WORK AT THE PORT.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1925, Page 2

WORK AT THE PORT.

GRAVEL AND STONE SUPPLY. THE QUANTITIES AVAILABLE. REPORT TO THE BOARD. The annual meeting of the New Plymouth Harbour Board was held yesterday. Present :■ —Messrs. C. E. Bellringer (chairman), E. Maxwell, W. T. Wells, G. W. Tayler, J. R. Cruickshank, J. McChiggage, J. S. Connett and Newton King. An apology for absence was received from Mr. «W. C. Clement.

The resident engineer (Mr. G. AV. B. Lowson) presented the following monthly report:— Breakwater.—lt was considered advisable during the first part of the period to hold back extension work on account of the shortage of matured blocks, but later on the construction of section No. 16 was commenced, the foundation laid and the capping well advanced. One hundred and eighty tons of stone were incorporated with concrete blocks in the foundation. Breakwater Protection.—Three old concrete blocks and a few tons of suitable quarry stone were placed on the apron protecting the older portion of the breakwater back of the green light, while crevices in the capping in the same locality are being concreted up. Track maintenance on the wall was also attended to

Block Yard. Forty-five concrete blocks (Nos. 356 to 400) were manufactured in the yard during the month. Gravel supplies from all sources totalled 541 cubic yards (]42 by contract and 399 by the board’s teams), while spalled stone sent to the crusher totalled 326 cubic yards (92 by contract and 234 from the quarries, etc.). Fishing Rock Quarry.—Quarrying at Fishing Rock commenced on April 30, and good stone is being secured for breakwater extension purposed and fox crushing. The air line has been laid to the quarry. Wharf Street.—The formation of this street is completed and the necessary sumps, etc., laid down. One hundred and forty-eight cubic yards of metal were used in surfacing same Moturoa Wharf.—A small gang has been more or less steadily engaged during the month straightening up the dredge Paritutu’s berth, driving a new mooring pile astern of the overseas berth and three additional ones on the .western side, etc. Breakwinds.—The inshore wind-screen on the Newton King wharf is well on towards completion, being wholly trussed and almost wholly boarded over A commencement has been made with the erection of the trusses of the other breakwind on this wharf.

Harbour Lighting. —-New wiring had to be inserted in one or two places in the electric leads; to the green light on the breakwater, water having percolated through the concrete covering and corroded the piping. The large number of vessels in port during the month ensured a steady demand for electric clusters, with a consequent satisfactory revenue to the board.

Dredging. —The Paritutu’s ladder was reshipped during the earlier portion of the period, the vessel leaving Wellington on April 20, and arriving back in New Plymouth the following day. The deck and engine-room portions of the overhaul were immediately brought under way and are now completed, the vessel being again ready for service. The work put through in New Plymouth included the dismantling of the port and starboard engines, circulating pumps, etc., with the necessary adjustments to bearings, etc.; the taking adrift and overhauling of three deck winches-, the opening up and cleaning of the boiler; and the examination of the engines of the ladder and hopper door hoists. Two new deck plates were fitted around the rudder quadrant and three new plates rivetted and welded on the main deck, while two segment plates with the necessary angle irons were welded around the base of the funnel. SUPPLIES OF SAND & SHINGLE. The matter of obtaining shingle from the various beaches for use on the works, particularly on the proposed new Moturoa wharf, was reported on in a supplementary report by Mr. Lowson as follows: A periodical inspection had been made of the different lengths of beaches between the base of Paritutu and the boulders lying off Omata, and the results of such observations charted for each section. The records showed little cause for qualification as the supply of shingle on the beach in question was very poor during the period, although earlier in the year very large deposits of gravel were observed thereon.

The shingle appeared to lie around the base of Paritutu and alongside the small islands adjacent thereto fairly continually though not in large quantities and very often mixed with dense black sand. Possibly it would be best to work this locality first, and a method whereby it was suggested that the sand might be obtained was set out in detail. A certain amount of the plant required was already possessed by the board. It was thought that motor tractors might possibly supercede horses in connection with the hauling work on the beach, but extensive tests had been carried out in I his direction, and these experiments had proved that this method o-f traction was impracticable. Fair quantities of shingle were oftentimes available on that portion of the Ngamotu Beach between Bayly Road and Moon’s Reif, and such could be easily procured in the event of the stone tramway being laid thereto. SUPPLY OF ROCK. A further report on the supplies of boulders obtainable on the beach between Bayly Road and Me on’s Reef was supplied by Mr. Lowson. An inspection had been made of the locality and investigation showed that the stone was on the surface and the mass had no depth whatever. There was evid< ntly far from sufficient stone therein to complete the work in hand, and concrete blocks would be heavily drawn upon both for foundation and the protecting apron during the construction of the last portion of the mole. As, however, only 600 feet of breakwater extension remained to be completed, together with a 300 foot wave deflector, it seemed doubtful whether it would pay the board to go further afield for supplies. Operations would extend eventually along three-quarters of a mile of beach and the plant required on the job would include a powCT log hauler and a 20-ton £rane. Access to the section of the beach in question could be obtained fairly easily provided the Railway Department would agree to the board utilisng the Government line from the breakwater to beyond

the freezing works, thence turning out on a private siding down the small gully to its intersection with Bayly Road near the beach. An alternate route all the way round from the root of the breakwater was also set aside. In the event of the board's wagons being utilised the cost per ton for haulage would be very slight.

The cost of the work could not be estimated until the Railway Department staled their requirements, but the cost of the plant would be about £2850. In discussing the engineer’s report regarding the obtaining of gravel, the importance of saving the gravel was stressed by the chairman, and he considered that stations for storing, the gravel should be established. If the gravel was obtained from outside sources the expense might be very great. He considered it was a very important point to be considered by the board. The report was adopted. The engineer was authorised to take steps immediately to procure all the gravel westward of Paritutu. It was decided to call for tenders for a supply of chips to supplement the general supply, and it was also resolved to call renders for a. supply of gravel between Bayly Road and Moon’s Reef, and also eastward of the Henui stream, the gravel td be delivered at the breakwater or at some depo* on the beach. TRADE AT THE FORT. The harbourmaster (Captain W. Waller) reported for the past month as follows: During April 32 vessels of an aggregate tonnage of 72,015 tons entered the port. The imports were 14,064 tons and the exports 5316 tons; total 19,380 tons. Government coal landed amounted to 851 The t.s. Gallic (7912 tons) loaded 1658 tons of frozen meat (draught 22ft. 3in). Owing to difficulties in working she was 21 days in port, a long period for the amount of cargo handled. The s.s. Pinna (6121 tons) landed 18,575 cases of benzine (draught 20ft). The t.s. Port Wellington (7750 tons) landed 2559 tons of basic slag and general cargo. She loaded 101 tons of produce (draught 20ft. 3in.). Through being delayed two days before a berth was available she shut out between 4000 and 5000 crates of cheese. The t.s. Mamari (8114 tons) loaded 932 tons of frozen meat and cheese (draught 24ft.). The motor ship Enion (4425 tons) landed 4250 tons of basic slag (draught 22ft. 7in).

In a supplementary report Captain Waller stated that the dredger Paritutu arrived back from Wellington on April 21 after undergoing her annual survey and overhaul. It was suggested that when she again started dredging the western side of the Moturoa wharf should be cleaned out, siltation having taken place, especially alongside the coal bunkers, and also on the eastern side of the liners’ berth and the remaining portion of the approach to the Newton King wharf. The berthage on the south side was urgently needed, and should be available for vessels of considerable draught after being, widened and deepened. There are about 15 overseas vessels due here during the next two months.

It was suggested that a combined grab and suction dredger be procured to work in conjunction with the Paritutu. Such a vessel would prove of great value in working ahead of the Paritutu by removing boulders, as well as assisting to maintain the fairway depth, and reducing the sand* bank inside the breakwater. The vessel would greatly expedite the dredging, and would also be useful for towing, purposes when required. The Thomas King did valuable maintenance work in former years, enabling the Paritutu to concentrate on the deepening of the harbour. The report was adopted. WORKS COMMITTEE. The following recommendations from the works committee were adopted:—(l) That the New Plymouth Motor Cycle Club be permitted to hold a trial run on the Beil Block beach provided all the necessary precautions were taken to safeguard the public; (2) that full power be given the committee to go into the matter of additional accommodation for the watersiders at the port. The committee had considered the application of the British Imperial Oil Company for a site on which to erect oil stores, but it was decided to draw up a comprehensive plan of the whole of the board’s reserve for further consideration. GENERAL. The matter of stationing a permanent watchman at the wharf was left in the hands of the chairman, the watchman to be supplied with a telephone. In regard to the proposal to establish post and telegraph facilities at Moturoa, the board decided to support any move taken in this direction. Reference to the faithful service rendered by the late dredge master (Captain J. McMahon) was made by the chairman, and it was resolved to forward him a letter of appreciation and. wishing him success in his new appointment. Mr. Bellringer said Captain 0. F. Mclntyre commenced his duties yesterday morning.

It was decided to call tenders for 50,000 tons of quarry stone, more or less, the delivery to be extended over a period of three years.