OAMARU HARBOUR

Wairarapa Daily Times, 20 July 1934, Page 6

OAMARU HARBOUR

BREAKWATER EXTENSION. OAMARU, Thursday. The Oamaru Harbour Board, at a special meetin gthis morning, decided with one dissentient to proceed with the extension of the existing breakwater at an estimated cost of £3 1 ,100. The proposed extension is to afford protection for the dredging of the channel, allowing of a greater depth of water by two feet than at present and permitting an increase in the draught of vessels working the port from 19 feet 6 inches to 21 feet 6 inches. For many years past, the board has built up a fund out of revenue for harbour improvements such as are proposed. The fund stands to-day at £33,000, which,' with other funds, brings the total to £40,000 at the disposal of the board to carry out the scheme. Breakwater extensions had been previously reported on by the engineers, Messrs Williams and Furkert, and to-day Mr G. A. Lee, of Auckland, consulting engineer to the board, submitted two proposals, one for a 1000 feet extension estimated to cost £66,000 and the second for a 500 feet extension estimated to cost £37,100, the second and smaller scheme being adopted by tlip board meantime, as the additional 500 feet extension could be proceeded with in future, when more funds are available. The ultimate object is an increase in the depth of the channel to permit the working of vessels with, a draught fo 23 feet 6 inches. A trial shot in the board’s quarry near the breakwater recently disclosed a laige proportion of large, suitable stone foi the proposed work and the strengthening of the present breakwater permitting the board to embark on the undertaking. The decision of the board will not become effective until the making of definite arrangements with the Unemployment' Board for a subsidy on the wages of the workmen and the approval of the Marine Department is obtained. It is proposed to name the extension the Ramsay extension, in compliment to the late Captain Ramsay, a former Harbourmaster at Oamaru, who urged the necessity of extending the breakwater twenty years ago. — (P.A.)