THE DREDGE "PARITUTU."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 78, 11 July 1910, Page 4

THE DREDGE "PARITUTU."

ARRIVAL AT NEW PLYMOUTH.

PAYING OFF THE CREW

News was received in New Plymouth on Saturday morning that the Harbor Board's new dredge Paritutu had passed Opunake at about ten o'clock. It was figuied out that the vessel would reach here about three or four o'clock, and there was a good gathering of townspeople at the harbor from two o'clock onwards. Amongst those waiting on the wharf were Mr. J. B. Connett, chairman of the Harbor Board, and Messrs. King and Dockrill, members of the Board" Mr. C. S. Rennell, the secretary; Mr. G. Tiscli, Mayor of New Plymouth; and '• r. 11. irempton, Collector of Ciislo u A;.

The dredge was in sight of the wharf just before three o'clock, but it was fully four o'clock before she drew in between the Moturoa Sugarloaf and the breakwater.

Captain Newton, the harbormaster, put off in the pilot boat, to bring the craft to her berth between the mole ami the wharf, where the old dredge Tommy King was kept busy almost up to the moment of her arrival. When the pilot clambered on board the dredge came slowly in, then came to a standstil a few huundred yards from the end of the breakwater. All sorts of theories were advanced to account for the delay, but the people waited stoically until the Paritutu commenced to ride head on to the sea and her anchor-chain became plainly visible. Then several returned to town.

Presently the boat returned, bringing Captain Mcßeath and Mr. Know Irs, chief engineer. They were introduced to Messrs. Connett and King by .Mr. E. Dockrill, who had made their acquaintance whilst in Wellington recently. Captain Xewton explained that the dredge was drawing over ten feet of water, whilst the berth he had got ready was for a vessel drawing two feet less than that. There were two other berths available now, but they would be required by the Corinna and Takapuna on Sunday and Monday. So there was nothing else for it but to allow her to ride at anchor in the stream until the congestion was relieved. ,

It was arranged that the Collector of Customs should go off to the vessel on the next afternoon and pay off the crew of fourteen men, who were desirous of leaving .for Wellington this morning, en route to England.

Captain Mcßeath, in answer to questions, said that he required six men on deck and three below to work the dredge. The crew of the old dredge will be transferred to the Paritutu this morning.

It is intended to give the. Paritutu a full day's dredging in the sandspit 011 the eastern side pf the mole, to o'certain her capacity in sand-pumping, and then to set her to work in dredging out. a berth for herself on the eastern side of the wharf, shorewards from the Taknpuna's berth. Here she will have to deal with sand and a rocky conglomerate.

A number of visitors went off to the new dredge yesterday.