“The Press” In 1866

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31198, 24 October 1966, Page 10

“The Press” In 1866

October 24 PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.—Mr Hargreaves, in moving “That copies of the contract for building the sea wall, and extending the jetty at Lyttelton, and all correspondence relating thereto, be laid upon the table," alluded to the reckless manner in which the sea wall was being carried on. Any provincial mechanic ought to feel ashamed of it. He brought forward the motion in order to ascertain upon whose shoulder the blame ought to rest. He did not wish to cast the blame upon either the past or the present Government, but he considered that, in consequence of the deficiency and lack of engineering skill

and capacity evinced in the carrying on of the work, the Government and the Council ought to enquire into it. He was informed that the Government had been compelled to take over the plant and the material ordered for the extension of the jetty from the contractor. He failed to see the ability of the engineer engaged, and the work would never answer the purpose required. Any person would see that it was off the straight line, in some parts not less than seven feet, and strangers visiting the Port might well be astonished to think that the province had employed such engineering skill for the work. . . .