WHARF BERTHAGE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 98, 13 August 1943, Page 5

WHARF BERTHAGE

UNIFORM DEPTH ACHIEVED KNGIX EEll'S REPORT The long task of satisfactorily deepening the berthage at the Whakatane Harbour Board's town wharf has now been completed satisfactorily, according to a report from the board's acting-engineer, Mr R. O. Tomkins. ! The question was Jirst raised by the Northern Steamship Company and its prosecution has entailed considerable difficulties for the board. The report on the work which was received, at the board's last meeting reads:— "During the period from the. 25th June to 22nd July the Lands Department excavator was engaged in deepening the channel alongside the wharf. The object ay as to obtain a minimum depth of 7ft of water at O.L.W.S. tide alongside the piles and to eliminate any unevenness in the bed. Soundings, taken by the Harbourmaster after the completion of the work show that this objective has been attained to a satisfactory degree. The excavator oporated along the entire length of the wharf with a maximum throw of approximately 35 feet. Some 830 lorry loads of spoil, representing on a conservative basis 2000 cubic yards, were carted away and spread on both sides of the Heads Road. A hard crust was encountered in places which was penetrated only after much difficulty. It was found that the. grab bucket sent down from Auckland was unsuitable and the whole of the work was done Avitli the drag-line shovel. As a result of the. experience gained any similar work required, in the future could be done more quickly and economically. Details of the cost of the work are not yet available but it is expected tliiit it Avill be in the vicinity of £320. The work was carried out in collaboration with the chairman." The board decided, that a letter of thanks be conveyed to the offirers of the Lands and Survey Department responsible for the etlllient carrj-ing out of the deepening of the wharf berthage, viz. Messrs Taylor and Watts —that Mr Jnnis be thanked for his co-operation in having made the department's plant aA'ailable for the work —that similarly the board convey its .thanks: to the acting-engineer. Mr R. O. Tomkins.