otago Harbour Board, reports as follows for the mouth of October:— Dredge 222.—During the month of October dredge 222 lifted 20 loads or 16.600 cubic yards from between piles 28 and 29, seven loads or 5831 cubic yards from between piles 6 and 7 rad, 15 loads or 12.495 cubic yards from between piles 9 and 11 black, and three loads or 2499 cubic yards from the Victoria wharf, making a total of 45 loads or 37,485 cubic yards. Of this material 54,153 cubic yards wore deposited at the dredge Vulcan and 3352 culv- yards were deposited at the Heads. Du. ig the month the dredge steamed 436 miles and consumed 199 tons of coal. Whilst dredging the berths of the Victoria wharf, a number of iron bars which • had been dropped from ships’ slings got entangled between the ladder and the bottom tumbler, resulting in the fracture of the ladder arm. The necessary repairs were effected at Port Chalmers by the electric welding process. The dredge was stopped on the 14th and 15th to have a spare tumbler shipped, and some small repairs to the ladder friction wheel. Dredge Vulcan.—During the month of October the Vulcan pumped 35,819 cubic yards of material received from dredge 222 into the Lake Logan reclamation area. The Vulcan requires some repairs to the runner case and suction adjustment ring m consequence of the large amount of heavy material received from dredge 222 m the vicinity of Victoria wharf. Docks.—During the month of October two vessels were docked in the Otago dock and three vessels in the Port Chalmers dock. Tlie docks were pumped out five times during the month. The electric plant was in operation for 56 hours, lifting out machinery, masts, etc., from Pateena, and breaking up scrap iron. Boilers and machinery are in good working order and condition. Black Jack’s Quarry.—For a period «rf a week and a-half ended October 22, 588 cubic yards were quarried from the top quarry. On completion of the road work at Ravensbourne the whole of the plant used at Black Jack's Quarry was transferred to the Sunshine Quarry. The transference of this plant was executed most expeditiously, and reflects credit upon those in direct charge of the work. Sunshine Quarry.—At the beginning of November a start was made to deposit stone on the south endowment wall. Railway Deviation.—Stone is now being punted from Sunshine Quarry to the Leith Estuary, for the purpose of pitching the temporary railway bridge over the Opoho Creek. The Otakou,—After completion of survey, tho Otakou was used to transport the gear from Black Jack’s to Sunshine Quatry. At the time of writing some planks are being renewed in her bunkers. Birch Street Wharf.—The deck sheathing in front of G, H, I, and J sheds is being renewed. Fisherman’s Punt, Port Chalmers.—Another pile was. driven and securely fastened and braced to the existing two piles at the outer end of punt, thus forming a dolphin to hold the punt more securely in position. Boat Shed, —A boat shed, with tho necessary carriage rails and hoisting winch, was erected at the south end of Kitchener street for the purpose of housing the survey party’s launch and gear. D Shed.—Twenty-four reinforced columns have been oast in connection with this shed, the whole of the “box on’’ boxing has been repaired, and a number of steel fabrications made for the foundation walls. Leith Canal.—The large amount of debris brought down !by last flood is being removed by the steam crane installed for that purpose. Eastern Jetties.—Small repairs are being carried out to the loading ramp at Portohello. Workshop.—The manufacture of the' 1000 feet of 18in diameter spoil pipes in the Otago Harbour Board workshop was satisfactorily completed during the month of October. The actual cost of the .pipes was considerably below the estimated cost.