GROYNE EXTENSION,

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1521, 1 August 1905, Page 3

GROYNE EXTENSION,

DEPUTATION TO THE HARBOR . BOARD.

A deputation consisting cf reprosonfcafcives of shipping and commercial interests waited on tbo Harbor Board yesterday aftocuoon in contcoiicn with the extonaion of the groyne. Mr J. U. C. Bond, local manager of tho Union Steam Ship Company, said' ttfoy viewed with alarm fcba ! i tbo extension cf the groyne was being solidified, acd tbe3' asked tbo Board to give tbo matter their deepest consideration before proceeding further with the work. Tbo extended groyne was responsible for tbo slmllowin* of tbo river mouth and increased range, lieeently when drawing 6f5 of water tbo Vvaihi grounded, and the passongers had to bo rushed forward to 'onablo tbo tonder to got over tbo bar. Then there was the acoidoot to the Tawera, aud Sunday's experience in Captain Noalo's opinion was that the extension made it moro difficult to work the port. Thej* did not wish to cast a slur on the port, but tbo conditions wore becoming so uncertain that they must ask the Board to say when tbo port was workable or not. This was done at West-port, New Plymouth, and Groymoutb. They also took exception to the manner of reporting tbo tides with the gauge at aero. Klsewhoco the soundings wore taken as at spring tides. Soundings should bo given two or three times a week, and where the conditions shifted so much some guide should be given as to the river channol. The existing state of affairs practically threw the onus of condemning the port by saying the river was unworkable upon the companies, and this should not bo. If tbo range increased it would moan that the companies could not use the port at bight. Captain Kennedy stated in bis thirty years’ experience of the, port nothing had. come under bis notice to compare with the last three months. The fact of the groyne being carried out so far made the rango so great that they had ino command over a vessel. The seas striking the groyne and recoiling on the breakwater made the entrance to the river unsafe, and life and property was in danger. He thought the solid extension of the groyne should bo stopped till it was seen what tho permanent effect of tho extension would be. In coming in now they could not say whore their lighters would be taken, whether they would he thrown towards the groyne or breakwater. They had to get in spmp distance before they could say they were safe. Captain Kennedy also considered that on the arrival of each vessel in the bay signals should be given to enable thorn to know the depth of the water on the bar and tbo condition of the entrance. Mr J. IV Jones Stated that as the groyne extended the riverl cettaily got worse ; tho range was greater, and the river was siltiDg up.

Captain Palmer stated he had seven years’ experience of the port. Before the extension of the groyne he used to consider, himself safe when he roaohed the river entrance, bat his experience with the Tawera, and later with the Karoro, proved that there had been a change for the worse. The channel was so narrow that there was danger of taking the ground or going against the breakwater. Captain Skinner said he had never experienced any difficulty in making the port, yet he conld see the increased range caused by tho extsnsion of the groyne. He considered that vessels from outside should be signalled as to whether the bar was workable or not. Thoy had the breakwater on tho lee side now instead of on the weather side.

Mr J. T. Evans also considered that owing to the state in which tho river had got since the extension of tho groyne, it was necessary that provision should be made for signals to help navigators, both local craft aod outside vessels.

Mr C. A. DeLautour, speaking on behalf of the freezing companies, said Mr Dewing and he had received such reports from their captains that they would have to consider whether thoy could allow their to work after dark. To allow them to do so would Jba taking an unfair risk,and the delay in keeping the big Homo steamers was a serious matter.

In answer to Mr Sievwright Mr Bond stated that the depufation requested the Board not to continue the solidarity of the groyn9. Gisborne was a progressive place and they wished to Bee it a progressive port. After further disoussion-tha deputation withdrew, tbs Chairman assuring them that the Board would dq all in its power to further the interest of the port.