HARBOR WORKS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17608, 26 October 1931, Page 2

HARBOR WORKS

EN&NEiik’s Review BOTH SLIPWAYS BUSY ■ BREAKWATER FOUNDATIONS ■ In his report to to-day’s meeting of the Gisborne Harbor Board, the resident Engineer, -Mr. C. F. Marshall Smith, dealt with a number of routine' matters that have been before the board on a number of occasions in the past, reporting progress and new developments. In one or two particulars, however, the Teport was of greater interest to the general public than many of its recent predecessors, one point having reference to erosion of the Kaiti breakwater foundations, with the possibility of repair work being before next winter, while another paragraph of interest was that referring, to the .maintenance dredge requirements. The report, with minor excisions, was asi under:— ~,... ■ “Waikanao Basin.—Work lias proceeded steadily throughout the period, though at times, there has been- some disorganisation through illness, influenza being the chief cause of absence. This has applied to all the works generally and not merely to the Waikanae basin gangs. The whole of the main .piling, both inside the basin and at the entrance, is now driven and the piledriving crev. now only has to place, the sheetpiling at the entrance. The main berthage is finished and work is now proceeding on the superstructure of the central jetty. The breastwork .round the basin is almost completed, only a small portion of one side beiqg. sMI unfinished. Other jobs in and around the basin are well in hand. Tho piledriying

punt after years of work is now rapidly deteriorating and contiriiial Q«re . lS necessary to make it last out the woi'k. The hull is built of oregon and is now •badly worm eaten. On completion of the work in the Waikanae basin, it will be necessary to strip all the, machinery off/ the punt and demolish the hull, as it is past useful work and there is no room in the harbor to accommodate old derelicts. The timber ordered, from Messrs. Cave Bros, has all been delivered, in ample time for the progress of the work. ■ “No. 3 Wharf Surfacing.—The contractors, Messrs. Howell and King, have made a start. Most of the material is on the site or is arriving as required. - The concreting of the crossings is being carried out first, before the opening of the freezing works, with the consequent heavy rail traffic. Nos. .1 and 2 crossings'should be finished and No. 3 well in hand before the end of the week. “Slipwavs.—Both the. main slipway and the new launch slipway have been in constant use during .the month, entailing a good deal of work for the staff. Outside vessels have made use of both slipways, a steam trawler from Napier on the main slip and tfie Toko-, maru Bay Harbor Board launch on the smhll slip. 'There is the possibility of several more trawlers from Napier making uSe of our facilities. The Gisborne Lightering Co. is now overhauling its fleet of lighters, and making good use of the slipway. . “Wireless Telephone.—The wireless installation in the signal station is now complete and a very satisfactory inaugural test was made with trie liner Kent. Masters of ships aqd the representatives of shipping companies are enthusiastic over the improvement in ship to shore communications. “Soundings—ln conjunction with.the harbormaster’s department periodical soundings have been taken and recorded ■for future reference in regard to the dredging policy to be adopted. “Dredging.—Whenever possible the grab dredge has been kept at work in the‘channel, but it, is‘. too soon yet to see whether any material change has been made in the channel- I. have been on the look-out for indications showing the leakage of sand at any .point and while finding nothing of any great magnitude I have come to the conclusion that a small amount may be entering from the Kaiti side at the shore end of the breakwater. There is a hole at this

point that should be filled up, as in addition' to any sand that may come through, there, is a certain pollution of the harbor waters from the freezing works effluent working through at this point. This is not a- big job and can be carried out as ordinary maintenance work. -‘Breakwater.—At certain points on the earlier breakwater extension, there are signs that the concrete cap is breaking up due to erosion of the rubble mound on whiqli it is founded arid 1 am investigating to see what remedial measures arc necessary to conserve the structure. It might he necessary to do certain work before next winter, but further examination will he necessary before this can be decided. This is merely one of the problems that are continually cropping up and requiring expert knowledge and treatment. "Maintenance Dredger.—The harbormaster, Captain A. Carson, Mr. Park, and myself have been collaborating in an endeavor to decide on the type and size of the dredger likely to be required in this port. Wo are drawing up a rough outline sketch and a schedule of the main requirements, so that the proposal can be submitted to dredgebuilding firms for their criticism. It has been decided to do this so that the fullest information can be obtained, without committing the board in any wav, and enable a decision to be made in line with the requirements of the port.” The engineer was given authority to dispose of the useful portions of the pile-driving unit when the Waikanae basin work is completed. In reply to a question, the engineer stated that he was well satisfied with the work done cm the No. .“1 wharf surfacing, so far as the contract had gone. , . - . The Works committee, was authorised to deal with the vacant section at Kaiti. : , The engineer reported that the new launch slipway had been proving very satisfactory to the launchmen, and the facilities were well appreciated. . Mr. T. Totlcl asked what the cost of the repair work on the breakwater would be, and was informed that about £SO would cover the job. The engineer was authorised to carry out the work in.,mass concrete, on the motion of the chairman, Mr. J. Tombleson. , The engineer’s report yeas adopted.