HARBOUR BOARD SCHEMES

Otago Witness, Issue 3231, 16 February 1916, Page 30

HARBOUR BOARD SCHEMES

LOWER HARBOUR INSPECTED. SILT AT BEND TO BE DREDGED. Members and officials of the Otago Har>our Board paid a visit of inspection to the lower harbour in the tug Duncdin on Saturday afternoon. The party included Messrs J. M. Dickson, M.P. (chairman of the board). W. Wilkinson, E. C. Ilazlett, J. H. Walker, F. O. Shaddock, H. L. Tapley, J. Blair Mason (engineer), W. J. Bardsley (secretary), and Captain Thomson (harbour master). The object of the trip ■was to throw light on recent controversial matters that have been agitating the board, and also to prepare members for a thorough understanding of the board's annual estimates. At Port Chalmers, which was reached at 11.45 a.m., the party was joined by Messrs T. Scollay and D. Mawson (local members of the board), and a visit was mado to the site of the proposed new wharf alongside the entrance to the new dock, in which tho Willochra is at present lying. Hero some three-quarters of an hour was spent in the free discussion of the engineer's schemes, and a great deal of valuable information was elicited. It was noticed that a fender has been erected to cover the rock that has been a source of danger in tho past to ships entering and leaving the dock. When asked why the rock had not been removed, the •ngneer was able to assure members that it was because the board would not authorise the continuation of the work. The removal of the rock, it appears, is a very costly matter, and the board was not prepared to vote the necessary amount. The rock will have to go, however, before tho proposed wharf can be erected. The engineer's plans allow for a clearance of some 65ft between tho wharf and the entrance to the clock, or, to put it in another way, the line of the wharf will b*> continued parallel with tho rides of the dock but 65ft elosor in to tho hill. This will permit of a vessel being comfortably docked whilo another vessel is ying alongside the new wharf. An important part of tho scheme is the transfer of the

sheerlegs from their present unsatisfactory situation and deteriorating wooden foundations to the new wharf. The obstacle in tho way of the scheme, and one which will probably prove insurmountable in the meantime, is the matter of its expense. The possibility of erecting floating sheerlegs was discussed, and the suggestion is one that will be carefully looked into by the engineer. After the members left Port Chalmers particular attention was given to the curve of the channel at Deborah Bay, and tho decision was reached to have this part of the channel dredged to a depth of 26ft and a width of 500 it Under the previous proposal the intention was to dredge to 26ft, but only for a width of 350 ft. A keen discussion took place on the reported silting of the channel opposite the spit, and the whole position was thoroughly examined, with the aid of charts and plans. It was ascertained that at one point tho drift of silt during the last six months had encroached for a distance of 20Oft on tho channel, reducing tho depth in the area affected to less than tho 24ft standard . This still leaves a width of 270 ft of channel of the standard depth, but the position is complicated by tho fact that tho encroachment occurs right. at an awkward bend. The silt coming in from tho inner side of tho curve compels pilots to keep towards the black piles which mark the outer edge of the curve, and it can be readily understood that the set of the tide, whether ebbing or flowing, always tends to carry a vessel towards the outer edge in any case. Captain Duncan, the board's pilot, who joined the party at the spit, frankly expressed the opinion that the channel was not safe in its present condition, and this opinion was practically endorsed by the harbour master, who stated that, naturally, he would prefer to bo able to bring a vessel right down the centre of tho channel than have to keep to one side. The engineer was of opinion that 270 ft gave all the room that was necessary, but took up the attitude that the point was one for navigating officers rather than himself to determine. A curious difference of opinion was noticeable as to tho effect of the proximity of shipping on the drift of silt. Rome thought that tho movement of passing vessels would accelerate the drift, and others that it would keep it from settling end silting up the channel.

Eventually agreement was reached as to tho desirability of dredging away the drift that has come into the channel, and this work, which has already been commenced, will now be prosecuted to a conclusion. After enjoying afternoon tea on board, members -visited the houses* and reclamation works on the spit, and a quick run home brought them into Port Chalmers just in time for the 5.15 train, to town. Members were agreed that, not only had tho outing been a most enjoyable one, but that it had thoroughly served its purpose by making several knotty problems much clearer to them, and conveying much useful and practical information about the board's worKS.