BLUFF HARBOUR.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14889, 31 January 1914, Page 13

BLUFF HARBOUR.

BIG IMPROVEMENT SCHEME. (SPECIAT, TO "THE TRESS.'') INVERCARGIXL, January 30. Mr G. A. Lee, engineer to the Bluff Harbour Board, was recently instructed to submit his extensive scheme of harbour improvements to the Board, together with plans and estimate of cost. Mr Lee lias completed his task in all its detail*, and it provides for an immediate expenditure of _.59,_75*'_or widening the present wharf and erecting a nibble retaining wall from the approaches to what is known as the septic tank lagoon, 1100 ft westward of tho oyster wharf. This will involve' the reclamation of thirty-four, acres between the rubble wall and high-water murk. Following on this section of the scheme Air Lee provide.* for future works, as the harbour's-: business warrants it, costing (including the -59,675 mentioned) the total sum of £316,526. The most important of .Vs. works are— (1) The erection of a wharf 1200 ft long fronting the reclamation and dredging of she swing basin; (2) tho ultimate erection of piers between tho ocean beach and main channels. At first sight tins sum might anpear a heavy one, but it is not, when compared with the cost of the scheme of Sir John Coode and others who have been engaged to report upon Bluff Harbour and its requirements. To the business man the first item will Drove a. popular one—that is, to increase the,width of the/wharf by 18ft, thus enabling the addi- ■__°« n <Ww eX f£ -L ne ._ f - a ** d hicre-sing •the depth for the berthage so as to accommodate vessels of a draught of from 31ft to 33ft, as against 28ft to-day. Mr Lee's scheme will take many years to complete, supposing it is gone on with in its entirety. The reclamation alone will tako eight years to complete, and the experdHure on the morei necessary requirements (_*112,600) will probably extend over two .decree _SS_S remalnaft of "the estimate of £316,426 may not fee puf in hand for a generation. •_>■•■