NEW HARBOUR DREDGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3774, 13 July 1926, Page 5

NEW HARBOUR DREDGE.

LOCAL FIRMS DESIRE TO \ TENDER. DEPUTATION TO THE BOARD The Otago Harbour Board’s action in going abroad for its new dredge was the cause of the appearance at the special meeting of the boarj} on July 7 of a deputation representing the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association and the Otago Ironmasters’ Association. The deputation consisted of Messrs J. Hogg (president of the Manufacturers’ Association), W. R Hayward, A Bmellie, Isaac Stevenson, T. Gillies (president of the Ironmasters’ Association), and J. Sparrow. Mr Hogg said representations had been made to nis association by local ironmasters that the dredge could be built locally. Their idea in taking the matter lip was to explore the matter and see what was in it. As payers of dues, they considered they had some interest in the expenditure of £120,000 on the new dredae. If the dredge could not be built locally, his association and the deputation had no criticism to offer on the board’s action in going abroad for the dredge. The unemployment question came into the matter indirectly, as, if the dredge were built here, a large number of men at present out of work would be absorbed. The main point, however, was the expenditure of over £IOO,OOO on the improvement of their port, of which they were all so proud. It seemed a pit 7 that such a large sum of money, should be sent out of country if it were possible to build the dredge here, or anywhere else in New Zealand. Mr Hayward said the principal thing they hsked for as manufacturers was that the New Zealand foundries should be given an opportunity for tendering for the building of the dredge. The local knowledge of the requirements of the harbour would be a valuable aid in connection with the building of such a dredge. The Otago port would obtain great prestige if such a dredge could be built here. It would be a great advertisement to the port. Much of the material >vould require to be imported, and while this would have to pay duty, a dredge Would come in free. Probably, however, this drawback could be got oxer by negotiations with the Government. Mr T. Gillies (Ironmasters’ Association) Said that Otago was well known as the home of dredge-building right through New Zealand. One local firm had built a dredge for Nelson some years ago, and it had done its work well. He wanted New Zealand builders to be given an opportunity of tendering in competition with the Home builders. They considered that the board’s officers could design a dredge suitable for the harbour. His association Would be pleassd to assist in constructing a dredge that would be a credit to the builders and to the harbour. They considered that a stationary dredge could do all that was required in keeping the Victoria Channel at a good depth. Mr Sparrow said he was strongly in support of the request of the deputation. About 20 years ago six firms in Otago had turned out more extensive machinery than the board at present required, proving that they were now able to do all that the board, might want. Lately the iron foundries had had little to do, and as a result many hands had been turned off. It would assist the unemployment problem if the board Would agree to the request to have the dredge built in New Zealand. Mr Stevenson said that he considered the board had officers who were well qualified to design a diedge suitable for the harbour. Mr. Driver: Is it *' jssible to build a dredge here of the type the board wants? The Chairman said that a tentative type had been adopted by the board. Mr Stevenson said he did not know what type had been decided on. The Chairman said the board had decided pn a self-propelled dredge. , . Mr Stevenson: Well, I have my opinion about that. ~ The Chairman said much of what the deputations had said was incontrovertible,’ but he believed that the tentative type of dredge decided upon was the best and only one for the port. He had come to this conclusion after much thought and conversation with their officers and one of their own members (Captain Coll. M‘Donald), whom he looked upon as one of the most valuable and useful men who had ever occupied a seat on the board. Then their engineer (Mr Wilkie), and mechanical engineer (Mr Robertson) had <3 been collobarating for months, and also approved. They all knew that every chain had its weakest link, and in his judgment fche board’s weakest link was the en* - trance. He was assured that with the type of dredge proposed two months' dredging each .year would give them a depth of 45ft to 50ft at the entrance. As to the wisdom or feasibility of building the dredge locally he could not profess to speak with authority, but if it could be done no one in the community would be prouder than he. A well-known citizen who took a Very keen interest in all matters connected with the port, had approached him yesterday and made the following suggestions ana asked that they -should be stated publicly. He suggested that Mr Wilkie should be asked to complete his investigations in Britain and the Continent and return to Dunedin with all reasonable despatch. That, having the benefit of his experience and investigations, the board should then finally decide on the type and construction of the dredge, and that thereafter tenders should be invited locally and in Britain. If a course on these lines were adopted it would upset his own personal arrangements, but that cannot be helped. He took it they were all anxious to do the best they for the port and harbour, and as far as humanly possible to make no mistakes. It seemed that if one type of dredge were decided on there would be no difficulty in having it built here. The difficulty appeared to be whether the selfpropelled dredge could be as easily built here. He had just received a telegram from their chairman, Mr Dickson stating that he was in favour of New Zealand firms being enabled to tender for the dredge. Mr Anderson said he did not agree that la self-propelled dredge would do good work on the bar at the Hoads. He was more in favour of a stationary dredge. He thought the suggestion that Mr Wilkie should obtain all the data possible about dredges and return to Duneain, where the board could decide on the dredge it

favoured and tenders could be oalled both here and at Home was on the right lines. Mr Hogg thanked the board for the reception accorded the deputation. They were glad to hear that an assurance that the dredge could be built locally might change the board's policy. Mr T. Gillies also thanked the board on behalf of the Ironmasters Association. It was decided to hold t special meet ing of the board on Monday night at 7.30 o’clock to consider the representations of the deputation.