THE BERTHS AT THE WHARF.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 15, 22 October 1880, Page 2

THE BERTHS AT THE WHARF.

Our attention has been called to the importance of steps being taken to stop the silting np which is now going on alongside part of the present wharf. A practical man assures us 'that the effect of the piling which has been erected at the south end of the reclamation works is to shoot the current out into the centre of the river, where it meets the main flow of water, the consequence being that a large eddy is caused, which deposits the silt alongside the wharf, especially at the second berth. The result is that at that part of the wharf there is now a depth of water of only about four or five feet at low tide. Unless the silting up is at once stopped, the usefulness of the second berth at the wharf will be destroyed, as no shipmaster would care to allow his Vfcssel, if loaded, to- be strained through settling down upon a bed of hard sand. It has been suggested to us that a groin erected a few chains up the river on the east side, and placed at a proper angle, could be made to shoot the current alongside the present wharf, instead of allowing it first to strike the sheet-piling and then flow into the centre of the river. This idea would doubtless answer the end designed, but it .would probably be at the expense of the intended berth at the south end of the wharf. It is well known that a rery small obstacle has a powerful effect in giving direction to a current, and we would suggest the possibility of a

groin on the west bank being erected with the view of sending sufficient water along the wharf to scour a good channel throughout its whole length. If that plan would achieve the end desired, it would not be at the expense of a berth, as woiiitl probably be the case if a groin were erected on the east bank. The matter, however, is one of considerable importance, and we trust the authorities will look into it and see if the danger pointed out exists. If there is a possibility of the second berth being rendered useless, steps should certainly be at ©nee taken to prevent such an impediment to the shipping trade of the port.