MILLIONS FROM MUD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4375, 8 February 1922, Page 3

MILLIONS FROM MUD.

HAURAKI DRAINAGE SCHEME. NEW DREDGING MACHINERY. OPERATIONS DESCRIBED, The following articles, written by a special representative of the “N.Z. Herald,” confirm the reports the “Gazette” has been publishing first-hand for months past in reference to the Hauraki Plains: Two of the dredges recently obtained .from America are now’at Work on Hauraki drainage operations, and two more are being fitted. This new machinery, some of which is familiar to those who saw motion pictures of the Panama Canal works, marks a great step forward in drainage enterprise in New Zealand and it will not be surprising if, in consequence of the results obtained from this consignment, morfe are not obtained and hand-work reduced to a minimum. Indeed, the capabilities of these dredges are so remarkable to the unaccustom-i ed eye that the Government might well have motion pictures' taken of them for the instruction of the public. The dredges now working on the banks of the Piako River at Kerepeehi fascinate the spectator. Two Chains a Day. / The Wilson-Walker dipper dredge is being employed in making what is termed a receptable channel a chain or two from the river bank on the north side of the Awaiti block of 3000 acres. Into this channel all the internal drains will empty ,and here and there flood gates will be conn structed between the channel and the river. Without it all the internal drains would have to cut into the river, and this would involve the construction of a flood gate at each-—a very costly matter. The channel is 16ft. wide without a batter and 7fit. deep, and the Wilson-Walker is moving at the rate of two chains a‘ day. People with technical knowledge will more readily appreciate how remarkable an accomplishment this is “ the man in the street.” But a moving picture would be sufficient to show "the man in the street’ what this class of machinery is go(ng tp mean in drainage operations.

The WilsoniWalker is a land dredge which straddles the drain it is making. It rests on a double pair, of heavy wooden skids, on which; by a simple pulley device, it pulls itsel along. From a distance it looks like a great square box dp a high foundation with a long arm of laddered steel pointing upward at an angle of about 45deg. from the perpendicular. This house holds the tengine—a single cylinder 3i5 h..p. engine, which burns kerosene—and a' number of drums, upon which the wire ropes, which work the dipper wind. The “'shovel, ’ which- has ripping teeth on the bottom sidQ and holds one yard and a half of earth, is fitted to the end of the “ handle,” Which is attached to the arm, and by the operation of the wire ropes can work through the best part of half a circle. ’ Two men control the levers and their work, ■ although constant is not arduous, seeing that friction gear is used throughout, Two “Bites” a Minute. The pressure of one lever sets a drum revolving, and the shovel comas back and plunges down to the bottom of the drain, which it has just excavated. Another lever is pressed, and it tears up against the face, taking a load of about one and a half tons. Another level causes the arm to swing to one side or the othpf, and when the loaded shovel is over-the spot where the spoil is to be deposited another handle is pressed, there is a slight tug on a rope attached to the door, which forms the bottom of the shovel, and out drops the load. Immeliately the arm swings back, and the operation is repeated. The work was timed when thp machine was go-> ing last week, and it was found that in one minute the shovel had lifted and deposited two loads, the weight ofwhich without the water which pours from the shovel as it rises, Would be at least three tons, and was back again 'in position (for the next “bite.” The ground in which the dredge, was working was entirely favourable. There was no peat on it, and it contained ho timber.

The machine in operation seemed to embody relentless energy and determined purpose, and when it dragged itself forward on its skids it was difficult to realise that the channel filled with 7ft of water, which could be seen’through apertures in the platform. had. been solid land an hour or two before. This, and all the other dredges, supply their pwn power for electric lighting, and it is therefore possible for them to work throughout the night in a blaze c|f light The crew numbers three, and the men have quickly learned to manipulate the levers, as the rapid work showedAlthough the engineers in charge had no previous knowledge of this class of machinery, and had to fit the dredges together solely from the blue prints supplied, they are now running quite sweetly. , Another Type.

Clpse to the Kerepeehi wharf one ot the Bucyrus dredges is now at work on the job of widening the river. This machine, which the engineers refer to as a “'job,” seems to give more joy to their hearts than the dipper dredge, although to a layman its operation is not so fascinating. The Bucyrus is a mere compact “job”, than the Wilson-Walker. It must have hard ground because it moves on cater-t pillar wheels. Its arm c,an be extended to 100 ft, and therefore its value is greatly increased. Its bucket is operated on the drag system and is most effectual. The long arm swings round and at the required spot, which' may be at the bottom of the river or on the top of the bank, the bucket is lowered by controls on the platform and then the drag line winds in. The teeth of the bucket grip the soil and within a second it is full. Then the hoist line winds ini, up swings the bucket, and round swings the long arm and another load drops on the ridge of spoil. The engine is of 50i h.p., and also burns, oil. A few miles up the river at the Ngarua landing a (Continued In next Column.)

Continued from previous Column, sfecond Bucyrus is now being assembled, and’ when ready it will work downstream on the same job. At Kepepeehi a. fourth dredge ’.s being assembled. It is of the Rood make, and will be used to excavate the channel on the east side of the block. Its engine will be a 60h.p. Westinghouse silent drive. It will be on skids, and will move in front' of the channel it digs. Unlike the Wil-son-Walker its shovel will dig dowiii wards. In addition two more dredges of other kinds will soon be landed. The procuring of this modern plant indicates energy on the part of the Government in its drainage operations. The result will be to expedite settlement and settlement on land which, with the possible exception of the B.angitaihi Swamp, has po equal in New Zealand. Every new acre settled will increase Auckland’s production and Auckland’s trade. The Await! block in question, which must not be confused with a privately-owned block of the same name situated further up the river, will make at least 60 good farms, with a carrying capa-i city of about 3000 cows, and there need be no delay in establishing pasture, seeing that peat is absent.