AUCKLAND WHARF COLLAPSE.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1924, Page 4

AUCKLAND WHARF COLLAPSE.

INVESTIGATING THIS CAUSE. AUCKLAND, November ”0. The enquiry into the collapse of the Western Wharf was continued to-day. Hugh G. Voting, for 19 years in the Ilnrbdiir Board’s employ, in ■which he was appointed Inspector of Murks over contractors for the building of works, said the foundations in the harbour were very treacherous. He attributed the disaster to the pile's breiikipg the ground beneath. Witness "had resigned. George Smith, mechanical engineer, said his opinion was that the ground under the wharf was higher than that outside it. causing a flow of water through the bottom layer of the bank which war, of coarse large stones.

Drummond Holilerucss, the Board s assistant engineer, recalled, said he eotisidered the design satisfactory. i>ut personally lie thought the building of the wall might have been delayed. The wall shewed indications of a bodily advance. His view was that the part of the wall that collapsed sloped forward over an accumulation of silt. The plans of the wharf were submitted to witness when lie was in Eontherston Camp, and lie emphasised that stone for the wall should lie deposited as soon as possible after dredging bad been dime, Witness called the Commission’s attention to the fact tlmt owing to labour and material being hard to get, Die work had to be stopped for about •If mouths. 'l'he stone tipping was delayed probably six months. It was an extraordinary tiling that it was the part of the wharf built after the delay that collapsed. Hr Williams: Did delay take away the elloet of Vour benches ?—Not 'necessarily. hut it actually allowed the stone haul; to “float.”

Yu nr benches disappeared’—Well, partially, I think myself that had not the piles been present T would have dredged over them again.

Would you not to-day feel any anxiety about the bank under your wharf being low on one side and liigli on the other?—That is a difficult question to answer.

Mr Williams: Yes, but it is vital. Witness said the collapse had not the appearance of a slow creep. It had all the look of a quick collapse within a few minutes.

Mr Williams: You will admit there is evidence of side pressure?—Acs. And you will admit this wharf was pever built to withstand great side pressure ? -A'o.s.

The wall was built of loose rubble because it was felt settlement would continue for some time?—'l he wliarl was intended to withstand a certain amount of lateral pressure. A certain amount would not be considered as a serious

menace. Mr Williams: Is not that pressure in existence all along tin* vliart at- present ?—We see the result, and wo conclude there is a big strain on the 1 ilos. AYe a sic, do you not. think t lie same? Witne-s. alter some hesitation, said lie thought some i f the piles might be carrying a considerable weight The enquiry was adjourned.