CO129-457 - Public Offices - 1919 — Page 559

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description of the work that has been accomplished

and that which is contemplated and append a very

rough sketch map to illustrate my remarks.

The first task was to dredge a channel 36 feet deep at low water for ships approaching the harbour

entrance. In doing this it was necessary to remove

part of the sand-bar mentioned above, and a breakwater,

2280 feet long, is now in course of construction

south of the entrance which should prevent the bar

re forming. I shall refer again to this breakwater

later. Then dredging operations were commenced in

the lagoon itself, the area so treated being indicated

in my plan. A minimum depth of 30 feet at low water

is contemplated in this area but the depth so far attained is twenty five feet. A quay 3,000 feet long has already been completed on the north side of the lagoon and is capable of providing berthing facilities

for five vessels of 10,000 tons. The railway runs

This along the quay and godowns have been erected. quay is to be extended to 4,500 feet under the present financial provision, and, if the necessary

funds can be obtained from the Imperial Government (and I have no doubt that this difficulty will eventually be overcome) a further extension of 5,000 feet, including a large open dock, will be carried out. The port would them afford berthing space for 8 vessels of 10,000 tons and 10 or 11 of 4,000 tons

or less.

The electric cranes in use at Takow merit attention There are at present two of these which were purchased in Germany before the War. They are built on what I

believe