WORK OF DREDGE

Taranaki Daily News, 15 March 1935, Page 3

WORK OF DREDGE

LARGE AMOUNT OF SAND MOVED. COMMENTS BY HARBOUR BOARD. Reference to the greatly improved condition of the dredge Paritutu was made at the monthly meeting of the New Plymouth Harbour Board yesterday, when the chairman, Mr. C. E. Bellringer, stated that last month the dredge had removed spoil equal to the whole amount for the previous 12 months. Reporting to the board on the activities of the dredge the foreman, Mr. J. Hawes, paid the Paritutu continued sand pumping up to and including March 2. The amount of sand lifted and taken to sea for that portion of the period was: .Outer end of sand bank, 16,800 tons; inner end of sand bank, 28,000 tons; total 44,800 tons. The total amount, of sand removed by suction pumping since commencing dredging on December 10, 1934, was: Outer end of sand bank 70,800 tons, inner end of sand bank 101,600 tons, total 172,400 tons. On March 4 and 5 the boilers were cleaned and preparation made for bucket dredging. On March 6 the moorings were laid and dredging commenced at the outer berth east side of Newton King wharf and continued to the end of the period, removing 3500 tons, all of which was dumped at sea. The only work done in connection with the breakwater was a small amount of grouting, this being confined chiefly to the old portion of the wall. One coastal and three overseas vessels made use of the deck crane for discharging cargo, working 81 hours exclusive of standing time. In addition to the maintenance of water service, electric service, and making ironwork for wharves, a fair amount of work was done in connection with dredging. The breakwater crane was being overhauled and repaired as time permitted. The roofs and iron walls of sheds and carpenters’ shop were painted. The recent heavy rain caused erosion to roads and foreshore. These had been repaired. Dead animals deposited along the foreshore were disposed of. Some of these animals were washed up along the rocky part of the foreshore and were very difficult to deal with. Five overseas ships and 23 coastal vessels worked the port during the month, reported the harbourmaster, Captain O. F. Mclntyre. The aggregate tonnage was 59,212 tons. Imports were 7740 tons, and exports 5206 tons, a total of 12,946 tons, and Government coal amounted to 1286 tons. The overseas ships were the Opawa 10,107 tons, draft 23ft 4in, Huntingdon 10,951 tons, 21ft 7in, Matahana 8048 tons, 22ft 6in, Port Hobart 7448 tons, 23ft Bin, Port Hobart 7448 tons, 22ft. Weather was fine throughout the month, with the exception of a moderate northerly on March 20 and 21, with heavy rain. It was decided that a special consolidated sinking fund should be constituted, and Messrs. Bellringer, J. H. H. Holm, C. H. Burgess and J. L." Campbell were appointed commissioners. Those present at the meeting were Messrs. C. E. Bellringer (chairman), E. Maxwell, J. R. Cruickshank, D. J. Malone, H. C. Taylor, a. H. H. Holm, W. T. Wells and J. L. Campbell.