OPUNAKE WHARF UNSAFE

Taranaki Daily News, 2 September 1933, Page 6

OPUNAKE WHARF UNSAFE

MOTION DURING HEAVY SEAS SWAY OF SEVERAL FEET OBSERVED. PIER TO BE DISMANTLED. Following a report that the end of the wharf swayed dangerously during heavy seas the Opunake Harbour Board decided yesterday that the structure be dismantled. It was decided in the meantime to erect a warning notice that the pier was dangerous. The matter was brought up as the result of the secretary reporting that he had seen the end of the wharf sway violently during a heavy sea. The amount of play was several feet and he warned children against the practice of playing on the structure during such conditions. Mr. Mourie supported the secretary’s assertions. The chairman said he understood that the end had a sway of several feet and he believed that it was liable to collapse at any time. Mr. Sheat suggested that if the wharf was likely to fall down it would be-ad-visable to call tenders for demolishing the structure and disposing of the timber and material. He pointed out that there was much deck timber, tram rails and hardwood that could be sold and converted into money.

The chairman agreed with the suggestion that the material be salvaged, and moved that tenders be called for dismantling the decking and rails. He thought that the staging of the mole might also be demolished, and this suggestion was supported by Mr. Sheat. It was pointed out by the secretary that the material of the latter was not of the dimensions usually required .by local bodies, and the cost of salvage and transport nearly equalled that at which new hardwood could be landed. Finally it was resolved 'to call tenders for dismantling the wharf only, and that the works committee make an inspection with a view to framing conditions of tendering. The disposal of other material was also placed in the hands of the works committee. <