OPERATIONS AT THE PORT

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1926, Page 11

OPERATIONS AT THE PORT

NEW PLYMOUTH BOARD MEET WORKS CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS. DEEP WATER APPROACH AN ASSET. The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth Harbour Board was held yesterday. Present: Messrs. C. E. Bellringer, M.P. (chairman), Newton King, J. R. Cruickshank, J. McCluggage, J. S. Connett, G. W. Tayler and E. Maxwell. Leave of absence was granted to Messrs. W. T. Wells and W.' C. Clements. In submitting a plan of recent extensive harbour soundings to the board, Captain W. Waller, the harbourmaster, said it would be seen that the Paritutu had done good work in reducing the bank and deepening the fairway. The approach to the wharves had a depth of 23 feet at low water. One of the advantages the harbour possessed was a deep water approach with the sailing course to the wharves unobstructed by buoys. This was a great asset when manoeuvring large vessels. The extension of the breakwater by upwards of 500 feet was having a marked effect on the range at the Newton King wharf, as well as enabling launches in the harbour to lie. more quietly at their moorings. When the prescribed length of the breakwater extension (800 feet) had been reached, it might be well to consider whether an additional 100 feet or so would be a distinct advantage in adding to the tranquility of the harbour and, if so, to extend it while the plant was in running order. In conclusion, Captain Waller said lie believed the value of a wave deflector would be seen at the outset. SHIPPING AND CARGOES. Shipping using the port during November was reported on by the harbourmaster. Twenty-nine vessels had entered the harbour, their aggregate tonnage being 50,988. Imports.totalled 10,732 tons and exports 4130 tons, an aggregate of 14,862 tons. Government eoal landed amounted to 532 tons. Four overseas boats and one intercolonial arrived. The m.v. Enton (4425 tons/ landed 1240 tons of American merchandise, draft 16ft.; the s.s. Turakina (8565 tons) discharged 2263 tons of general cargo and loaded 1217 tons of frozen meat and produce, draft 21ft. 2in.; the m.v. Port Hobart (7448 tods) loaded 1222 tons of produce, draft 23ft.; the s.s. West Nivaria (5652 tons) landed 1204 tons of cargo, draft 17ft.; the s.s. Gabriella (1587 tons) landed coal and hardwood timber, draft 15ft. Bin. Strong northerly and westerly winds, accompanied by rough seas prevailed during the earlier portion of the period between November 15 and December 11 and interfered greatly with dredging operations, but fine weather was experienced later on, reported the resident engineer (Mr. G. W. B. Lowson). On the Newton King wharf extension the piles of the remaining piers (100, 101, 102 and 103) were all driven, and the derricks manoeuvred into position for placing the piles around the corners of the wharf. The last of these piles was driven on scheduled time on November 30, and the equipment, after being used to place the caps at the end of the structure, was dismantled and removed to the yard. The beams have been fully laid to pier 96 and partly to pier 100, the sleepering has been brought forward to pier 88 and partly to pier 94, while the sway bracing has been fitted to pier 97. Some decking has also been laid, bollards shaped, and the strutting built into the far corners of the wharf. Particularly good progress has been made in tidal work, practically all the lower walings being in position, and only about 30 transverse diagonal braces remaining to be placed. WORK ON THE BREAKWATER. On the new Moturoa wharf approach, a further length (58J lineal feet) of mass concrete footing wall was constructed around and beyond the site of the steps, and the lower portion of the latter constructed in reinforced concrete. The first portion of the wall proper has been well advanced, the concrete facing blocks being set on heavily rammed rubble and several coping blocks laid in position. Twenty-one of the latter were moulded in the yard, as well as 15 backing blocks. Minor repairs only were effected to the decking of the Moturoa wharf, the div&r also inspecting the pile sheathing of same. In addition, several chafing pieces on the piles of the eoal bunker wharf were renewed.

Two more sections (Nos. 39 and 40) have been added to the extension of the breakwater, advancing it a further 26 feet to a total distance of 506 feet. The end was then well packed around with stone and concrete blocks partly forming the foundation of the following section. In addition to concrete blocks, 367 tons of stone were used in foundation and protective work thereon. A few tons of stone and eight concrete blocks were placed on the apron protecting the older portion of the breakwater. This protecting apron (opposite and some distance back of the Green Light) is now in a most excellent state of repair. On account of work carried out in connection with breakwater extension and protection, and latterly owing to the large crane being laid up for renewal of the broken hoisting drum shaft, only 26 concrete blocks (Nos. 1097 to 11221 were manufactured in the yard during the month. DREDGING RETURNS. Supplies of gravel on the Mikotahi beach were steady though not over-plen-tiful, the board's teams 'securing 583 cubic yards from there and from Horse Shoe Bend, while a further 174 cubic yards were delivered under contract from Ngamotu beach; 235 cubic yards of stone were also sent to the crusher from Fishing Rock. The dredger 'Paritutu continued to work double shifts throughout the period, concentrating on bucket dredging the third fairway, mostly down to a depth of 27 feet below low water. One cut lias been run through to the head of the Moturoa wharf and another parallel cut commenced. Rough weather hindered the work during the first fortnight of the month in question, no less than 87 working hours being lost through this cause, but the following returns reveal the material lifted and deposited at sea: Bucket dredging third fairway, 23,700 tons; suction dredging sandbank, 14.400 tons;. total, 38,100 tons. The Fishmg Flock quarry Las lately been sending out some fairly good stone and. has ,supplied most OX that used on tbit apjitogch wall, ian/1 in, blocks, etc.: The Ltixiiig quarry, supplied, about 7.1

tons of stone. The steam shovel was brought down and re-erected in the yard, the overbridge demolished, and other general work attended to. The work was progressing very well, commented the chairman, and the fact that 180 feet had been added to the breakwater this year was very satisfactory, especially when it was considered there had been a great deal of rough weather. Before the meeting concluded. Mr. Bellringer wished the board members and the stuff the compliments of the season. He conveyed Captain Waller’s appreciation of the manner in which Captain Mclntyre Jrad recently taken up the duties of harbourmaster at very short notice. The board, too, was indebted to Captain Mclntyre . ..