THE DREDGER MAUI.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3588, 30 July 1912, Page 5

THE DREDGER MAUI.

OVERHAUL AT AUCKLAND. A LARGE PATENT SLIP FOR GISBORNE ADVOCATED. In connection with the docking and overhauling of the dredger Maui at Auckland the Engineer to the Gisborne Harbor Board gave some interesting particulars concerning the work in his report which was presented to members yesterday. He said that the specifications for repairs and painting as two distinct contracts were prepared before the Maui left Gisborne, and. on June 29 Mr Park telegraphed the tenders as follows: Repairs contract, G. Fraser and Sons, £379 15s, A. T. Burt, £452 9s 6d, painting contract, C. Bailey, junr., £197 7s 6cl. The prices paid last year were: Fraser £534, and Bailey £295. The lowest tenders were submitted to the Chairman on June 29, for his approval and were accepted by telegraph same day. Ho quoted extracts from the reports received from Mr. Park, the dredge blaster, dealing with the repair work- Mr. Park expected the Maui to lie ready for the return trip on the 31st inst., but she would await a favorable report from the Government- Meteorologist before leaving Auckland.

The Chairman (Mr J. Town ley; pointed out that the patent paint to prevent -pitting was not required as there were no further signs of pitting on the hull.

The report was adopted. The secretary of the Auckland Harbor Board telegraphed: “Could you grant this Board use of dredger Maui for two or three weeks for important work for which own dredges cannot at present be spared Reply early, stating terms.” The Engineer-Secretary stated- he had replied as follows: “Regret cannot spare Maui. Urgent work awaiting her return here.”—The Chairman remarked that they had their harbo. to attend to, and must push on with the work. The secretary’s action was approve.

Mr Humphreys wanted to know if tbs Board intended to go into the matter of a patent slip for the Maui. The Engineer said l that he was to report on a comprehensive scheme for harbor improvement, and he took it that this would include the erection of a slip. Mr Humphreys maintained that if the cost were not excessive they should go in for a slip. He was not aware that this matter had been included hi tlie report on the inner harbor which the Engineer was instructed to prepare. He thought they should obviate the risk of sending the dredge io Auckland. , Mr Parker: I understand a slio that will suit us can be constructed for something less than £3OOO. The Board agreed that the Engineer should include this matter in his report.