HARBOUR DREDGING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23435, 25 February 1938, Page 7

HARBOUR DREDGING

EXTENSIVE PROGRAMME SUGGESTED DOUBLE SHIFTS FOR OTAKOU DISCUSSION BY BOARD An extensive dredging programme on the Otago Harbour, involving the working of a double shift by the Otakou, was discussed at the monthly meeting of the Otago Harbour Board last night, when a special minute, compiled by the chairman (Mr W. Begg' was placed before it. The minute which was eventually adopted after considerable discussion, suggested that a comprehensive scheme should be formulated with a view to utilising the Otakou to the best advantage and improving the facilities of the harbour The minute, which was read by the secretary, stated: Work to be Undertaken “ With a view to utilising the dredge Otakou (which you may recall cost some £127,000) to the best advantage I would suggest to the board the formulation of a comprehensive dredging scheme, which will further improve the facilities of our harboui The widening of Deborah Bay bend and the completion of the Mussel Bay reclamation is recommended as the next work to be undertaken, and it behoves the board at this stage to look ahead and plan its future dredging programme so that all factors can be co-ordinated and the work proceed without hitch and with the utmost des patch. “After Deborah Bay bend has been widened we have urgent work in’ the upper harbour, such as the widening of Victoria channel between Ravensbourne and Dunedin to 200 feet in order to complete the Victoria channel to the required depth of 22 feet at low water, with a width of 200 feet in the straights and 250 feet in the bends; the extension of the swinging basin in the vicinity of the oil berth; the extension of the swinging basin oft the end of Birch street wharf; the deepening of the various berths at Dunedin. ff ln addition to this there is the desirability—if not the necessity—of dredging at the entrance when the new suction hose (now on order) comes to hand, and when circumstances are favourable. With the completion of the authorised work in the Victoria channel, giving a depth of 22 feet at low water, it should be possible, when circumstances permit, to relieve the congestion which at times occurs, at Port Chalmers. . , , “ Then again we are faced with problems in connection with our reclamation areas. When Mussel Bay is completed we have the old Leith Estuary from Black Jack's Point to Palmers siding, which would take a certain amount of spoil, dependent upon the levels agreed upon in connection with the subdivision plan of this area, winch is now occupying the attention of the city engineer in collaboration with our engineer. We must then have recourse to the southern endowment, where considerable expenditure on drainage will be necessary before further areas can be reclaimed. . “Another matter which has exercised my mind for some time is whether we should not make the utmost use of the dredge by working two shifts, at least during the period of long daylight. As you are aware, the vessel will have a limited life—we cannot expect her to last for 50 years like the old 222—and to work the vessel only 40 hours a week, while she remains idle for 128 hours, that is, she is standing idle for more than 75 per cent, of her life, is obviously not making the most use of this valuable tool. Taking all these factors into consideration, I am of opinion that we should lay down a definite dredging scheme, and I propose with your approval to instruct the engineer and harbour master to report upon the most urgent dredging scheme, giving, of course, due consideration to the financial aspect.” Moving the adoption of the minute, the chairman said it was a question whether, taking into consideration her steaming time and the time wanted in overhaul, the dredge Otakou was working 25 per cent, of her time. The season was probably too far advanced to work a double shift at the present, but he had asked the engineer whether it could be worked for, say. a month, and Mr Wilkie has replied in the affirmatrMr J. B. Waters, who seconded the motion, said he had always considered they were wasting valuable time by not working two shifts on the dredge. It would mean extra expense, but that would be outweighed by the gain. At the same time, the board should move cautiously, and he believed the suggestion of the chairman that the Harbour Board and the engineer should submit a report was an excellent one. There was a great deal of work in front of the dredge, and better swinging basins at the wharves were vitally necessary. , , ~ .. Mr R. Duncan supported the motion, but stated that he was prepared to go further. The long daylight was going and the urgency of the work was growing. He moved as an amendment “That the chairman and the deputy chairman be instructed to go into the' matter with the harbpur master and the engineer, and that if it is possible to start a double shift to do so Such a suggestion, he said, was not going to commit the board to any extent; it would merely be a trial for a month or six weeks Question of Finance Mr D. F. H. Sharpe, who seconded the amendment pro forma, said he did not believe there was any such need for urgency. The most important point to be considered was the question of finance. If they worked two shifts they would exceed their budget. Mr F. E. Tyson asked where the question of daylight came in? Twenty-four-hour shifts had been worked in the past. Why should they tie up a dredge that had cost £127,000? The chairman explained that the engineer had stated that there would be a difficulty in getting the dredge in and out of the Vulcan pit after dark. Mr J. H. Duncan considered that it was very necessary that something of this nature should be given serious consideration. Finance, of course, had to be considered, but Mr R. Duncan s amendment would merely expedite a decision Mr A. Campbell, M.P.. struck a note of warning by stating that the expenses of working the dredge would be nearly double. He suggested, however, that the attention of the harbour master should be drawn to the need for widening the Kaik bend at the entrance to the harbour

The views of other members of the board were expressed during the discussion. the general consensus of opinion being that while cyervone was in agreement with the chairman s proposal. nothing should be done before the matter was again considered bv the board

The amendment, on being put to the meeting, was lost, the chairman’s motion being carried.