OTAGO HARBOUR BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20006, 25 January 1927, Page 4

OTAGO HARBOUR BOARD.

ACTING-ENGINEER’S REPORT. The acting-engineer, Otago Harbour Board, reports at follows for the month of December:— Dredge 222. —During the month of December dredge 222 lifted 16 loads, or 13>328 cubic yards, of material from Hamilton Bay; 14 loads, or 11,662 cubic yards, from the Vulcan’s pit. and nine loads, or 7597 cubic yards, from the entrance to the Dunedin steamer’s basin, making a total of 59 loads, or 32,487 cubic yards, of material for the month. Of this material, 25 loads, or 20,825 cubic, yards, were deposited at the dredge Vulcan, and 14 loads, or 11,662 cubic yards, at the Kaik. During the month the dredge steamed 525 ir iles and consumed 175 tons of coal. The dredge is now working continuously in the steamer’s basin. Dredge Vulcan.—During the month of December the dredge Vulcan pumped 18,526 cubic yards of material into the Mussel Bay reclamation area. On December 11 pumping into the Mussel Bay area was discontinued, and the dredge and plant towed to Dunedin and moored in position at the dumping pit near the cement works. On December 23 pumping into the Leith Estuary was commenced, 2499 cubic yards of material being deposited before the holidays making a total of 20,825 cubic yards pumped for the month. The dredge spoil is being pumped into the Leith Estuary pending the completion of the Opoho Creek channel, after which it is proposed to-finish the reclamation of Logan Park. Docks.—During the month of December two vessels were docked in the Otago dock, and the dock was pumped out twice for setting keel blocks, making a total of four pumps for the month. The Port Chalmers dock was occupied by two vessels making a total of two pumps for the month. The total for both docks was therefore four vessels docked and docks pumped six times. The drainage pumps were in operation for 557 hours. Tho e'ectric crane was in use for one hour. Dock Electrification. —The motor generator for electric crane and sheerlegs was placed in position and the switchboard erected. The conversion of the dock pumping plant from steam to electric drive is being pushed on as quickly as possible. North End Boating Club. —The North End Boating Club’s shed was lifted off the superstructure on to a punt and transferred to the new position north of the boat harbour. Dredge Priestman.—Tho dredge Priestman completed dredging shoal patches off Portobello wharf and was towed to Port Chalmers to be utilised in the erection of a crane on tho hulk Broxton. Mole. —As the superstructure of the Mole is not sufficiently far advanced to permit of continuous tipping of stone, the quarrymen have been transferred to Goat Island. Four men are engaged completing the tunnel. Approximately 500 feet of the superstructure was completed by the end of December. Goat Island Quarry.—The Goat Island quarry was reopened, the stone being deposited on the Half Tide wall. Slip.—Three punts were _ slipped for cleaning, tarring, and repairs. A large number of stone boxes, used in connection with the transport of stone from Goat Island to tho Half Tide wall, were repaired. Birch Street. —A considerable amount of repair work was done to caps, beams, and docking of the Birch street wharf. Broad Bay Wharf.—The Broad Bay wharf, which was damaged by one of tho ferry steamers, was repaired. Broxton. —A steam crane for coaling tugs, dredge, etc., is in course of erection on the Broxton. General.—The usual maintenance repairs were effected to shed doors, roofs, and wharves.