NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1825, 26 April 1888, Page 3

NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR

(PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, April 26

Mr Blsokett, Englneer-in- Chief, who was asked to present a report to the Minlßter of Mines on the alleged accumnlatlon of Band near New Plymouth breakwater, and whether In his opinion it is probable that it will be a permanent injury to the harbor, and if so on the best means of removing it and preventing It again accumulating, with an estimate of the coat of doing this, and fully deEcribIng the present works, sayß the acoumula tion of sand had shallowed the water to inch an extent that Mlkotatl, forroe'ly an bland, is considerably above the level of high water, and the Band has foend its way round the end of the breakwater forming a narrow spit across the entrance of the harbor, extending a distance of 450 feet and barring to a certain extent the direct approach of vessels to the wharf eteotod inside the breakwater. There is also found a farther deposit along the inner face of the breakwater covering a length of 900 feet, sod 100 to 70 feet in width. Mr Blaokefct does not agree with the opinion expressed by residents that this accumulation of sand ia from debris throwa Into the sea, bat considers the Bupply of eand comes from the long stretch r f sandy beach lying to the couth-west of Paritntu and other ielands. The approximate coßt of the various workß is as follows :— Erection of rubbl6 atone groin or wall between the block yard and Mikotaki. including laying of rails to connect with present line to quarrleß, £10,000. Construction of heavy v rubble Btone groin from Mikotaki to Leon Rook including road and ilne £6600. Oonßttuotlon of hesvy rabble Btone groin from Leon Rock Island, Moturoa, £10,000. Waggons, stocks crane, etc £4000. Contingenclea nay £7000. * : Farther work would be needed in the removal of the sand spit already formed = The importance of maintain ng" the harbor is great and would justify exceptional measures to secure the necessa<y amount required per year. [We have been compelled to delete much of the foregoing telegram, aa in parts it was unintelligible. Mi Blackett'a estimate of the Bum required is stated as £77,000, but the various item* given do not total up half that amount.]