The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING GISBORNE, OCT. 15, 1906.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1905, 15 October 1906, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING GISBORNE, OCT. 15, 1906.

Jjt Friday’s issue appeared a letter from an old resident making some useful suggestions which the Harbor Board would dc well to pay attention to. It is not disputed that very much greater accommodation is necessary, and the only question upon which differences of opinion may arise is as to the method of providing that accommodation for the number of boats now trading to this port. The Board itself is, we believe, unanimous in the opinion that “ (something tho ild be done,” and already it hrs shown its recognition of the shortage of wharf area by the decision to extend the wharf further towards tho Waikanae creek, and tho work has boon already commenced. But the trouble is that tho extension when finished as far as tho Board proposes to erect it will not bo by a very long way adequate to tho requirements, nor will it get rid of tho serious and increasing trouble along tho upper reaches of tho present wharf whero tho back is shoaling _ to such an extent ay to make thac portion almost useless except for oil lynches.

[ndeod, nil along tho wharf frun tho oridgo downwards tlio silt in accumu iiiting until there in scarcely a point at which tho Tuatoft uau lioat at low water Because sho stuck at ono of tho deepest parts oil tho day of tho arrival of tho Challenger an hour’s delay was causod iu getting her all at ou a rising tido. Tlio delay on that iconsion did not so much matter, aN though delays aro vexatious at any time ; hut had it occurred when tonder ing tlio coastal steamers it might cause vary serious trouble, and tlio oausus that led to it should ho at onco removed Tim question tlmn tubes, what is tho cheapest and most expeditious way of removing tlio sHt from tho wlmvf and giving tho muximuuMrf accommodation and facility to ship ping? While studying this question a vory valuable suggestion was offered to us by Captain Peterson, of tho s.s, Poroa, who knows the port and its requirements as well ns anybody. It does not require much study to come to tho conclusion that the work of tho

grab drodgos now in uso is quite futile, and rio good results can bo expected from them. In fact, they may almost as well bo laid on tho bank and tho expense of working them saved, for all tho good thoy aro doing. Captain Peterson concurs emphatically in this opinion, and says that tho clearing of the channel from one end to tho other is an easy matter if tho right method and proper appliances avo employed. While in Oamaru recently ho made enquiries, and ascere tabled that there is a bucket dredge there, that is either for sale or lease at I option, that if employed in this port would, (to use his own words) “clean tho channel out in six months.” Hor work at Oamaru makes tho six months estimate a vory safo one, and shows . that Captain Peterson is not inclined j to oxaggerato hor capabilities, so that * his suggestion is at least worth tie serious consideration of tho Board.

She is at present considered to bo too small for the requirements of her present owneis, lienee their willingness to leaso or sell her, but for this port she is the very thing required, seeing that she carries -100 tons on a draught of 11 feet. That depth may not always suit here ; but there is no occasion to load hor beyond 8 or 9 feet, and with oven 200 tons a trip

she would soon make deep, berthage up to the bridge an accomplished fact. The expense of working her, too, in proportion to the quantity of otuii removed would be a pleasant comparison with that of the other dredges now in the river, aud as the Board appears to keenly desire the extension of deep water berthage to the bridge here is tho chance It has been urged that, in anticipation oi Mr Merchant's favorable report on an outer harbor scheme, the Eoard should not go to any expense in improving the inner harbor ; but that argument can have little weight at present. We have no misgivings as to the success of a properly-thought-out harbor scheme, for the very sufficient reason that the difficulties do not exist here to the same extent as those that confronted Timaru thirty years ago. The bay is not exposed to violent seas from more than one direction ; it already enjoys protection from all prevailing winds to a greater extent than over Timaru did, and there are not millions of tons of drifting shingle to bo checked as there are there, though it is true we have here a negligible quantity of drift sand to cope with. The Timaru harbor is an accomplished fact —a huge success, and the achievement of success there, where the difficulties were ten' fold what they are here, makes, the same result here an absolute certainty, always assuming that there are no more engineering mistakes to be made here. But while admitting all this, it cannot be accomplished in a few years, and meantime the business of the port cannot be allowed to come to a standstill for want of shipping facilities. While the outer harbor is being planned and constructed the inner harbor must be kept in order and the wharves kept clear of silt. As the “ John Townley ” and the other toy cannot do this, we strongly commend Captain Petersen’s suggestion to the careful consideration of the Gisborne Harbor Board.