The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, APRIL 3, 1876.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 90, 3 April 1876, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, APRIL 3, 1876.

We recently had an opportunity through the courtesy of Mr Akersten of inspecting the plans of the harbor works, for the construction of which tenders are now being invited. Although the shape and locality of the proposed wharf can of course be seen at a glance on the plan it is not so easy to give a clear explanation of them in words. We. will, however, endeavor to furnish some idea of the amount of work to be done, and of the conveniences that will be afforded to shipping when the wharf is completed. Starting from the bonded store near the Custom House a stone wall will be run out 386 feet to seaward, and then 197 feet of pile work to where there is a depth of 23 feet at low water spring tides. Erom thence will start the' L face at a slightly obtuse angle towards the harbor entrance. . This L., which will be 120 feet further out than the present wharf, will be 45.0 feet long by .50 feet wide, or double the width of the present one. Erom the inner angle the pile work will be taken shorewards 200 feet, then the stone wall will begin again at a right angle towards, the Albion Wharf 190 feet, then shorewards again 170 feet. Erom this point, which is close to the boat landing on the present Government wharf, it will be taken 180 feet to the Albion Wharf, which it will touch at a distance of 141 feet from the present Port road. Thus, it will be seen that, exclusive of the northern side, there will be six. faces to the wharf, the principal one, outside the L, being 450 feet in, length, at which two ships of 1000 tons each will be able to lie. Here the lowest depth of water will be 19 feet. The inner berth will be 389 feet in length, with a depth of water never less than 14ft. 6in., where two ships of 600 tons eac.h will be able to lie, and in addition to this there will be, accommodation for five other vessels of from 200 to 400 tons. Outßide the stone wall at all these berths will be two sections of pile work to protect the wall. The approach to the wharf will be rhiade easier and safer by the removal of the rock which is now buoyed. The earthwork will be let in two contracts, that between the Albion and present Government wharves being No. 1. This will require 10,000 yards of earth, and when completed will give a block of reclaimed ' land 200 feet by 125 feet in extent. No. 2 will extend from the present Government wharf to the stone wall running out from the bonded store, and will require 34,000 yards of earth, the land so reclaimed measuring 400 ft. by 250 ft. On this will be built a bonded store capable of holding 2000 tons. The remainder of the reclamation will, if required, be let. to merchants and importers for the erection of stores or other purposes, 'lhe estimated cost of the work is £15,000, and it is expected that it will be completed in 15 months.