PORT OF NEW PLYMOUTH

Taranaki Daily News, 19 November 1926, Page 10

PORT OF NEW PLYMOUTH

MEETING OF THE BOARD MONTHS WORK AT HARBOUR. PROGRESS OF CONSTRUCTION The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth Harbour Board was held yesterday. Present: Messrs. C. E. Bellringer, M.P. (chairman), Newton King, J. K. Cruiekshank, J. McCluggage, J. S. Connett. G. W. Tayler, W. T. Wells and E. Maxwell. Leave of absence was granted Mr. W. C. Clement. Rather boisterous and showery weather was experienced between October 18 and November 13, with unusually heavy seas towards the end of last month, reported the resident engineer (Nir. G. W. B. Lowson). Dredging operations. although producing fairly high returns, were naturally hampered by the adverse conditions obtaining, but wharf constructional work refused to be held back, while the rough weather was not altogether unwelcome on breakwater extension, being regarded as an effective means of consolidating the foundation ahead of the ever advancing new work. Newton King Wharf Extension. —The same excellent rate of progress was maintained in the construction of the extension to the Newton King wharf, which proceeded at an average speed of 24ft. per week, thus advancing the head of the work a further 96 feet to a total distance of 372 feet, and leaving only 36 feet to complete. All the piles (88 in number) of piers 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98 and 99 were driven, and piers 91 to 99 fully capped. Beams are now laid as far as pier 89 and sleepers as far as pier 82, while sway bracing is fitted to pier 88. Tidal bracing is being brought forward as rapidly as the weather will allow, while the pile-yard force has been fully occupied in shoeing and sheathing piles for the front. Moturoa Wharf Approach.—After rather difficult excavation at the toe of the existing rubble mound and partial resort to eoffer-damming, the concrete footing wall of the Moturoa wharf approach was extended a further 344 feet to its full limit inshore, thus now enabling block-laying over the first 90 feet of wall to be carried out. The coffer-damming of a fairly large portion ahead (including the site of the steps) is well in hand, while 231 concrete facing blocks (including 18 smaller ones) are maturing in the yard. GOOD PROGRESS MADE. Breakwater Extension.—Section 38 was added to the breakwater extension during the month, bringing the total length of the new portion of the structure up to 480 feet. Furthermore, all the foundation of the following section was laid and the bottom tier of blocks placed ready for the masswork. In addition to concrete blocks. 514 tons of stone were used in foundation and protective works. Protection Work.—Several more eonosite blocks were placed to advantage further back on the apron protecting new work, and a few tons of stone on that covering the older portion of the breakwater. A further 29 concrete breakwater blocks (Nos. 1068-1096) were made during the period, this number being less than than usual on account of repairs being effected to the gravel bin. Gravel supplies were rather affected by the rough seas lately experienced, but 755 cubic yards were secured (mostly from Mikotahi beach). All stone used during last month came from Fishing Rock, the Brixton quarries not having sent any through just lately. Dredging. —The Paritutu’s returns for the period under consideration are:— Bucket dredging, centre fairway, 3800 tons; third fairway, 1700 tons; suction dredging, sandbank, 24,100 tons; centre fairway, 800 tons; third fairway, 11,000 tons; total, 41,400 tons, all of which was deposited at sea. Opportunity was taken of one rough spell of weather to effect the usual quarterly boiler-cleaning. The progress of the Newton King wharf extension had been very satisfactory indeed, commented the chairman, and good progress had also been made with the breakwater extension. A fair supply of gravel was coming in. The extension was now close to 500 feet. SHIPPING IN THE PORT. Thirty-five vessels entered the port during October, of an aggregate tonnage of 72,125, reported the actingharbourmaster (Captain 0. F. Mclntyre). Imports totalled 10,748 tons and exports 4332 tons, an aggregate 15,080 tons. Government coal lauded amounted to 1231 tons. Six overseas vessels entered the port as follow: S.S. Rimutaka, loaded 887 tons, draft 22 feet 6 inches: s.s. Montague, discharged 1484 tons, draft 14ft. 6in.; s.s. Taransay, discharged 940 tons, draft 23ft. 9in.; s.s. Queen Maud, discharged 640 tons, draft 14ft. 6in.; s.s. Hororata, loaded 855 tons, draft 24ft.; s.s. Ruapehu, loaded 1076 tons, draft 21ft. 4in. The' weather was very changeable, with frequent northerlies and moderate seas. Seven soundings were taken in the outer fairway, from Green Island 1400 ft. seaward. The depth was the same as the previous soundings taken on September 23. -Captain Mclntyre had had a very busy time during the absence of Captain Waller, said Mr. Bellringer. Shipmasters were very satisfied with his work, and the chairman said he would like to express the appreciation of the board to Captain Mclntyre for the manner in which he had carried out his duties. It was decided that a special meeting of the board should be called to consider dredging matters on the receipt of certain information. A WAVE DEFLECTOR. The engineer was instructed to prepare a design for a wave deflector. Mr. Bellringer commented on the necessity for a deflector to break the surge before it reached the Moturoa wharf. The benefit of the breakwater extension at present had been felt more bv the Newton King wharf than by the Moturoa. As an alternative to the erection of staging for dejiositing stone. Mr. Lowson recommended the continuation of the work on the lines similar to the present methods. He proposed to allow heavy seas to consilidate the foundation as deep water was reached and during the summer to proceed with the construction of a wave deflector. Care was necessary in the designing in order not to affect the Newton King wharf berth. -*Mr. Bellringer said that as the breakwater extension progressed the work was mostly experimental so far as the resulting effects on the seas entering the harbour were concerned. Consideration would have to be exercised before anvthing of a permanent nature was constpieted.