THE BIG LAUNCH

Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1931, Page 3

THE BIG LAUNCH

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25th. From enquiries made, we gather that everything is expected to be in order for the launching of the new hull for the Rimu Flat Dredge on Wednesday week. It is expected everything will be in readiness by noon of that day, and at 2 o’clock in the afternoon the leviathan hull will be christened in orthodox manner, and the launching will follow immediately after.

At present all about the hull in working hours, is a hive of industry. Some sixty busy men are working overtime in the hurry to he ready. Particulars of the dredge have been given previously and now that the hull is in being, the size can be appreciated better. Much of the top hamper is being fitted in advance. This is all new material, indeed the hulk of the gear for the dredge will be new, including the screen, buckets, etc. Afi much work as possible is being done on dry land, so that following the launch the work remaining will lie disposed of quickly. Meanwhile the old d edge, which has done service for upwards of ten years, is digging away steadily. For some time now the operations have been in good alluvia] ground and the returns have' been very encourng-

The new fabrication is an impressive machine tor itvs task. There remains many hundreds of acres of the Flat still to work, despite the large area turned over already. There will be work and plenty for the new machine, and her size and strength can l>e well appreciated looking to the taskahead. The hull in being painted at present which shown how advanced the preparations are. Much top hamper is being installed, and the riveters never cease at their noisy task. Carpenters are buPv on great baulks o! timber preparing th e launching ways,which are built of special strength. Some of these are now being put in position. The scene present quite a stir of tireless activity, and mere is no letting up in the long day. No doubt on trie eventml day there will be a rush of traffic to tne scene, and steps are bring taken now to prepare for the abuominal traffic expected. unly official cars will oe permitted ’to go through to tne actual launching site, and traffic will be under strict control and patrol. The road is being improved at present, and extra parking places are to be provided. All traffic other than the official cars will not pass over trie bo rider road, and from tnat part bacKwards towards Takutai, arriving cars will require to park as they arrive. Atrangements will bo made with the Railway Department for the Takutai station yard also to be used for pai king. Pedestrians instead ot wanting over tiie boulder road are advised to walk to the scene by way of the trainway, which is a shorter route. Buses plying for hire from Hokitika for the launch, will be permitted to depositpassengers near the sawmill site w“ere there will be a turntable, and the buses must depart at once for the next load. These general conditions governing the traffic for the .day will he enforced by the proper authority. Near the launching site, there will be plenty of room for the public to congregate. Overlooking the dam into which the dredge is to be launched, there will be good vantage ground for a clear view. A rail will be placed round the area for public protection, and no one will be permitted to go down to the dam floor. Indeed, the water in the dam is to be raised three or four feet, and will be brought to a water level with that where the dredge is now operating. A platform will be erected for the speech making, and the christening function. An invitation has been extended by the Company to the Prime Minister and The Minister of Mines, also to Mr O’Brien, M.P. and other official dignitaries’ and a general invitation will be extended to the public. The event is an important milestone in the history of alluvia] gold mining in Westland and the occasion is worthy of bring marked by the fullest enthusiasm on the part of the whole community. At night the citizens will tender n complimentary ball to the management of the 'Companies and their employees, and this promises to be one of the greatest social functions Hokitika has ever witnessed.