WHARF AND RIVER IMPROVEMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3980, 6 August 1929, Page 3

WHARF AND RIVER IMPROVEMENTS.

DISCUSSED BY HARBOUR BOARD. At yesterday’s meeting of the Foxton Hairbour Board a letter was received from Messrs Holm and Co., suggesting that the wharf should be extended to accommodate the s.s. Himatangi. The company pointed out that the present wharf was at least 12 feet too short, and it was suggested that the dolphin should be decked in and walking access made available and the Board’s Priest-man dredging plant put into operation to clear the snags from the channel. Mr. PeiTeau said the Board should do something to extend the whajrf. At present the s.s. Himatangi was experiencing considerable inconvenience in discharging at the Board’s wharf and the necessity for tieing rip at the dolphin owing to the shortness of the wharf was dangerous. Mr. WL E. Barber said the Board would be well advised to extend the wharf twelve feet as suggested. This would enable the boat to worn the fore.hatch without difficulty. Members inspected the wharf and site of the proposed extension, after which it was decided to obtain estimates for the extension of the whairf 12 feet, and also for the cost of extending the wharf as far as the first dolphin. It was also decided to authorise the installation of an extra electric light on (the wharf to facilitate night working. The secretajry reported that the Boai’d would have to give consideration to the matter of providing extra shed accommodation at an early date, hut no action was taken in this direction. THE PRIESTMAN DREDGE. The chairman explained that the Pu’iestman Dredge referred to in the letter belonged to the Board, but was still living at Tokomaru. Mr. R. Bryant suggested that Board members inspect the dredge and see if it is worth shifting. Mr. J. A. Nash suggested that an estimate be obtained to put the dredge in commission at Foxton. Mr. W. E. Barber outlined the history of the dredge which had been donated to the Board by MI. H. Akers. He suggested that a punt be procured and floated up to the dredge during a flood. The dredge could then he placed on board and brought down with the next flood. He thought it would be possible to purchase the old Shannon ferry punt which should he very suitable for the dredge; and which should be procurable at a very reasonable sum. The Chairman: If we are going to incur all this expense we will have to collect the rate. Mr. Barber: If we do anything to ;nake shipping to the port a success that will be all right. Mr. PeiTeau said it would be better to collect the rate and he assured of shipping. Mr. Bryant: That means collecting £IOOO. Mr. Nash was of opinion that the dredge would cost too much to dismantle. Mir. Barber: Well, its an old saying and a true one that we’ll always have the bottom of the river with us. It’s full of t-otara logs many of which it would be possible to cut- 200 to 300 posts out of. The secretary then produced an engineer’s opinion on the condition of the Priestman dredge, which was read to the meeting. It disclosed the fact that while the machinery was well worth salvaging the pontoon on which it was fixed was rotten and of no use. It was decided to obtain an estimate for dismantling the dredge and removing it to Foxton and the secretary iwas also instructed to make enquiries as to the cost of the old Shannon ferry punt on which io re-erect the dredge.