BLUFF HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 17003, 29 March 1912, Page 7

BLUFF HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS

ENGINEER'S ANNUAL REPORT. The late Engineer (Mr W. Sharp) reported as follows to the Bluff Harbour Board yesterday, upon the various works carried out during his last year's service with the Board, ending 31st December;— —Dredge Murihiku. — ■The Murihiku finished dredging Operations at the Freezer basin in January, and was then put on to take out 100 feet to the west of the previously drained area, 250 feet beyond the western end of the main wharf. Here she remained until May 27th, work at this spot entailing the removal of 70,000 tons of material. On 30th May she commenced removing the south side of Middle bank, directly opposite the wharf, with the object of at once widening the channel on the face of the wharf to a depth of 26 feet. The ultimate intention was to remove the whole of this bank to a point opposite the western end of the wharf and so give free access from the north channel to the largest steamers in port. Ninety thousand tons of spoil were lifted from the bank up to the 'end of December, and 3.500 tons in dredging end on to the face of the wharf. A new tumbler for the ladder was imported, and fixed .when the dredge was in Dunedin, and a set of mooring chains are ofl the way out. When these are fitted it will be possible for dredging to proceed on the bank at all states of the tide. —Lobnitz Plant. — The new pontoon,- which was launched in November, 1909, was fitted with a 50 ft. derrick, new Marshall 16 h.p. semiportable boiler, manoeuvring winch, arid other necessaries. The whole plant is now thoroughly up-to-date. In the month of May, the end of the ram, which was not new when procured by the Board, cracked. This did not happen, however, until much strenuous work had been performed in the very hard material which forms the substratum of most of Bluff Harbour. A new ram, 45 ft. long, 15 tons weight, and costing between £SOO and £6OO was procured. In November and December boring wps a good deal interrupted, owing to the crew and diver, who are in charge of the plant, being required for rock-blast-ing. Notwithstanding these delays, 5995 lineal feet of ISin. diameter holes have been put down and the rock removed by the Murihiku and Prlestman. This is a fair .twelve months' work and has resulted in much deeper water in u.e several berths treated. —Prlestman Dredge.— The Prlestman dredge has been used for taking out the rock broken up by the Lobnitz, also as a pile driver, and in many other miscellaneous jobs about the harbour. —Reclamation.— The reclamation of the front parade has .gone on steadily during the whole twelve months, and had almost reached completion by the end of the year. , The work has since been finished. The contractor made a satisfactory job, on which were used 10,532 cubic yards of stone, arid 23,349 cubic yards Of clay at a total cost pf £6,155. —Other Works. — The new lightship, for which a contract was let. by the Board was completed, but had not been placed in position as yet. A watch-house and light tower was also erected at Stirling Point during the year. No new work of importance was carried out at the wharves, but several new structures were erected and the usual repair work attended to. The blacksmith’s and engineering shop had been fully-employed with the various dredges and the general plant of the Board. '—Conclusion.— Mr Sharp concluded by mentioning that, although*the engineering staff was not so numerous as in past years, a great deal of useful work had been done. He expressed his thanks to the members and staff of the Board for the 1 many courtesies extended to him during his 24 years’ service.