The Evening Star THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1876.

Evening Star, Issue 4102, 20 April 1876, Page 2

The Evening Star THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1876.

The proceedings at the meeting of the Otago Harbor Board on Tiu jsdaj-' preaei it matter for serious consideration We do tnot so much #Uude to Mr offer to construct Concrete nor to hi* iogdhioiwly

constructed estimates framed to prove concrete to be cheaper than wood. But these should not pass without notice. It vviil fed observed that in order to prove his point are made that not only require sifting but open up a class of questions in opposition to them requiring eVen more <s6haideration—among them are facilities of extension, or of alteration, or of removal of wharves, and change of form or direction to amt the necessities of port adcdmmodaiion. It mast not be overlooked either that excessive sums are put down for annual repairs to wood, on which compound interest is charged from the very commencement of the work* while in all probability at the end of the term reckoned upon not one tenth of the amount would have been expended, while concrete is assumed not to need repair, but to be as good at the end of ten years as on the day on which the traffic commenced. On such theoretical basis, it is quite easy to build a system that on paper will show that concrete will stand for ever without costing a farthing. Concrete in a long series of years may be cheaper than wood; but wood primarily is not nearly the cost of concrete, and our present object is to provide for immediate and pressing wants. In ten years’ time much more will be required, and very probably changes will have taken place in engineering appliances, in form and construction of vessels and in price of labor, that will render different arrangements 'necessary and enable them to be made on more advantageous terms. Theu there is the question of time required for construction. Judging by the rate of progress of concrete works this is a serious matter. Concrete buildings, concrete walls, and concrete wharves may be very durable when they are finished ; but they require a long time to complete, and were the work of construction begun to-morrow, it seems likely the channel would be ready long before the wharf that would render it available. Loss of time would be a serious item in the estimate against concrete, There may be other little matters forgotten by Mr M‘Gregor in his zeal to favor Dunedin with concrete wharves, which, if gone into by a thorough accountant, might increase the disparity between the estimates. For in stance, it is conceivable that a wharf on w °odpiles may be built for less than L 45,000, as the lowest tender was L 34,000, or there may be such matters not included in Mr M ‘Gregor’s estimate as fender piling or wood sheathing that might be found necessary to protect the concrete, and have occassionally to be renewed, that would add materially to its cost and maintenance. But of all these things no doubt the Harbor Board will require to be made acquainted before they decide one way or the other. In looking over Mr M‘Gregor’s estimates, two old proverbs force themselves upon our minds nothing like leather,” but “All is not gold that glitters.” The pressing point, requiring immediate action, is contained in the Harbor-master’s report. A shed of I,oooft in length is required to meet the existing trade. Very few people were prepared for this statement. Some three or four years since no such necessity forced itself upon attention. We were comparatively a slow-going people, just emerging from a dreamy state of ease, during which vessels unloaded into lighters that took their time between the Port and Dunedin; and, after a period between the arrival and discharge of a vessel equal to the time required to sail round the Horn or to reaohLondon,thegoodswereinthemerchants’ warehouses, A little uiore comparative speed was manifested in our intercolonial and coasting trade, but even in their case packages were tumbled about as if they were mere lumber, and damaged at every turn given during the half-dozen processes through which they passed. Much of this is altered. Steamboats that used to stop at Port Chalmers come up to Dunedin, to the great saving of time and expense. Before the extension of Kattray street wharf and the deepening of the channel to it, we used to see the Golden Age and Peninsula twice daily, crowded with passengers and passengers’ luggage or with cargo, outward or inward, requiring immediate transit. Now, according to the Harbor-master,

There are six steamboat companies owning eleven steamers, which are ail plying to and from Rattray street wharf, and the existing shed barely provides accommodation for two of them; in consequence, unpleasantnesses from time to time arise as to who shall occupy the more valuable berths, while all are paying equal rates. I may be permitted here, also, to bring again under the notice of the Board the desirability of having the wharves lighted with gas, being of opinion that there should be no longer any delay with this work.

The pressing necessity for further warehouse room cannot be more forcibly urged than in this passage, which is equally suggestive of what may be reasonably anticipated from a deep water channel. The Harbor-master’s suggestion as to lighting the wharves with gas needs little recommendation. Gas is a good policeman and a safe guide. Many a one now has to grope his way on board his ship in the dark, at the risk of his life ; and although thus far we have no serious complaints of pilferages by our dangerous class, the temptation of darkness is offered, and many a depredation is committed that no one hears of, because the perpetrators have escaped detection. Warehouse extension and gas are the first steps in our onward course.