OAMARU DOCK.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2552, 22 April 1871, Page 2

OAMARU DOCK.

, An « r ticle on this subject in the Oamaru Times shows that as the works are about to be commenced, to ensure their permanency a wall to the sou h-eastof the Dock must be built at a cost of L 2 0,001). Our coutimporary points out that Messrs Blackett and Dobs n’s plan provided fur a leek so as to keep the water of the Dock at the level of high water outside, and for a wall on each side of the entrance diverging to the N.E. and S.E. respective ly, so as to protect the entrance, which itself was periodically to be flushed to clear away any accumulation of shingle by letting out the water from the Dock when the sea outside was at low tide. That plan was so complete as to bear in iD soli evidence of its feasibility; but it has been thrown aside in favor of another plan perhaps equally good-by Mr M•Gregor.' Mr M‘Gregors plan dispenses wity the lock and Hushing, because it provides against the accumulation of shingle at the Dock entrance by carrying out a wall from the Point, so as to intercept any shingle travelling from that diicction, while a wall run out on the norih side is designed to intercept a-.y shingle travel ing from Die northward. That plan is also complete in itself, and we have every reason to believe could be carried out successfully it carded out in its entirety. But according to the present contract, it is n< t intended to be so cirricd out, and therein the whole enterprise is jeopardise 1 ; for if it be tine that the south-east avail is absolutely necessary to prevent the Dock entrance silting up ; and if it be tm *, as it obviously is, that the Dock would be absolutely valueless if the entrance were silted up, then it becomes Omar that the south-east wall must be constructed. Indeed, this wall is an ral part of the plan of Mr M‘Gregor, yet the Government refused to allow of a tender bc.ng accepted for its construction, on the pica Glut it was no part of the Dockworks p oper; and the Trust were compelled, in oid .T to retain any hold upon the Government, to acc.pt Messrs Walkem and Peyman’s tender tor the other part of the work • and it is peifectly clear that eventudly, in order to make the L40.0U0 to be spent for that part of the wmik of practical benefit, the soutn-east wall must be constructed, at a cost of another L2*),oo'J. Admitting that the south-east wall cannot be dispensed wiih, now comes a graver consideration. Both contractor and engineer urge that to make the success of the works a ceitainty, it should be constructed first. Information recently obtaiue I leads to the belief that it is quite probable that the wall itself would provide all the protection required, especially if after running 1000 or Id'JO feet out to sea in the line of the reef, it leturned with an elbow towards the north-west, so cs to break the force of a northerly sea. * * * One thing, however, appears to be clear, and that is—assuming these three points, viz , (1) that the Dock will be useless or insecure without the wall; (2) that to commence the Dock without first constructing the wall is to jeopardise Us success ; aud (3) that it is quite possible th it the construction of the wall may render the Dock unnecessary- the only wise course is to construct the wail first.