THE TIMARU HARBOR WORKS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1755, 4 October 1879, Page 3

THE TIMARU HARBOR WORKS.

[By Tbiegbafh.] TIMAEU, October 2. At the monthly meeting of the Harbor Board, to-day, the question of the next auction of the breakwater was considered. The following was the engineer's report on it:—" I have to report that since last meeting the mole has been extended 54ft. The total length is now 264 ft, and, should the weather provo favourable, the remaining portion of this contract will be completed in about six weeks. As this contract is so near completion, it would be advisable to decide at once re next contract. According to instructions, I have prepared plans for the second contract, supposing that the Board decide to proceed with the solid mole. These plans I now submit for approval. The general design is unaltered. The depth of water at the end of the proposed secend contract, 360 ft. further out, at spring low tides will be 18ft. Sin. Before this length is finished good shelter will be obtained at the end of tho present contract, and if thought advisable by the Board, a pier might be built alongside connected with the shore by railwoy, for the accommodation of steamers and small craft. Surf boats plying to larger vessels might also load and unload here. Tho consideration of the future works of this harbor have necessarily occupied my thoughts a good deal, and that it may not appear that I am prejudiced to the solid mole, but have good reason to abide by my original • design, I beg to submit to you what I consider will be the many advantages which will be gained by adopting a solid structure over the open way By stem. Future works would be carried out at least 40 per cent, cheaper. They would be completed very much sooner. A part of tho mole would Boon be available for the accommodation of steamers and small craft, while by adopting an open way system the harbor would not be fit for the accommodation of shipping until the works had been completed. The extent of wharfage would be at least 50 per oent. extra. The working expenses of the harbor would bo much less, for the bridge across the open way would require two steep gradients from it, which would occasion a great deal of shunting on the wharfage, and thereby take up valuable apace and time. The accumulation of shingle to tho south of the mole would reclaim much valuable land which would be used for stores, &c, and this woulcLin some measure recoup the oost of the breakwater. The harbor when completed would afford secure shelter with perfectly smooth water lor shipping, wtioh would not be obtained if the sea ran in through between the breakwater and shore. Against all the .advantages there is only one consideration, and that is tke question what may be the immediate action of the travelling shingle? -Fortunately this question is at present not -so difficult to answer as .it was formerly. The accumulation of shingle to the south of the mole gives us data we bad not before. >I have carefully estimated the quantity of this-shingle and, allowing a fair margin hy doubling the quantity obtained, and - supposing that amount to be equal to one year's supply, it will take at least forty years •before sufficient shingle will have accumulated for any excess to go beyond the south-east end of the-breakwater. By that time I trust ' Timaru will need much greater accommodation than can be obtained in the present - scheme, and so the breakwater would ■ have to be extended, and would keep i ahead of the shingle. But this is not the only way the shingle question might be over- • come. ' I estimate that twice .th > amount of shingle lately accumulated south of the mole ■ could be removed and thrown north of the breakwater, -when .it would come under the > influence of the waves again, for about i £IOOO. This sum would be but a small item compared to the amount saved iin construction of the works, the greater security and accommodation afforded, and the freater economy with which the harbor could e worked. This work could be advantageously . performed by a steam derrick or other meohanical device. Harbors in all . parts of the world are kept open by_ dredging at immense cost, but in this case, instead of - dredging shingle after it gets into the harbor < it would be prevented from going into it at much less cost. 'I do not say this course will be necessary, but if the shingle did threaten to injure the harbor the method would be a r sure check to it. The shifted shingle might be utilised by being deposited on the site of i the proposed reclamations north of the breakwater, behind a retainirg wall, when the works are further advanced, and this would help towards a valuable property being • created. Besides all this, if an open way be adopted what guarantee is there that the har- • bor will not aili; up after all with shingle ? • For without doubt it will do so unless the breakwater be placed far enough out from - the shore for it to stop the action of the waves on the beach. For wherever this . action is stopped the shingle will be deposited, and will extend into the harbor, and thus, r after having lost many advantages and build- - ing a harbor at a much greater coßt, it would eventually'have to be kept clear by the oxt pensive'method of dredging." The Board with one exception were unini- - mous in favor of continuing the solid work, .- and a special mooting was ordered to be held - on the>loth instant, to rescind the resolution .previously passed re obtaining the opinion of . other engineers, and to call for tenders for the next :9SO feet. It was resolved to under- ■ take the reclamation works at once, the - shingle having already roclaimed a large amount of land to the south. It was resolved—" That tenders be called for another 1000 tons of cement." It was also resolved to levy dues on BhippiDg after January Ist, -1879, and a committee was appointed to draw -up a scale of rates. It was decided that the •member for Timaru should be asked to get a Bill passed to give tho Board full powers to deal with the landing services, and get boats, -tugs, or any other necessary appliances.