HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4377, 13 February 1922, Page 2

HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS.

THAMES BOARD DREDGING scheme. CRITICISED BY FISHERMEN. At the monthly meeting of the Thames Harbour Board the subject which; came in for most discussion was that in connection with, the dredging of the Thames Harbour flrom the Shortland wharf into deep water for . the purpose of permitting the fishing boats, to come in or but at low water or at least ha'lfi-tide. The chairman (Mr Harris) explained that considerable criticism jiad been levelled .against the board for the method in whichMt had authorised the work qf dredging the channel to be conducted. In view of the criticism he (the chairman) had asked the engineer (Mr Adams) to attend the meeting in order that the matter might be fully considered. Meahi •While, the fishermen had given it as their opinion that the channel should have been cut straight in prder to be of any service to 'them. The engineer, in explanation, said that the reason why the channel’.' tortuous course was followed was because all rivers bn discharging into an estuary ,or larger stream had to be confined to their own equilibrium and balance their own impetus against that of a larger stream. Tne practice of all rivers so discharging was to follow the tortuous course, and he was of oipnion that. if the channel had been cut straight it would be by no means so satisfactory, and in addition would have involved a much greater expenditure of money, as sb much more debris would have to be removed in carrying put the work# The engineer also explained that the contractor for the Turua wharf had been considerably delayed by the wet weather and tjie necessary timber not coming to hand. Some of the piledriving, however, had been satisfactorily accomplished. The piles had been sunk 16 feet in the mud, and each pile had to be provided with cradles in order that stability in the mud might be assured. Asked as to‘when the work would be completed, the engineer stated that under favourable weather conditions, three months would see it finished. The cost of the working of the dredging plant was about £7O per week.