PORT BOWEN WRECK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24414, 27 September 1940, Page 10

PORT BOWEN WRECK

RECLAIMING OF MATERIAL MINISTER OF SUPPLY IMPRESSED (Per United Press Association) WANGANUI, Sept. 26. The Port Bowen wreck which is beirjs? dismantled where it is lying close** inshore at Castlecliff. Wangamu. was paid a visit of inspection by the Minister of Supply, Mr D. G. Sullivan, yesterday. In a statement Mr Sullivan said he was immensely impressed with the value to New Zealand of the work being done and the progress made. The vessel, he said, contained 8000 tons of material which was being reclaimed—material comprising steel plates, steel angle iron and girders, machinery, refrigerating gear, nautical instruments and a considerable quantity of nonferrous metals which were valuable in normal times, but almost beyond price at present when the difficulty of obtaining sufficient supplies of many things constituted a major problem for the Ministry of Supply. Some 80 men were employed on the work, and the Minister was informed by the en-gineer-in-charge, Mr E. J. Dennis, of the Department of Industries and Commerce, that the completion of the debuilding of the vessel would take many more months. The Minister paid a tribute to Mr James Cable, of Messrs William Cable and Sons. who. as a member of the Munitions Committee, made a splendid offer to the Government, which offer was accepted, that the Dlant necessary for the debuilding work should be supplied by his Arm free of charge, and that only 5 per cent, return in wages *h a Asked "The undertaking of this work ill this way is of great value to the nation," concluded the Minister.