Deeper Harbour Entrance New Groyne At Heads Satisfactory So Far

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 5, 9 December 1947, Page 5

Deeper Harbour Entrance New Groyne At Heads Satisfactory So Far

Indications are that the new groyne at the Heads is going to prove very successful, the chairman told the Board. If it proved satisfactory, that -would make it possible to work the port with the present boats even at half tide.

He said on a recent occasion when "he had been over the entrance there had been a depth there of at least 16 feet. A long spell of dry weather would test the new position, but he :felt a great improvement had been effected. ' Boats Save Time Mr H. W. Brabant said the skippers of all the boats that came here were behind the Board’s effort to improve the depth at the entrance, which he said was now not less than 11 feet, and boats were coming up the river three hours ahead of the tide. The groyne itself was holding very well indeed and had stood vsome quite heavy storms. • The Harbourmaster, Capt. Carey, • also reported that the channel was in good order. He said there was a ■clear 9 to 10 feet of water at high tide and, in answer to a question : from Mr W. Hunter, said there seemed to be some silting up at the wharf, where the Clansman now touched bottom at low water, but he gave it as his opinion that the ■depth at the bar would not affect the depth at the -wharf. Navy May Blast Rocks “If the amount of water on the bar is any indication, the groyne at the Heads is doing the work it was ■designed to do,” reported the engineer, Mr C. H. Brebner. “The Navy ' will be inspecting the rocks in the fairway which are exposed as a result of the scdur caused by the new groyne. It is to be hoped they will • agree to remove them, and if that Is done there should be no difficulty in vessels with a draught of ten feet using the port.” According to adviee the Board has • received from the Naval Officer in Charge, Devonport, the Base Torpedo Officer, Mr R. E. Ansley, will be available to visit Whakatene on December 16 to consult with the - Board’s engineer regarding the removal of the obstructions.