STATE OF NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9232, 18 November 1891, Page 2

STATE OF NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR.

REPORT OF THE ACTING ENGINEER-

IN-CHIEF. We are indebted to Mr E. M. Smith, M.H 11., for the following report by Mr Hales, the acting Engineor-in-Chiof, on tho state of our harboui :—: — 4th November, 1891. Hon. Minister for Public Works. Sir, — I have examined the New Plymouth Harbor, and find that a very large body of fine sand has accumulated at the western side of the breakwater, extending from about 30 feet from the outer end, in along the face of the breakwater, to the point where the timber wharf joins tho solid concrete structure, and rising above the level of low water at ordinary neap tides, in places where there was a depth at low water of from 12 to 17 feet before the breakwater was constructed. This runs out across tbe Harbor in a westerly direction for a distance of about 800 ft. from the face of the breakwater, so that it prevents steamers of moderately heavy draft from approaching the wharf, and necessitates smaller steamers going so »ear the shore when entering or leaving the Harbor, that the navigation is difficult and somewhat dangerous. At the outer end of the wharf the sand bank is nearly level with the surface of the water at low tide, and at the inner end it is forming under the wharf into the berths for vessels loading stock, so that it will soon render these berths useless for the accommodation of vessels, if the sand is not removed by dredging. There will be no difficulty in excavating the sanl with an ordinary ladder and bucket dredger, which could be worked at all times in the harbour, except when a north or north-east wind is blowinsr, as there is very little send of the sea during the prevailing south-west winds. Soundings and measurements of the harbour inside the breakwater have been taken by Mr Skinner, of the Survey Department at New Plymouth, who ia now preparing plans and "sections showing the position and form of the sand bank, so that tbe quantity of stuff requiring to bo removed can be taken out and the cost estimated. As steamers of moderate size, such as the Takapuna, cannot now go alongside the wharf, and it is rapidly becoming difficult for steamers of small size to approach and leave it, there is great necessity for something being done coon to remove the sand and keep the channel to the wharf open. Owing to the quantity of sand requiring to be removed, it will be necessary to employ a dredger- of considerable power, and therefore if the plant now employed at Westport could be procured, it would be advisable to obtain the use of it for a time failing which the Oamaru dredge might be engaged. Will. H. Halks. Acting Engineer-in-Chief . Extract from lotter from Secretary Oamaru Harbour Board to Hon. Minister for Public Works, dated 4th September, 1891. The Beard has a hopper dredge which it could hire to tho Government, and the j Board is willing to fix the rental at the same rate as quoted to Mr O'Connor for the Greymouth and Westport improvements, viz., one hundred pounds per month for twelve months, and one hundred and fifty pounds per month for any leaser period . All expenses, insurance, and repairs to be paid by the Government from the time of the dredge leaving the port of | Oamaru until the vessel is returned to tho same port again. The insurance to be for £12,000, the dredge having cost the Board £16,000. The dredge steams when loaded about 6 miles per hour, and dredges to a depth of ; 25ft. at low water. The dredge has been laid up forcighteen months, consequently the hull under water would require to be scraped in dock and painted before being set to work again. The daily cost of working the dredgo, including labour, coals, oil, waste, and small stores, amounts to about £6 6s. The repairs during the last year the vessel was at work, including renewal of ropes and wearable tackle, amounted to rather more than £350, and the docking and painting will cost you about £113 each time the vessel is docked, exclusive of special insurance for trip to dock. The amount of expenditure on repairs varies with the kind of work, and might be more or less accordingly. The men required to work the dredge for ladder work are as follows (some slight reduction in the number might be made if the pump process were adopted): — Wages approximate for nine hours' work: Engineer ... £18 to £20 per month Master £12 to £14 „ Firemen (2), eaoh £10 „ Winchmen (2), each £10 „ Deck hands (3), each £8 „ Cook £8 „ The men find themselves in food, the cook and utensils being generally supplied. Coal required ... 40 to 50 tons per month Oils — Caster 34gals, Colza sgals, Kerosene, 12gals ... „ Soda 561bs, Tallow 561bs ... „ Small stores, general (say) £2 10s „ I have, &c, Thos. Forrester, Secretary.