HARBOUR IMPROVEMENT

Otago Witness, Issue 4029, 2 June 1931, Page 21

HARBOUR IMPROVEMENT

BIG BLAST A SUCCESS ROCK SHELF SHATTERED BY EXPLOSION. A highly satisfactory report on the result of the blast in the gut at Quarantine Island has been received by the Otago Harbour Board’s engineer* (Mr J. M’G. Wilkie), who announced that Captain M‘Lean and the board’s senior pilot paid a -visit of inspection to the scene of the blast on May 25. Diver Arthur, who made a careful examination of the rock shelf, was an hour under water, and reported that a considerable amount of rock had been blown into the deep water adjoining the reef, whilst a -quantity of shattered stone was lying on a steep slope on the channel side of the reef. Large blocks of rock were also resting on top of the loose rubble, the diver reporting that little difficulty would be experienced in rolling these into deep water. The remainder of the rock was well shattered and it should be possible to remove it with dredge 222. Arrangements will be made with the contractor (Mr F. Goodman) with regard to the hiring of the dredge, and it is hoped that all the spoil will be cleared up within a fortnight. Mr Wilkie also stated that even without removing the loose material on what remains of the ledge, the position has been greatly improved as far as the navigability of the .channel is concerned.