HARBOUR BOARD.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18557, 12 August 1922, Page 5

HARBOUR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the above was held last evening, Mr A. G. Bignell, chairman, presiding. Also present were Messrs Allen, Bruce, Meuli, Morrison,. Robinson, Russell and Gaptain Holm. Leave of absence was granted Messrs Bassett and Higginbottom. Mr R. W. Smith, M.P., wrote saying he would be pleased to render assistance to the Board’s foreshore Petition. A request from L. B. Sheppard, dredgemaster, to be provided with a house, was referred to the Works’ Committee. The offer of. Simons and Coy., offering to supply propeller blades for [the Rubi Seddon at £376 f.o.b. Glasgow. The offer was accepted. HARBOUR-MASTER'S REPORT. The report for the month ending 31st July was as follows; Entrance. —I obtained soundings at the entrance as . follows: —July Ist; Depth equal to 25ft. at h.w.0.5.t., and 22ft. at h.w. neaps; July 7th: Dept equal to 25ft. 6in. at h.w.0.5.t., and 22ft. Gin. at h,w. neaps; July 18th: Depth equal to 25ft. 6in. at h.w..0.5.t., and. 22ft. Sin. at h.w. neaps; July 28th; Depth equal to 25 ft. Sin. al h.w.OAt., and 22ft. Sin. at h.w neaps. The entrance, I am pleased to state, is still maintaining its depth well throughout the continuous easterly winds now prevailing for some considerable time. The depth between the moles is also very satisfactory, the least depth from end of moles to Heads Wharf on leaders is 21ft. at h.w.0.5.t., and 18ft. at h.w. neaps. River Channel. —The least depth of water between the Heads Wharf and the. Town Wharf is 14ft. at h.w.0.5.t., and lilt, at h.w. neaps. The fresh in the river on the 13th and 14tli July done good work by scour, and deepened the berthage at the Town Wharf from the lower end of the wharf shed and down stream, the top end of the wharf remains about the same as previously reported. The soundings at the Gas Wharf has also improved in depth and is now equal to the depth in the channel. Arrivals and Departures.—2ll vessels entered and departed to and from the port during the month, 106 entered and 105 departed, giving an aggregate tonnage of 49,348 tons. Tonnage for three liners in roadstead: 29,060 tons. The ocean liners “Port Kembla,” “Piako” and “Port Chalmers” were in the, roadstead during the month, and transhipped 72 lighter loads of frozen meat and general cargo. The report was adopted.

ENGINEER’S REPORT. Quarry.—The output for the month was 1815 tons. Two days were lost through weather and about two days in getting the seven-ton crane down the incline. Basin Wall.—Fair progress has been made during the month, but continual break downs of the old five-ton crane, which was being used on the punt to work the grab> caused considerable delay. In order to obviate these annoying delays I have had the 7-ton loco crane, which was standing in the quarry, brought down and installed on a punt, and this is now working satisfactorily. 1085 tons of rubble were used in facing mats and clay, and two large 100 ft. mats were placed in position, and also a smaller one about 90ft. in length. About. 150 ft. of the wall has now been raised above h.w.n. and filled with clay.

Castlecliff Wharf. —A number of piles have been got ready for driving and the piling machine repaired; some delay occurred to this work as I had all hands at work installing the crane as above; but everything is now practically ready to commence pile-driving. Dredging.—The dredge worked continuously except for three days lost while repairs were effected to the rudder post of the Mascotte, which carried away. 7780 tons of silt and clay were removed from the berthage. There is now a berth 412 ft. wide long by 10 0 ft. wide dredged to a minimum depth of 20ft. at l.w.s.t. Of the remainder of the berthage, 343 ft. in length, about 270 ft. has been dredged to 15ft. at l.w.s.t. (except the end on cut, which will only take a few days). This section, when completed, will make a berth available for an intercolonial or other medium sized vessel should the section with the 20ft depth be occupied by a larger vessel. Gas Wharf Dolphing.—This work has been completed. This berthage should now be much safer lor the vessel using same. Slip.—The “A.S. Zita” occupied the slip for 9 days. Motor Boat Landing.—This landing just above the Town Bridge was much decayed, so it has been overhauled and put in order. South Spit.—Additional sand grass has been planted. The report was adopted.