THE STRANDED LIGHTER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13373, 6 May 1914, Page 6

THE STRANDED LIGHTER.

The services 'of a diver were employed to-day m connection with the recovery of the cargo of wool from the stranded lighter on tho Kaiti beach. Tho wool as it is recovered is being carted to the Gisborne Sheepfarmer*' Company's works for re-conditioning. The fellmongery staff at the works have been busy for some days with the re-condi-tioning of the wool damaged by water during tho recent fire aboard the Tokomaru. The fatter work is now Hearing completion. The dumps are opened on being landed on the beach m order to facilitate handling. The work of reconditioning the wool can be proceeded with irrespective of the weather, as the dip is passed 'through mechanical driers. Tho shipment comprised "tho odds and ends of the year's clip and was about the last of this season's, shipment, and therefore was made up' of numerous smajl consignments. The wool is all insured, and tho cost of recovery from the lighter, reconditioning and ro-shipmeni will be borne by the insurance com panics concerned.

At low water to-day it was found possible to tako tho drays rigjit alongside the lighter, ;uid excellent work was done, about 90 bales being thus removed. When the tide, rose, /the punting was again resumed: It is hoped to complete the discharge this evening. Ropes have been placed- in position between the. after end of the lighter and the Star of Canada, and the channel has been located to facilitate the work of towing the lighter off. Diver Marshall'- was employed to-day assisting with operations m the hold, and will make, an inspection of the fillip's bottom to-morrow morning.. As far as can be ascertained, little damage has been sustained. It is hoped to pull the Matiikii off at high tide tomorrow afternoon. .. /