HARBOR SCHEME.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 January 1921, Page 6

HARBOR SCHEME.

1 REVIEW OF PROGRESS I PAST YEAR'S WORK. ! •' i ENGINEER’S REPORT. ' ! I At the meeting of the New Plymouth Harbor Board yesterday the engineers, Messrs. Blair Mason, Lee and Owen, reported on the work of the year as follows: — During the year, the dredge “Paritutu” has been employed mainly in widening the swinging basin on the west side of the wharf, widening and deepening the inshore wharf berth, and maintaining the depth in the fairway ahead of the wharf. New dredging in the swinging basin, and especially at the inshore berth was very tight, the faces being full of boulders difficult to dislodge, making it hard on the buckets and machinery. The swinging basin is being widened to 650 feet, and dredged to a depth of 25ft. and the inshore wharf berth to a width of 200 ft., and a depth of 33ft. low water. The total quantity of spoil lifted by the vessel was 242,919 tons; of this quantity 175,400 tons wer'e dumped at sea, the remainder, amounting to 67,519 tons, was deposited, on the line of the breakwater. The total cost of operating and maintaining the vessel amounted to £13,714 15s, the average cost of material being 13.58 d. From the 6th "April to the 21st May the dredge was in Wellington for annual inspection . and overhaul. The costs of the overhaul amounted to £5,672 2s 9d and was much in excess of previous years, though the total work done was less. Under the new regulations in force, all winches hoists and cranes are subject to inspection by Government Inspector, who directs what repairs and renewals he requires. The costs of material and of labor as compared with 1919 have largely increased', the increases in the cost of labor amounting to £6QO. , The lestablishnient of the Board’s own workshop will enable renewals to be carried out from time to time as the occasion demands This will lessen the cost of overhaul considerably, besides reducing the time the dredge is laid up, and thus increase her yearly dredging , time and output ' Extensive repairs have been carried out to the lower portion of the ladder where the side plates were buckled and ’ lower angle chorals cracked Repairs have been effected, being carried out by the workshop staff at such times as not to delay the dredge. A f;ill report on ; the condition of the dredge and dredging was submitted in October , THOMAS KING. ’ Early in the year the stone skips were’ . removed from the dredge, and hoppers - with side doors were fitted or. board. [ Those have a greater capacity than the > skips and are more convenient for load- ■ ihg and discharging. In August the , dredge wont under her annual overhaul i and Government inspection. She was ! delayed on the slip for some weeks, ; owing to the poor tides and was caught i in a heavy gale which broke the propellor blade, necessitating the fitting of • the spare one. Some weeks later the . dredge touched the stone on the breaki water extension, again breaking the nropellor blade \ The wea’hcr, especially during the latter part of the year has not been ; favoirble for harbor works. Continual , w.i'bs and ehoppy seas have been very prevalent, interfering with the repairs , to the Breakwater and wharf, and th. l ■ working of the floating plant such as the Thomas King. During the year 134,975 tons of stone i have been deposited on the line of the j Breakwater out to a.distrance of 800 ft. ' The latest soundings, taken in December I show a least depth of 4ft. at a distance of 150 ft. and lift, at a distance of I 400 ft. This represents an average shoalI ing of 12ft.

BREAKWATER. Tn August ,a severe westerly gale was experienced which washed out and broke up some of the outside layer of blocks in the breakwater at about the middle of the bend Th? protecting apron of stone on the sea face and the rails were also damaged. In many places, the rails were swept clean off the breakwater, and in others the} 7 were twisted beyond recognition. New rails have been laid on the two tracks between the coal bunkers and the end of the breakwater, but mainly at the outer end. Large stone had been saved in the fishing rock quarry for repairs of this nature, and with this stone, together with some of the concrete apron blocks, all the low portions have been filled in, the apron now being in better repair than for some considerable time It is advisable that further stone should be placed on the apron to protect the toe The amount of stone deposited amounted to 1,269 tons. Now that this work is well ahead, the 40-ton crane is being used to lift the stone from the bank on the inside of the breakwater and deposit it into trucks for the Thomas King, any large stone being placed on the breakwater apron. ' QUARRIES. Work has been carried on continuously in the fishing rock quarry and the stone deposited by the Thomas King on the line of the breakwater The supplies of stone are getting short and it is necessary, as brought under your attention previously, to (consider the question of obtaining further supplies. The rock outcropping on the seaward supply, but whether it is of good qualface of Paritut is a probable source of ity or exists in sufficient quantity it is impossible • to say until some prospecting has been done. Some time ago the matter was given consideration and a start was made to carry out prospecting, but at that time it was decided to stop the work in deference to public opinion. Every effort is being made to obtain all the stone available in and around the fishing rock quarry. The siding to the ironsand works has been e?ctended and the rock facing the sea is being quarried from a high level. ’ The stone at the Fishing Rock quarry Between high and low water marks, and in reef of rocks running to the northward, *js being worked whenever the weather and tides arc suitable. The working of these faces will exhaust all the available stone in the locality with the exception of that in Paritutu. The stone on the sea face of Paritutu is not so conveniently situated nor can it be worked so economically as that on the land side. Quarrying on the land side would not permanently disfigure the hill to the extent generally supposed, as within a year or so after was discontinued the Veneta*

(ion would hide any offensive scar. Inquiries are being made for stone from the Government quarries at Mt. Egmont, but the prices so far received are not attractive. Pneumatic rock drills are being used in the quarry, the air being supplied from the old steam-driven compressor -formerly used in the mixing house in the early days, and now converted to a belt drive and driven from the workshop motor. The drills are of I great service in lessening the work, resulting in a considerable saving in these days of labor shortage. Throughout the year the quarry has been underso much so that it was eventually decided to close down Motnroa Island Quarry, and concentrate at the Fishing Rock. The labor shortage has hindered all the works throughout the year, repairs to the breakwater, wharves, buildings etc., are all behind and at the present time there seems no hope of getting ahead of things. Since the holiday’s, labor has been attracted by more remunerative work which, although of a temporary nature attracts men employed in corporations, such as harbor Boards who cannot afford -to pay rates ruling for work of a temporary nature, employing as they do large numbers of hands in what may be classed as permanent positions. Various blasts .have been fired at Motnroa Island, but beyond barring the loose rock down nothing has been done in the way of opening a quarry face, owing to the shortage of labor. As a result of the gale in August, the stonethrown into the sea from the various blasts has been shifted by the unprecedented seas then running, and now forms > a bank or ridge projecting easterly from the island in the direction of Mikotahi.

GRAVEL SUPPLIES AND CONCRETE BLOCKS. It was hoped as in the past that a reliable supply of gravel for the making of concrete blocks would be obtainable from the gut at Mikotahi. This has not been the case. For some unknown reason no supplies have accumulated for the past twelve months. Between the Fishing Rock Quarry and ! Mikotahi there appears on the beach [ after certain weather conditions, supI plies of gravel varying in quantities and qualities. Arrangements have been made to cart all the suitable gravel from the beach and deposit Jit in a., dump accessible to the workshop yard and railway sidingq From this position the concrete can be mixed and transported to the block-making yard or direct to : the Breakwater. It is. proposed in the j making of concrete blocks to use gravel ; concrete, intermixed with plums from ’ the quarry instead of broken metal and I gravel concrete. The will be quite as satisfactory and will save the cost of ■ crushing metal, and the initial charges attached thereto. Nothing has been done in the way of making blocks except preparing the’moulds, owing to the extremely high cost of cement and the impossibility of getting supplies.

d WHARVES*. All the um-heathod portions of the wharf below the halftldo level are more or badly attacked by the teredo. The last extension built in gum has } suffered severely, most of the lower I waling being completely eaten away. . These are being renewed in totara, being ; the only wood that in any way resists the ravages, of the worm. A quantity : of totara is in hand and on order for this 1 purpose, but further supplies will be required. This timber is becoming scarce, and consequently expensive, especially in the largo .<><?• required for - walings, but even at the present prices, I is the most economical material to use. During the_Jieavy gaie in August, the wharf was severely shaken by the surgj ing of the vessels alongside. The

l s.s. Otarama was berthed on the east side of the wharf, and damaged and broke some of the face and inner piles. • The majority of these have been rc- . moved and' renewed and others will be attended to as soon as supplies i come to hand from Australia. Through ‘ the courtesy of (lie Wgnganui jnd i Otago Harbor Boards a few piles were obtained for Hie repairs. When opening up the wharf for pile driving, an ■ examination made of the blue gum rail beams disclosed that they wore in I poor copditioa. and would shortly re(quire renewing. A small-’consignment of .deck beams, piles, etc., is on order , from Australia, but delivery is being ’ delayed owing to the difficulty of obtaining shipment. For general maintenance works and repairs due to damase by accident, it will be advisable to - place further orders for timbers. WHARF SHEDS. lln compliance tlie request of the j ship masters, two break winds built in i the form of sheds, each 110 ft. long by 1 21 ft wide were erected on*-the wharf, i These have been divided into sections i for leasing purposes, two of which have i been let, and in one shed, provision has been made for a Customs Office. WORKSHOP. The erection of the workshop machinery and works in connection with the necessary alterations to the buildings I was commenced early in the year. The machinery has now been in running order for some time and a considerable 1 amount of work has been put through. • The crane, Thomas King, and locomotives have all , been overhauled and it is the intention to carry out the annual repairs to the Paritutu (with the exception of the underwater portions and heavy lifts) by the workshop sftaff, ' thereby making a 'substantial saving, i The workshop is equipped with 3* lathes, 1 2 drilling machines, screwing machine. I punching hammer, air compressor, two | blacksmith forges, and other small tools, electricity (as in the carpenters’ shop where there is a circular saw) being the motive power. WORKMEN’S HUTS.

To a very large extent the shortage o-f labor is due to the lack of housing. This has been recognised for some time and early in the year a commencement was made to erect some accomodation at Mdturoa. Two 6-roomed buildings were erected, each being divided into three sections and each division capable of housing 4 single men. There is also a detached cottage giving room for 2 single men, making a total accomodation for 26 single men. In order to retain a few of the married men they have been allowed to occupy some of the divisions. The results obtained from the erection of these hutments have been eminently satisfactory. More accommodation is required, and until it is available there will be a continual unrest and a shortage of labor. WHARF LIGHTING. Alterations and extensions have been made to the wharf lighting. The system has been remodelled and the voltage altered from 1(JO- to 229 volts, the work being done by the workshop staff. The system has been cut u'p into circuits controlled from the Harbor Mas-

ter’s office instead of' from the switch house it the head of the wharf. The Government regulations require that power should he supplied by the bqro to those vessels not having electrio plants. For this purpose plugs have been fixed along the wharf face and from these points the power is supplied to the portable clusters placed, aboard the ship. So satisfactory has this limiting been, that all the vessels whether fitted with light or not are using the board’s clusters, for which of course, there is a charge. Since May, when the system was changed over, the revenue from this source has amounted to £220.

WAGES OF EMPLOYEES. A conference was held in April between representatives of the board and employees to consider the question of wages. In creases amounting to Is per 'day were agreed to, such to be treated as‘a bonus. On the then wage sheet tins represented a total increased expenditure of approximately £1,340 per annum. Since the above date further increases have been made. RAILWAY YARDS, MOTUROA. The survey adopted by the Public Works Department for the OpunakeMoturoa line approaches Moturoa by tunnel under Paritutu, thence curving around the bluff seawards of the flagstaff and along the foreshore to New Plymouth. In August a communication was received from the Chief Engineer of Railways describing the proposals of the Railway Department, which embrace the use of practically all the board’s reclamation areas, and cut off all direct access to the foreshore. The Department proposals, although subject to modification, destroy all hopes of. the board’s proposals to bring into a useful purpose the reclamation areas at the root of the Breakwater. Tenants of considerable importance to the port who have been waiting for these areas cannot be accomodated—a distinct loss to the district. The Railway Department requirements and the amount of land proposed to be used by them—approximately 41 acres—precludes any possibility of the department being satisfactorilv accommodated, in close proximity to the Breakwater without the loss to the i Board of a large portion of the reclamation. The removal of the railway yards to some site nearer New Plymouth thus freeing the reclamation areas adjacent to the Breakwater seems to be the only solution.

SEA EROSION AT BREAKWATER.

This matter was brought under the notice of the board by the harbor master, who in the past had been very successful in reclaiming portions of this-; area. The matter was reported on and a recommendation made to continue,_on the lines laid down by tiie harbor, master. The shortage of labor has prevented anything being clone. FORESHORE EROSION. The removal of boulders and gravel from the foreshore and the effect it will have on the beaches "was brought before the board in a previous report. The denudation of the beaches is attributed to this source, and steps should be taken either to stop the removal altogether, or allow removal only under official supervision. GENERAL, The locomotive purchased from the Railway Department in 1919 landed at the Breakwater in Febuary. It had been dismantled for shipping purposes and was re-assembled at the workshop and has been in use ever since. The old locomotive which is in a bad state of repair is being thoroughly overhauled. A store has been built and all the usual lines required in the workshop and outside works are stocked. In this way, no rime is lost in supplying the various articles and a considerable saving is made in buying, as large quantities are purchased in the best markets instead of obtaining supplies from day to day. A quantity of plant was purchased from the Westport Harbor Board consisting of 1 20-ton crane now in use at the Fishing Rock Quarry, 10 end-tip waggons, 9 sets waggon wheels, and one air compressor. T\yo beacons to guide shipping clear of the Breakwater extension have heen erected on the Ngamotii beach foreshore, and fitted with electric lights showing a red sector.

I A Stothort and Pitt 7-ton locomotive , crane fitted with two Priestman grab buckets lias been ordered from England for quarry purposes. Blasting of the boulders in the dredge cut has been carried out whenever necessary. Instead l of placing the shots from the surface ’ and firing by fuse, they are being laid in position by the diver and fired elec- , trieally. «At the present time suitable submarine explosives are not obtainable. The old concrete mixing and rock crusher buildings have been pulled down, they being in a very bad state of repair. The shafting and pulleys have been used in the workshop, and the galvanised roofing iron on various jobs around the works. We desire to express our appreciation of the loyal services rendered by the officers and employees under our control, and also desire to thank the chairman, members of the board, secretary, and harbor-master, for their courtesy and support. Mr. Wilkinson remarked that the board had spent £3OOO on the wharf and it still apepared to be in a bad state. The position was not very satisfactory.. The chairman said that the timber had heen ordered for a considerable time, but it had not come to hand, and there was no advice as to its consignment. ° Mr. Connett inquired if there was sufficient timber on order to repair the wharf. The chairman remarked that it was a constantly recurring expense, Mr. Lee stated that there, wero 100 piles on order and some totara had been on order for the past eighteen months. It had been very difficult to secure delivery.