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Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 771, 21 March 1910, Page 8

Excluding the. crew, about 260 men are (says the Auckland "Herald") at present earning their daily bread on, the s.s. Kaipara, .which lies in Calliope l)ock under repair. About 160 are engaged on the work.of making the hull watertight, 80'. are' employed in renewing the insulation iri "the holds,/and another 20 aire painting the vessel.'The work on the hull proceeds day and night, the men'being divided into three shifts, which work eight hours each. The insulation is well in hand, but cannot be finished for about . a fortnight after the vessel is made watertight, so only one shift is' being worked at present, though possibly a second shift will be put on later. Inside and outside the vessel operations are being pushed on as-fast as possible, and the clanging of hammers resounds on all hands. The contractors for repairing the. hull, Messrs. J. H. Adams, of Auckland, and Hutehison' and Caiinpbell, Ltd., Wellington, are proceeding apace with, the work, which is being carried out under the personal supervision of Mr. J. H. Adams.- Fifteen new plates had to be put on the hull, and six of tie old plates straightened and rolled. In all, about 50 tons of ateel plating and angles are being put into the vessel, and for the purpose up-to-date pneumatic riveting, caulking, ohipping, and drilling machines have been obtained from Mr. Adams's workshop. About 10 plates have 1 been put on, and 'the tail shaft has been drawn, and a new propeller plate fixed. It is estimated that three-quarters of the work'has now been done, and the contractors are confident of finishing within the specified time. Lloyd's surveyors, have been inspecting the work as it has proceeded, and speak highly of it. When the Kaipara leaves Auckland ..Harbour she will bo in first-class order, and will require practically no. attention when she reaches the Old Country. j