PROGRESS OF THE PORT

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1927, Page 13

PROGRESS OF THE PORT

NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR CONSTRUCTION WORK IN HAND. WALL AND DREDGING FIRST, That the work is now well in hand and. that it will be necessary to concentrate On _ the dredging and’ breakwater construction. the former so as to be in readiness for the construction of the new wharf, was the opinion expressed E " Bel lringer : M.P., chairman . the New Plymouth Harbour Board, at its meeting yesterday. There were also present Messrs. E. Maxwell, D. J. MaJ - H. Holm, J. R. Cruickshank. W. C. Clement and W. T. Wells. The engineer (Mr. G. W. B. Lowson) submitted the following report for the period September 12 to October 8: — ■Dredging. The Paritutu's returns for the month show the following spoil to have, been deposited at sea:—Bucket dredging: Second Newton King east cut, 12,860 tons; second Newton King extension west, 2,000 tons; first Newton King east cut, 2,000 tons. Suction dredging: Sandbank. 24,000 tons; total, 40.800 tone. During the latter part of the period, weather conditions, which until then hhd been unsuited to bucket dredging on the exposed cuts near the sailing course, improved to such an extent as to permit of almost entire concentration on, this work. After properly completing the first cut eastward and ahead of the Newton King wharf, the dredge moved over further to the eastward hiid, commencing at the sailing course, brought the succeeding cut inshore (gentfally through fairly easily dredgeable country) to within 300 feet or so of the Newton King 'wharf, to a depth of 27 feet below low water and sufficiently wide to give deep water 210 feet east-of tho structure. Breakwater Extension.—Section No 48, as previously reported, was completed early in the month, and since then the foundation of section No. 4!) has been well built up with stone and concrete blocks. Flashing Light.—Loose blocks were laid on a rubble foundation for the new Rashing light standard, but are being given time for proper settlement before the erection of the lamp standard’ on its concrete base. SHORTAGE OF SHINGLE. ■ An abnormal shortage of shingle obtains on the Mikotahi beach, while the intending suppliers from the beach south of Paritutu have as yet not brought their plant into commission.. Blockmaking has therefore been sadly curtailed, but in other directions the stoppage has been rather opportune, full advantage being taken of it to push through other much needed work ashore. Altogether 231 cubic yards of gravel (132 yards by outside teams) were carted to the bins. For the above-mention-ed reasons, only eleven concrete blocks | (Noe. 1537 to 1547) were moulded in I the yard during the period. I Stone was sent from both quarries j ar.d Mikotahi beach to the breakwater, ■ to Mikatohi for wall repairs, to the blocks direct and to the roads and reclamation works, while 380 cubic yards | (mostly for road metal) were' put through the crusher. General improvements to the waterfront were carried out during the period, the storage shed used in the construction of the Newton King wharf and extension being moved over to the main yard as a cement shed, and the kerbing and channelling around it rclaid to suit the new lay out. The old roads were scarified and re-graded where necessary, the unsightly ditches alongside the rail-

way line filled in, and the large area at*the head of the approach wall graded, metalled and rolled. Concrete gutters have been pre cast to take the surface water down the railway line, other minor drainage arrangements attended to, unsightly power poles removed, much of the stock timber from the pile-yard taken over to Mikotahi, and fencing erected where advisable. The Borough Council is to be thanked-for its courtesy in placing its scarifier and roller at the board's disposal, and thus assisting to expedite and improve the road work. The steam shovel, working in conjunction with two motor lorries, removed 7,630 loose yards of spoil from the hank alongside the tram-line to the new yard on Ngamotu beach.

Further repairs were effected to the overseas berth of the Moturoa wharf, five old outside piles being drawn by the dredge and new ones driven in their places, in addition to two other bearing jnles. Stringer, cap, bracing and decking renewals were also made and the Wharf re opened to shipping before the arrival of the s.s. Kent. In addition, the general maintenance of both what • yee has been attended to, and the painting of the windscreens continued. The pilot launch underwent annual Government inspection, when a new tail shaft was fitted and repairs effected to the engine and the rudder. The dredge stokehold pump was thoroughly overhauled by the workshop staff, three more new dredge buckets completed, links bushed, rollers turned, and other incidental work carried out.- New air and water services were laid round the breastwork, and wharf lighting; ships’ Clusters, etc., maintained in good order. The chairman considered the -report Very satisfactory. All the works were well in hand. It would be necessary to concentrate on the dredging and the breakwater extension. The dredging was necessary to prepare for the construction of the new wharf.

HARBOURMASTERS REPORT. 'The harbourmaster /Captain W. Waller) reported that for the month of September 37 vessels had entered the port, Of an aggregate tonnage of 65,140 tons. Imports had totalled 8418 tons, and exports 2307, making a total of 10.725 ions. Government coal totalling 568 tons had been landed. Five overseas ami one intercolonial steamships had Visited the port during the month, viz., the Port Hunter (8437 tons), loaded 440 tons of produce, draught 22ft Sin; Port Caroline (8263 tons), loaded 738 tons frozen meat, etc., draught 22ft 3in: Ocean Transport (4643 tons), landed 1171 tons of sulphur, draught 15ft fiin; E! Cievro (5841 tons), "discharged 834 tons of oil in bulk, draught 20ft Sin; Westmoreland (8986 tons;, loaded 416 tons of butter and cheese, draught 20ft Sin: Poolta (1578 tons), landed 615 tons »f hardwood timber and piles, draught 16ff 3in. During the month strong winds from south-east to south-west were experienced with much rain. ACCESS TO tTHE WHARF. When an application by E. Manning Jor the lease of a business site at the

port was before the board, the chairman reported that during last week he had interviewed some of the members of the Railway Board. They discussed the question of transferring back to the board the land giving access to the Moturoa wharf, but they stated that before that could be given effect to, it would be necessary for tlieiii to have land in order-to widen th'e road. They intimated that they -would shortly send one of j their officers to New Plymouth to make ; a complete survey. Until the board had an idea, of what was required it could not deal with any land. When the surI vey was made, they would have permanent plans and would know the position. As soon as the survey was completed, he would arrange with the chairman of the Railway Board and some of the officials to come to New Plymouth so as to meet the harbour board and discuss the position. It was resolved to defer consideration of the application. THE WAVE DEFLECTOR. In accordance with notice, Mr. E. Maxwell moved that no further action be taken in connection with the construction of the proposed wave deflector until the matter has been fully reconsidered by the board. He stated that it was necessary that the board concentrate as much as possible on breakwater extension, dredging and the construction of the new work, and they had no funds to expend on work that was not actually essential. The work already done had so far improved the position that it was open to question whether, when the work had progressed further, the deflector would be necessary. Mr. J. H. Holm, in seconding, said they must conserve their finance as much as possible. The chairman agreed that it. would be better to Concentrate on the works stated, and the motion was carried unanimously. With regard io the request of a number of launch owners at the port for a slip, Captain Waller reported that a convenient one could be made.- near the present boating elub’s - shed. The matter was referred to the engineer for a report and estimate. It was decided to make a contribution of £5 annually for five years to the Institute of Civil Engineers’ Sea I Action Committee for financial assistance for carrying out its investigations. It was resolved to charge overseas boats 5s per day for the use of telephones, with a minimum of 10s.