OIL IN HARBOUR

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 563, 21 June 1933, Page 5

OIL IN HARBOUR

(Press Assn.-

EXTENSIVE CLEAN-UP NECESSARY IN WELLINGTON FROM THE GOLDEN HARVEST

— By Telegraph — Copyright).

Wellington, Tuesday. An aftermath of the Golden Harvest striking Barrett's Reef three weeks ago, is the slaughter of thousands of sliell fish in the harbour and darnage to the seawall and foreshore, and in a minor degree to the small craft in the boat harbour. During the past few days, the boat harbour and the water in the vicinity of the Te Aro baths has been cov•ered with oil, said to be due to a lealcage from the tanks of the Golden Harvest. The inner and the outer walls of the boat harbour are black with oil, and for a few days the foreshore has been in a terrible state. S'and, sawdust and mops were brought into use in order to remove the broad track of hlack ga-ease left by the tide. Previously, up to high water ihark the walls were inches deep in mussels and other small shell fish, but the oil has been fatal to them. Men have been pnt to worlc prising them off, a job which will keep them busy for some days. Captain J. Spence, harbour master stated to-day that wheii the Golden Harvest was placed in the floating dock, a considerable quantity of oil escaped. A skim was placed all round the dock to prevent it spreading, but ?. considerable quantity was lost with the wind. Some of the oil reached the shore as far as Ngahauranga, and the owners of ships have had men employed cleaning it up all round the harbour. It is an expensive job getting rid of oil from all the sea walls and other places where it has penetrated, and the cost will fall on the owners of the vessel. "In this instance the cause was aecidental," said Captain Spence, "but owners of vessels allowing oil to escape while in harbour, are liable to heavy penalties."