CORRESPONDENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 17, 18 January 1876, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor op the 'Evening Mail.' Sir — Of your journalistic courtesy I ask you to permit me to disabuse your mind of an unintentional error — evidently arising from misinformation, probably closely allied to vested interests — in your leader of this evening in relation to the plans of the new wharf proposed to be erected under the Loan Act, assented to on the 9th June, 1874. I should premise that, although it is somewhat contrary to established precedent for the professional head of a department to comment or otherwise publicly interfere with the opinions of the press, yet, when through erroneous information those opinions unjustly reflect, through that official, on the political heads of a Government, I am of opinion that the rule may without much impropriety be departed from without prejudice to truth. Besides, I am furthermore satisfied that your own and the known inherent justice of an English prpss fujly agrees with this opinion, I moreover cordially agree with your remarks that—" Does anyone living in Nelson ever walk along the rotten old structure that at present does duty as a wharf without feeling thoroughly ashamed of the province to which he belongs ?" True, a more disgraceful structure does not exist — nor would be permitted to exist elsewhere— than the present dilapidated old ricketty wharf of Port Nelson. ptyng for the new wharf— open to y.our jp.ernsajl or any pther citizen's critical inspection, explanation — have been designed by me'witfr compreh^sive yjews V meefc 1 thV growing 1

commercial importance of Port Nelson. .They are complete s in whole, or in part, that is, the latter portion (bearing a distinctive color) actually necessary for the present requirements of the port will cost a* percentage under £25,000 if constructed of " jarrah " timber, i e. t Western Australian piles,- the only known timber in this hemisphere which withstands the destructive ravages of the "Teredo Navalis " and other " sea worms" which attack submerged timber. Should it be unwisely determined to construct the wharf of a less durable (because native) timber, the coss would be fully 20 to 25 per cent less. That, however, would be a procedure so contrary to future economy that I, as professional adviser, could not recommend it, seeing that the plans are of such a nature that the requirements of every decade for the next fifty years may save its addition, without in any way disturbing the previous erections, although one comprehensive whole"— the wharf in each cage being complete in itself, in whole or in part. — I am, &c, Millar, F.S.A., Provincial Engineer. Nelson, Jan. 17, 1876.