THE WANGANUI PORT SCHEME.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1199, 7 August 1911, Page 3

THE WANGANUI PORT SCHEME.

WHICH ESTIMATE IS BIGHT?' IBy Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.! Wanganui, August 5. The Harbour Board had a busy time at its monthly meeting last evening, a (large amount ot business being got through, j At the last election of the board it was' agreed that Mr. Leslie Reynolds's report in favour of the Castleclilf scheme as against a harbour in town should be submitted to Mr. Holmes, Bngineer-in-Chief, for verification. Mr. Holmes's report came to hand yesterday. Though it arrived too late to enable members to digest it before the meeting, it confirms Mr. Keynolds's opinion that the Castleclilf scheme is cheaper, but Mr. Holmes estimates the cost greatly in excess of the figures given by Mr. Reynolds for both schemes. He puts the cost of tlio CastleclifT scheme at ,£.135,000, as against <£188,000, which was Ml'. Reynold's estimate. The chief discrepancy between the two estimates is in regard to the construction of the moles, the cost of which .Air. Holmes puts at a great deal more-' than Messrs. Reynolds and lloworth's local experience has enabled them to figure out. There was considerable discussion on the matter, and while members admitted that they, speaking somewhat in the dark, and without full knowledge of the contents of the report, expressed themsolves as justified in subjecting Mr. Holmes's estimate to somo criticism, and regretted that ho had not come to Wanganui to,observe local conditions for himself.

It was resolved, in view of the pressing necessity for having all loafi arrangements in order at the earliest date possible, that a copy'of tho report be . forwarded'to Mr. Reynolds, and that he be asked to explain the discrepancies between his figures and Mr. Holmes's estimates.

It was also resolved 'that the chairman proceed to Wellington and confer with Mr. Reynolds, on whose estimates members generally placed reliance, in view of the fact that the work already done had been well within estimated cost.

On'the receipt of Mr. Reynolds's reply the board will at once consider the matter further.