THE PROTECTIVE WORKS.

Grey River Argus, Volume VI, Issue 441, 10 November 1868, Page 2

THE PROTECTIVE WORKS.

(To the Editor of the Grey River Argus.) Sir — A few words on the topic of the day — as far as this town is concerned — may not be amiss, as it may serve to provoke discussion on a question that certainly wants ventilating badly. I need scarcely Bay that I mean our protective works. In your leader of Thursday last you give credit (and justly so) to the Borough. Council for their anxiety to carry on these works in a business-like manner ; but while allowing this, is it not worth while to enquire whether they are likely to succeed in their object — whether the works as proposed by them are the best, and whether the mode they are adopting of realising funds for those works will be of any avail. If there is any doubt on these points (and many say there is grave doubt) now is the time to solve it, or not at all. "Itis of little' use locking the stable-door when the steed is stolen." With respect to the mode in which the Council propose to protect the river bank, I would simply suggest that if they were to get the best engineering opinion available on the spot they would be doing no more than their duty. It is notorious that the members cf the Council themselves differ as to the, value of " Bcrub protection ;" why not therefore do all in their power to fortify themselves with such engineering talent as is really available, and not hastily adopt a crude scheme when a more efficient one may be ready to their hands. I have no wish to depreciate the value of Mp Johnston's opinion, whether given as Town Surveyor or District Engineer. I have no doubt in either capacity it is equally valuable ; but 1 certainly think it would lose none of its value were it strengthened by the scientific opinions of such men as Mr Rochfort and Mr Frew, of Hokitika ; Mr Wylde aud Mr Cooper, of Greymouth ; and Mr Lowe and Mr Greenwood, of Cobden, all of whom would be accessible at a very trifling expense to the Council. But the question mainly resolves itself into a monetary one. If it will require the thousands named by the Council to ensure the safety of the protective works, then it is evident that any amount short of that spent on the work is only endangered — the first fresh may carry works and repairs together out to sea. The wisest economy would be to do, what every prudent n.<an of business would do, when his prosperity is endangered, viz., to take stock of his resources before sending good money after bad. In this case the plain course seems to be, first to decide on a scheme, of pro-? tection — one that offers durability being the cheapest, tinkering never pays — and I think without adoping masonry, at a cost of (?), a cheap and durable scheme could be found, certainly one better than a bundle of twigs. The mode of carrying on the work being decided on, a thorough practical working estimate of the actual amount required to complete it, and then to decide upon the, readiest means of raising the required funds. It appears to me that the Council have taken the most objectionable and least useful of the three modes they have of raising money for this purpose — they have " strained at a gnat and swallowed a camel." They say we can't raise a special rate to pay for>a loan, because the-Govern-ment won't consent, and they then take it for granted that the Government will consent to their doing a directly illegal thing— that of raising a "separate rate," "meant only to be used for particular portions of the Borough," and of appropriating the proceeds towards a "general purpose." They must give our rulers credit for more obtuseness than they appear to deserve, for judging by the refusal to allow of a special rate being struck, they evidently have no intention of granting without question all that may be asked of them. Again, is it so certain that the refusal ! to permit of a special rate being struck I will not be withdrawn ? I think not We i find that the Council, through our mem-> | ber and by telegraph, applied for permission to raise a loan, and at the same time asked whether they could legally take over the debts of the Road Board ; the answer is "no," and that the Govern-, ment censure the extravagant expenditure of the Road Board. Here apparently Jay the secret of the refusal Have the Council again applied, or have they taken any steps to lay the true state of affairs before the Government ? None that lam aware of. Can there be. any doubt that it a plain statement of the facts of the case, setting forth the immediate necessity of this work, the plan on which it is proposed to carry it on, and the amount of funds required for its completion, were embodied in a petition to the Government, signed by all the ratepayers, can there be any doubt that an immediate consent would be given to strike this rate. At any rate it is but a plain duty to make the attempt; for the ordinary revenue of the Borough, raise it as, you will, can never complete this work. We shall be told that thetown is in danger, in the meantime. I can only say, that if it is, a sixpenny rate would save it. You may save the pilea and planks (by means of tie-piles) from being carried out to sea, but you certainly won't prevent the scour going on by the use of either tie-piles or brushwood. It is but patching after all. I am not at all sure that (ihe consent once granted) the special rate would delay the progress of the works. Contracts could, be let on the strength of the rate. The progress of the town will be seriously retarded if the ordinary revenue, arising from general and separate rates, should be diverted from their legitima^ purpose of improving and cleansing the iown, to the foreign one, of carrying on works that ought fairly to be charged for the future. * It is all ve|cy weH to say, where would be the town but for the present protection? but we must not jorget-^first, thai| it ijs likely to. be carried away before it is paid for ; and, next, that the scheme itself is, radically defective— -for with the present scour going on, and with the example of the Westport wharves before us, it is high time to look for some, other mode^ 9! protection, than timber and. scrub, though, o£ course,' "there's nothing like leather." Suppose we try stone for a change. Bock 1 sounds "better than scrub. Jam, &c., ' ' , - '. &ROTOBB.

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