DREDGING POLICY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21529, 16 December 1939, Page 10

DREDGING POLICY

Grab Dredger Suggested Harbour Board To Secure Report The question of the dredging policy to be adopted by the Timaru Harbour Board was discussed at the monthly meeting yesterday when it was decided by the Works Committee on the motion of the chairman, Mr W. T. Ritchie and Mr A. F. Campbell, “that it be a recommendation to the Board that a report be prepared as to circumstances and costs under which a suitable grab dredger may be chartered (probably while the Dredge “350” is at Oamaru) for the purpose of con- , ducting an experiment in the use of this type of dredge to gain experience I on which to frame the Board's future dredging policy.” The Works Committee reported that it had considered the question of the l dredging policy at some length and | arrived at the following decisions which are recommended to the Board for adoption:— “It. is recommenced that the negotiations with the Oamaru. Harbour Board be pushed ahead, bearing in mind that the dredge will probably be available about the first week in April. “In the meantime the dredge is to do as much work as possible in the area which is to be the new Inner Harbour; should the weather prevent dredging in this area the vessel will move to the channel cut. The Dredgemaster has advised against dredging inwards from the outer end of the channel cut as the swell might force the ladder against the bank and so damage it. In view of this the risk of bringing up further timber must be taken. The engineer reports that as the corners have been cut off the bucket lips the risk is reduced.” The Works Committee also reported as follows: New Diving Suit:—The engineer forwarded a report which had been received from the Bluff Harbour Board regarding the second-hand diving plant under offer. The report indicated that the diving plant is not suitable for the Board's purposes and the engineer was instructed to obtain quotations for one new suit. Waterfront Control Board:— The Board wrote pointing out that the inner rail on No. 1 wharf wa.s too, far distant from the edge of the wharf for convenient discharge of cargo in view of that fact that many ships have short derricks. The Transport Control Board suggested that a complete additional inner rail be provided. The engineer stated that the cost would be at least £5OO which would fall on revenue. Captain White stated that in the meantime No. 3 wharf could be made to suffice. The committee recommended that a reply be sent to the effect that owing to the uncertainty of the war situation and the future number of overseas ships to visit the port the matter be deferred until it was seen whether the Harbourmaster could make efficient use of No. 3 wharf for vessels discharging cargo. Accidents at Quarry:—The engineer reported on accidents which had occurred to two employees, Messrs McAuliffe and Mangos. The committee noted that both occurences had been wholly accidental and that the quarry inspector had since visited the quarry and found everything to be in order.

Securing Supplies—The engineer reported that he was experiencing increasing difficulty in obtaining supplies of materials and recommended that three years’supplies of some commodities be purchased.—The committee recommended that a report be obtained from the engineer embodying his recommendations as to the nature and quantities of supplies required. The report was adopted.. Finance Committee The Finance Committee reported, inter alia, as follows: Tenders for Sleepers:—The committee recommended that the engineer’s recommendation of Messrs Timber, Coal and Box Agency’s tender for £287/10/-, c.i.f., second grade black butt sleepers) be adopted. Tenders for Timber:—The committee recommended that the engineer's recommendation of Messrs Richardson, McCabe and Co Ltd tender of £145/15/-, c.i.f. and e, including sales tax be adopted. Wages of Scheme 13 men working at Quarry:—The secretary reported that a claim had been received for the payment of an additional Jd an hour for all Scheme 13 men working near the quarry. The General Labourers’ Award stated that this should be paid to men working in or about a quarry and men working on the quarry floor handling stone have already been paid but payment had been withheld from men stripping clay from the top of the stone some distance from the quarry face. The committee recommended that this be adhered to. Sales of stone:—The South Canterbury Hospital Board wrote asking for a reduction in the Board’s account for £45 for 30 tons of spalls at 30- a ton. The committee recommended that as the present cost of stone exceeded this figure and as the quantities were generously estimated a reduction in the account could not be made. The report was adopted. The meeting was attended by the chairman, Mr W. T. Ritchie, and Messrs F. R. Flatman, T. B. Garrick K. Mackenzie, R. s. Goodman, W. H. Hall, B. H. Howell. H. M. Whatman A. F. Campbell. D. C. Turnbull