DRAINING THE PLAINS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4321, 23 September 1921, Page 3

DRAINING THE PLAINS.

NEW DREDGE AT WORK. MORE TO BE. CONSTRUCTED. Operations are now in full swing for the commencement of an extensive draining scheme on the Hauraki Plains, the base of the operations being at Kerepeehi. A large drain folklowing the Piako River from Kerepeehi to Ngarua is part of (be scheme. A new type pf dredge, the first of its kind in the Dominion, was completed at Kerepeehi this week* and on Wednesday was -tried out. This new dredge is of the walking dipper, type, and in its “walking” abilities, it ‘ is not unlike that wonderful war machine—the Tank,

This new dredge, a monster weighing 30 tons in all, rests on four huge skids. These skids are long slabs of wood about 30 or 40 feet In length and about 2 feet thick and about 2% feet wide. Two of ■these skids are placed' at each side of the dredge, and the span between the two inner skids is 32 feet. The machinery for making the monster work is housed in ah iron shed, perched between the skids. From this shed protrudes the long, huge arm, from which suspends the gigantic bucket. The machinery, which is belt-driven by a 35-horse-power Charters kerosene engine, has 6 drums, 2 being single and 2 double. A 3 horse-power Morse Faitbank engine is used for driving a 110-volt dynamo, which supplies light to 16 electric bulbs.

Regarding the "walking” part of the outfit. The man in charge pulls a lever, and one outer skid is pushed forward over the ground. Another lever is pulled, and the other outer skid does likewise. With’ the turn of another lever the whole affair—shed, machinery, bucket, and alii—moves slowly forward till the inner skids are level, once more with their outer brethren.

The dredge plant requires the attention of only three men. Having a span of 32 feet, it is capable bf digging a 30ft drain. The huge bucket which with one scoop can dig 1% yards of earth (about tons), is suspended on the long aVm, and digs and empties itself automatically. When the whole plant is working and the monster is "walking,” its 30 tons quivering and trembling, shakes the very ground. This new machine is one of the standard land dredges working on the dipper principle. It came out in huge boxes and was erected bn the site under the supervision of Mr J. McGlyn. Though this dredge is the first of its’ kind in New Zealand, there are two working on the Rangitikei swamp in the Bay of Plenty of the same walking dipper type, but the one at Kerepeehi is said- to be an improved type. That the draining scheme contemplated is an extensive "one is evident from the fact that there are at present on the site two Bucyrus dredges in boxes, ready to be erected. The work of putting these, machines together will be commenced immediately. Also several other dredges are expected to arrive shortly. On Wednesday the dredge was only on trial, but should be in fulil working order next week.