HARBOUR WORKS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 November 1924, Page 10

HARBOUR WORKS.

PORT OF NEW PLYMOUTH. EXTENSIVE CONSTRUCTION WORK. EXCELLENT DREDGING RETURNS. The New Plymouth Harbour Board met yesterday. Present: Messrs. C. E. Bellringer (chairman), Newton King, J. S Connett, E. Maxwell, G. W, Tayler, W. C. Clement, J. R. Cruicsksliank, and W. T. Wells. An apology for absence was received from Mr. J. McOluggage. Work done at the port during the past month was reported on as follows by the resident engineer (Mr. G. W. B. Low son) ; Breakwater extension: Unsettled weather prevailed during the first part of the period, but later the conditions improved so much that two sections o-f the breakwater were completed, one within a week of the other. These two sections, Nos. 8 and 9, advanced the head of the new work a further 25 feet to a total distance of 111 feet. Five hundred tons of stone were used during the period. Blockyard and supplies ■ With the crusher running and a plentiful supply of material always to hand, the making of oomcrete blocks can now proceed steadily in the yard when work on the breakwater extension permits of so doing. One hundred and forty-four tons and 37’9 yards (spalled and delivered by contract) were put through the crusher, and 569 cubic yards of sand and shingle were carted to the bins. Twenty-five concrete blocks (Nos. 164 to 188) and the mass work for two sections were thus put through by the shore plant. Trouble developed in the framework supporting the race of the large breakwater crane during the construction of section No. 9, and the repairs to same are being attended to. Mikotahi dump: 7'2 tons of stone were run round to the end of the Mikotahi dump.

■ Newton King wharf: Constructional work on the Newton King wharf, which had been practically at a standstill through lack of supplies, was partially resumed early in the period upon receipt of brusih-box decking ex the Waihora. The laying and tarring of the decking was thus carried well forward t< behind the drivers. Later on in the period the Ihumata brought a small shipment of 50 ironbark piles, and work was commenced immediately preparing these for driving. At the close of the period, all these piles had been rung and shod, 36 had been coppered, and 100 pile shoes made at the workshop. ] PILE DRIVING RE<OMME> T CED. The pile-driving gear was run forward into position, and pile-driving was recommenced on November 11, two piers lof piles being driven in the last few days of the period, advancing the head of the work a further 24 feet to a total distance of 720 feet. Twenty-two piles have been driven in piers 60 and 61, which, with the 641 piles previously driven, brings the total number driven to date up to 663. Pier No. 60 was fully capped. Moturoa wharf: At the beginning of the period, two mooring piles were renewed at the inshore end of the overceas berth of this wharf, following which attention was diverted to the continuation of repairs to the far western berth of same. In this berth nine more piles were renewed, and a thorough overhaul is being carried out, the (-capping, stringers, etc., being replaced I with new timbers where necessary.

i Coal stages; The building of coal stages for use on the Wewton King [wharf was commenced late in .-J he period, following upon the Railway Department's agreement to a modification of their standard clearance. New offices: The erection of the new Harbour Board offices at the port was completed by the close of the period. Dredging: Weather during the greater part of the period was favourable for dredging, and the returns are consequently very high, particularly as. owing to ladder repairs, work had latterly to be confined to suction dredging. The first cut across the end of the Newton King wharf was completed by October 22, and the second cut commenced the same day. Boiler cleaning took place in the period, and the dredge was also requisitioned for pulling piles in the Moturoa wharf. Seven working days were thus lost altogether—two through drawing piles, two through boiler-clean-ing, one through holidays, one through bad weather, and one through coaling. The Paritutu’s returns for the period are:—Bucket dredging: First cut across end of Newton King wharf. 3,400 tons; second cut across end of Newton King wharf. 1.700 tons. Suction dredging: Third fairway, 28,800 tons; outside bank, 6000 tons. Total, 39,900 tons; all dumped at sea. •In reply to a question from Mr. J. S. Connett, Mr. Lowson stated that the cost of making the concrete blocks for the breakwater extension was practically the same with the new concrete mixed and under the old system, namely, £25 a block or £1 a ton.. There was a big advantage, however, in that cement was mixed in much greater bulk, and the exthnsron could therefore be proceeded with much more quickly as fas as supply of blocks and mass concrete was concerned. EXCEPTIONALLY BUSY MONTH. Thirty-nine vessels of an aggregate' tonnage of 6'7,440 tons had entered the port during the five weeks ending November 15. reported the harbourmaster (Captain \V. Waller). Imports had totalled 14,634 tons and exports 4,413 tons, a total of 19,047 tons of cargo handled altogether. Government coal landed had totalled 1,129 tons. Overseas vessels had worked the port during the period as follows: —General Botha (4,849 tons) had landed 44'5 tons of case oil and general cargo, draught 22ft 4in forward and 23ft 3in aft; Waihora (4,638 tons) had landed 1,668 tons of coal and timber, draught 18ft Gin aft; Kaikoura (8,731 tons) bad leaded 506 tons of produce; draught 21ft 3in aft; Orari (9,179 tons) had landed 1,876 tons of cargo and had loaded 1,048 tong of produce, draught 23ft 7in; Karroo (6,127 tons) had landed 1,600 tons of cargo including plant for oil wells. 'Commenting on the harbour master’* report, the chairman said the past month had been exceptionally busy and showed a very satisfactory state of affairs.