IS IT A DANGER?

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 219, 15 September 1928, Page 3

IS IT A DANGER?

NEW HARBOUR GROYNE ENQUIRY ASKED FOB Intimation was Deceived by the Wanganui Harbour Board at its monthly meeting yesterday that the New Zealand Shipowners’ Federation Intended to ask the Acting Minister of Marine to appoint a small committee of experts to hold an inquiry into the question as to whether or not the new groyne at Wanganui constituted a serious danger to shipping. The Board was asked to concur in this matter. The chairman (Air A. G. Bignell) presided, and there was also present Afessrs W. and J. Morrison, J. Russell, J. Patterson, A. Robinson, and F. Allen. The chairman stated that the request was a continuation of the agitation by coastal captains. The Board would have to be careful that it was not asked to pay the costs of the, inquiry and also that the commission was composed of competent men. It was resolved that the Board was perfectly satisfied with the groyne, but had no objection to an inquiry being conducted, provided that the Board entailed no costs in consequence and that the presonnel and scope of the commission be subject to its approval. The chairman remarked that ever since the groyne had been completed there had been an even depth at the entrance. Previous to this there was not a reliable depth. Engineer’s Report The resident engineer’s report was as follows: Oil Wharf. —Except for a small addition asked for subsequent to the main additions, this work has been completed. Groyne, Mitchell’s Reach.—Considerable delay was experienced at the commencement of this work owing to the difficulty of manoeuvring the pile driving plant against adverse tidal and wind conditions. However, better progress is now being made, and the piles in about one third of the length of the groyne have been driven. Anchorage Beacons.—New anchorage beacons on the north beach have been erected, the material being obtained from the beacon removed from south beach. Arrangements have been made for these to be lighted by connection with the street lighting system. Dredging.—The bucket dredge was employed from August 1 to 9 in cleaning up the berthage at the top end of No. 1 berth, Castlecliff, to a depth of 20 feet at 1.w.0.5.t. From August 10 to 29 the vessel was employed in deepening the berth at the oil wharf, this work being carried out on account of 8.1.0. Company. The material was fine white sand which is difficult to handle. The following were the quantities dredged during the month:—From No. 1 Berth, Castlccliff 1,232 cubic yards; from 8.1.0. jetty 2,744 cubic yards; total 3,976 cubic yards. On August 30 the dredge was laid up and the crew paid off. Slip.—The lighter Thistle was slipped. During the process the cradle came off its bed; no damage resulted to the vessel, but some of the timbers and ironwork in the cradle were strained and have now been replaced.