STATE OF THE RIVER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2551, 12 July 1909, Page 4

STATE OF THE RIVER.

THE TUATEA AGAIN DELAYED.

The recent heavy rams, and the consequent Hooded state oi tiie Creeks and rivers have had a most detrimental effect upon the river channel, which is in. a very silted condition, and great inconvenience was caused on both (Saturday and yesterday to the tender and lighters leaving tlie pert to communicate AVitii the steamers in the bay. The Tuatea was unable to leave tho wharf'to tender the s.s. Wimmera on Saturday morning until an hour alter the advertised hour, but matters reached a climax last night, when, instead of being able to proceed to tho steamer from Auckland at 5 p.m., she Avas compelled to Avait until 9.35 p.m., and even then she only just managed to scrape her way from the wharf into the deeper Avater of the middle of the stream. At 5 p.m. it Avas two hours before loAv'water, and the vessel Avas drawing 6ft 6in, but in an effort to get the largo croAvd of passengers off to the steamer in time for dinner, Mr. Preston, the local manager of the U.S.fe. Co., decided to attempt to go out. The lines were cast off, and the Tuatea, Avhich AA’as stern on to the bay, attempted to sloav round, with the result that Avlvcn a very short distance from the wharf she became fast and immovable, and all attempts to shift her Avere in A r ain. Fortunately the stern was close enough to the wharf to enable a gangway to be thrown out, and the large number of passengers (some 200 in all) were compelled to oome ashoro again, and Avait until tlie tide rpse. At about 9 p.m. the passengers Avere all embarked once more, and another attempt Avas made to get away. This time the vessel was taken stern on, but even this precaution failed. and. she had only gone about her oavii length when she once more took the ground, remaining stationary for some time. With her engines at full speed astern, she CA rentually ploughed bar way through the silt, on the rapidly rising tide,. and at 9.25 p.m. she finally got clear into the middle of the channel, and started off on her long delayed trip, amidst the ironical cheers of the very large crowd of interested spectators on the wharf. She returned at 11.45 p.m. with the imvard passengers, Avho had been waiting to get ashore since soon after 4 p.m. The s.s. TaAvera, at tho loAver end of the wharf, Avith cargo and a number of racehorses on board had a similar experience. She attempted to go out on the arrival of the s.s. Monowai shortly after 4 p.m. It was over three hours before loay Avater. and the T-awera was only drawing sft of Avater, but was unable to make any headway, and she also was compelled to aivait the rising tide. From 8 p.m. onwards repeated efforts Avere mad© to get her off tho mudbank on which she Avas resting, but it -was not until 9.30 p.m. that she just managed to plough her way from the Avharf.

The passengers by tho s.s. Tuatea took their enforced delay for the most part good-liumoredly, but there Avere those Avho Avere loud in their complaints about the existing state of affairs, and blame was liberally shoAvered on to all and sundry who, in their opinion, had been responsible for the inconvenience. The primary cause of the whole trouble avus the fresh in the river, but the opinion AA’as freely expressed last night by those in shipping circles that the occurrence could have been ob\ T iated by a judicious use of the dredge John Townley. It Avas pointed out that on two accasions recently tho HarboT Board had authorised the Avork of dredging to be carried on night and day when necessary to keep the channel clear, but that not only has not been done, but the dredge bad not even been Avorking full time on Saturday, -when the danger of silting up at the AvharT must lraA’c been apparent. While the Hood is held te be the chief cause of the trouble ,the Harbormaster (Captain Cumming) is of opinion that the AA r orking of the sand pump on the opposite side of the river tends to increase the difficulty by churning up the silt, which then, with the set of the current, settles along tlie town wharf. Captain Cumming lias referred to the matter at several meetings of the Harbor Board, but tho ivories oA'erseer has expressed a contrary opinion regarding the pump, and the matter has been allowed to drop. The experience of yesterday certainly draivs attention to tlie urgent need for better dredging facilities, and until they are available, tlie more liberal use of the appliances that are available at present. ,