NEW HARBOR WORKS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16869, 26 October 1925, Page 7

NEW HARBOR WORKS.

FROGKESS OF I'AST .MONTH

THE ENGINEER'S RETORT.

The progress of the various sections of the harbor works during the past month was reviewed by the engineer, Mr R. Campbell, in the following report, which was submitted to to-day's meeting of the Harbor Board : “The dredger Korea continued dredging at the Kaili wharf until the 30th nil., when she completed the work required and resumed the dredging of the diversion cut. She continued dredging the area between the old slipway and (lie south end of Head's Quay, by No. 3 shed, completing as far northward ns desired at present. .She then swung round, heading seaward, and continued the dredging of the cut. The Korea’s operations in the dredging of the papa have been all that Was expected from her, and she is making steady and satisfactory progress. The other items of the dredging unit have been working in a satisfactory manner throughout the month.

“The driving of piles for the training wall to. as'far as it is intended to continue at the present time, i.e., to opposite the Board’s offices, is practically complete. The construction of the superstructure, consisting of the reinforced concrete trestle frames and slabs with the necessary beams is suitably progressing, the work operating at two points. A timber track has been constructed, from which to drive the reinforced concrete piles to form the breastwork to'Bead's Quay, and preparations made for the assembling of the pile driving plant when available for use at this section of the works. The output of 'the various units in the. construction yard continues satisfactorily—piles, etc., being constructed to meet the requirements respectively of the various works. “The reinforcement to the ways at the upper end of the slipway has been assembled and placed in position, and the ways concreted in. The reinforcement for the concrete' deck lias also been constructed as far as practicable at the present time, and concreting operations aro now in hand, as also are the concrete foundations for the hauling machinery. The cofferdam is being dismantled and an extension of the dam shorewards is now proceeding. “Diversion cut: The two Osborne drilling machines have shown good pro-' gress throughout the month, and are now operating on the sand dunes above the foreshore, the area, ns drilled, being blasted. The concrete formin'! the old slipway has been blasted and broken up ready for removal by the dredger. “Railway bridge: The forms for the beams for the first span are being constructed and the reinforcement fabricated and assembled for this section of the work (viz., from the western abutment to pier No. 1, town side). Temporary piles to carry forms have also been driven. “Breakwater construction: The surveys, land and hydrographical, of the quarry site at Whareongaonga have been completed and locations allotted for the protection breakwater, blockvard, buildings, railways, and other necessary services respectively. Delivery of a large portion of the material for the huts, mess-room, workshop, and other buildings has been effected, and the timber cut and prepared as far as practicable at- the Board’s workshop for erection at the quarry.”

COST OP WORKS. COMPARISON WITH ESTIMATES. A three-monthly statement showing the cost of the works completed up to tha present date, together with the estimated cost of the same amount of work, was submitted by the Engineer. On the per centage of work done the actual costs showed a considerable saving on the estimates, the figures being ns follows: —

The report stated that 63 per cent, of tho slipway had been completed ; 36 per cent, of the training walls ; 32 per cent, of the dredging in flirt channel arid to the berthages; and 19 per cent, of the river diversion. On the work done it was shown that there had been a saving of £7440.

Questioned in regard to the slipway, tliit engineer said that to make the slip large enough to take the dredge would have increased it to an unwarranted extant. The survey at Whardongaonga showed a depth of water at the site of the proposed breakwater of 20 feet. In. regard to the financial statement, the engineer stated that 19 per cent, of the diversion completed included the blasting. The fill.loo spent on dredging the channel had not nil been lost through the.silting. The.expense would not recur, as any future expenditure would have to come out of revenue.

The chairman added that the channel would not again be dredged until the river was diverted. The public had clamored for greater depth, and they had seen the, result of the effort to provide it.

Mr. Quirk said the financial position, as shown by the statement, was most satisfactory,'and if the ratio of expenditure to the estimates could be maintained throughout, the Board would have every reason to congratulate itself. The reports were adopted.

Estimate. 1 Actual Cost. £ £ Training wall and construction yard 35.800 32,070 River diversion ... 11.770 9,070 Slipwnv ... 9,500 9,900 Dredging in river ... 12,600 11,100 Total ... £69,670 £62,230