PORT OF WANGANUI

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2145, 11 May 1914, Page 5

PORT OF WANGANUI

AN UP-TO-DATE DREDGE ORDERED PLANS FOR SHIP BASIN. (By TelesraDh.—Press Association) Wanganui, May 9., With tho rocent carrying of tho poll authorising the Wanganui Harbour Board to raise a loan of £150,000 for the further improvement of tho port, the way is now clear for tho board to' put its proposals into effect, and at last night's meeting of tlio board, several important decisions were como to. When Mr. C. H. Howarth, the hoard's engineer, was at Home a few months ago ho arranged with leading dredgebuilders to forward tenders for a new dredge, tho understanding being that these should arrive- in Wanganui boforo the time of the poll so that the successful tenderer could he notified by cablegram as soon as possibles afterwards. The tenders duly arrived and were examined with the result that, last evening, it was resolved that tho board accept a tender at £35,030 by Messrs. Fleming and Ferguson, of Paisley, Scotland, for the building and delivery of tho new dredge. Tho new dredgo will bo of the very latest type and, though slightly smaller than tho Lyttelton Harbour Board's dredge, Canterbury, she will have improvements and attachments that no other dredge at present in New Zealand lias. Then tender of Messrs. Strothbeit and Pitt, of Glasgow, was accepted for the supply of two steam cranes at £1354 each llieso additions making four that will he in use for handling of material for new works. Mr. W. G. Bassett gave notice "ito movo at next meeting as follows:— "That a plan be prepared showing tho proposed floating basin, and its surroundings, including the freezing works and all laud lying between tho basin and the Heads Road, and that this plant bo submitted to Mr. W. Ferguson, C.E., of Wellington; also that l)e ho asked on what terms he will visit AVanganui and proparp a skeleton plan only showing what, in his opinion, should- be the completo arrangement and location of wharves, import and o.vport sheds, stores, dumping plant, cranes,' railway sidings, roads, access, etc. : Detail! matters, as well as the appointmont of a competent engineer to superviso the building of tho dredge and to watch the hoard's interests in connection therewith were referred to the Works Committee. Mr. J. B. Murray was unanimously re-elected chairman of tho board. All documents in connection with the contract for the new dredge were- signed by the board's and contractors' New Zealand representatives to-day, and the order will bo rallied Homo forthwith.