WHARF BERTHAGE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 12, 6 October 1942, Page 5

WHARF BERTHAGE

QUESTION OF DEEPENING

DR AINAG !■: DEPARTMENT'S CO-OPERATION

The question of deepening and evening- the berthage space 'alongside the Wliakatane wlvarf has occupied the Harbour Board for some time since the recent complaint from the Northern Steamship Co. At the last meeting as a result of enquiries about the installation of a gravel pump, it has learnt that this method would be too expensive for the Board's means and a further proposal for dredging was considered'.

Tlie matter has been referred to the Chief Drainage Engineer, Mr 11. Taylor, who reported: It appeared that approximately 750 cubic yards of material had to be dredged, from an area 450 feet long and !10i feet wide at the wharf. This could be done by the Model 20 Bay City Excavator still at Rangitaiki provided a suitable grab was available. The machine must operate on the wharf using the grab to deliver spoil to motor trucks. The only grab the partment had that this machine could use was 5 to 6 cubic feet ca-, pacify and weighs 6201b5. emptv.lt is doubtful if this grab had su:icient weight to penetrate the material to be dredged and before anything was done it would be advisable to ascertain if a heavier grab could be obtained, if required, from Auckland or elsewhere. The machine mentioned above is the only one of the department's four light excavators that has not been taken for defence work. Because of the importance of the work it, is doing, it, has been left at Jlangitaiki "at call'' for defence work. It would be inadvisable to undertake work for the Board while it is possible that the machine may not be available to complete it. He suggested advising the Board thai, if the machine was available in say about three months time, it could be hired by the Board for dredging the wharf berthage at £5 .5s per eight hour day. This charge to include wages of operator at ordinary rates of pay. The chairman, Mr W. R-< Boon, reported that he had advised that the Board would be very pleased indeed if this Department would undertake the work of clearing up and evening up the town wharf berthage. It had to be appreciated that the scope of the work would embrace the wharf frontage only.

The board briefly discussed the position and delegated th| matter of obtaining a suitable gfab and of completing all arrangements in the chairman's and secretary's hands-