PATEA RIVER WALLS

Taranaki Daily News, 4 September 1935, Page 8

PATEA RIVER WALLS

SAFETY MEASURES TO BE TAKEN. REPAIR WORK TO COST £l2OO. Protective measures to ensure greater safety for the harbour . walls at the mouth of the Patea River are to be undertaken by the Patea Harbour Board immediately. The development of a crack in the western wall had for some time caused concern as to the safety of the end of that wall, estimated to weigh about 600 tons, while undermining of tire foundations of the eastern wall had caused a portion of tire wall to tilt towards the river channel. The board had sought advice from Mr. C. F. Pulley, Wellington, who constructed the walls from 1916 to 1920, and had also had advice from another engineer. After inspecting the walls Mr. Pulley recommended certain protective work to both walls at an. estimated cost of about £l2OO. A committee of the board consisting of Messrs. A. T. Christensen (chairman), W. Back and W. H. Southcombe was appointed to deal with the matter. At yesterday’s meeting of the board the chairman said the committee had considered Mr. Pulley’s proposals and recommended that the work be carried out under the supervision of Mr. Pulley. They would have to have an expert in charge, and it was considered that Mr. Pulley’s knowledge of the work fitted him for the position. There was nothing to fear immediately regarding the safety of the walls, but it was thought desirable to have the work done as soon as possible. ■ Owing to the heavy westerly and southerly winds prevailing during the, month shipping was poor, reported the harbourmaster, Captain W. E. Barnes. There were only six arrivals and five departures. The bar was unworkable for 18 days, and from. August 14 to August 30 no vessels could cross. He sounded the bar on August 2 and obtained excellent depths, but the continuous westerly weather had shoaled the bar considerably, and at present there was only about a foot and a-half to add to the gauge at the entrance. Heavy rain had brought down a lot of silt and shoaled up between the wharves and at the viaduct. The dredge operated as required and when the weather permitted, and was now engaged relieving the shoaling at the viaduct. The walls were, in the same condition as when he last reported. Scouring was still taking place at Aitchison’s point and two fairly big slips had come down during the recent wet weather. With regard to the groyne to be constructed at Atchison’s point the chairman stated the county engineer, who was co-operating with the board, would take soundings on Saturday, and would then draw plans of the proposed work for submission to the board. After the meeting the board members inspected the locality. It was decided to write oS £7B in outstanding rates. The chairman stated that they were very fortunate that there was outstanding so small an amount, most of which was native rates and practically irrecoverable. The exports for July were 2013 tons of an approximate value of £122,000, compared with 1473 tons valued at £90,920 in July, 1934. The imports in July last were 385 tons, compared with 152 tons in July, 1934. Those present were Messrs. A. T. Christensen (chairman)’, S. Blake, W. Back, G. H. Meuli, A. Pearce, W. H. - Watkins and W. H. Southcombe.