The Oamaru Mail WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURIST. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 1879.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 975, 4 June 1879, Page 2

The Oamaru Mail WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURIST. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 1879.

Tftrc boring operation.* which are lining J carried on m the Clamant Harbor with the idea of ascertaining the practicability |nd the beat method of deepening the trator, have been attended with the most [encouraging results. It has been generally understood that the bottom of the harbor consisted of rock, and it was with the idea of operating upon this for the purpose of improving the harbor that the expedient of boring was resorted to. No one seeme«l to have any idea that beneath a thin cnist of rook there existed a lucky layer of shatey day, although it would appear that Mr. Forrester, who is ever on the alert in the interests of the institution of which he is secretary, apprehended something of the kind. 3£r. Forrester has ascertained the important fact that there is Tint one foot of a conglomerate formation, by no means difficult to remove, ami beneath that a stiff htm- clay, which c0.t!.l bo scooped out to the d>pth of 9ever.il teet with the greatest possibk-.u e. Tiie discovery of a srold mine would not have been .-o valuable. There- will be nothing evanescent in the effects of such a discovery upon the future of Oamartr. The excellence of outharbor is paramount. Every other ingre- : tiient waf here to make ours a most prosperous district of a prosperous colony. ! This keiiß-»ighted men saw at a glance, ami ! entered upon harbor works that earned for us a name for enterprise. These works have beert prosecuted atniost unceasing!}. and they have proved to be everything that their projectors ar.it the inhabitants of this district contil desire, whilst they have been far too sati4a.-t.Ty t» some, who-c .oni- ; lijev«iat jealousy e.eitd not withstand s». severe a test. Th? growth of oar sirippir:trade is increasing with daily increasing confidence in the substantial i.r.tnre of thes>. bttlwarks of our commerce. Tiie attempt a few months ago to injure the poll by misrepresentation has done tu more good than harm. The Hart,or Hoard saw the necessity for making known universally tiie esaet position «>f the affair, and they have done it #.» well that tU-re exists more confidence th'tn ever in the >*<»:'>••. t ;~ety ot arrangements for tlw aceomtHodatior. o* shipping. Bat we have done scarcely more than make a start. The ambition of the people of this district isr that we should go much further, and make the harbor stteh ad would render it nnmccssary to filter all our foreign imports and a large share of exports through other ports. It is now evident that ottr lot has been east in a portion of the t'olony th;>t only Deeds such .energy as that which is being brought to bear to inake it one of the principal colonial ceatre3 of agriculture and commerce. A few uiore years and the largest ships that visit the Colony will b«i able to find perfect shelter within the Oamarn Hsrbor. We have not the too yielding mud U D harbor exposed to heavy swells like that of Lyttelton, or a botched harbor like ttjat <?f DnnWhat has been done to oar harbor has been clone well—all unbiassed judge*) lay jso. A little more depth, with the extension now being proceeded with anil the "return/ and » harbor will be made such as will meet the requirements of this and adjoining districts, the increased populations of which will render a good harbor absolutely necessary. Once dredged, there will 1m» scarcely any possibility of the portion dredged filling in, lot the top crust will present such an occurrence. . Ti" 3 13 33 tbe matter seems to us to stand, judging from the boring that has been done. Those who j o«ght to know, agree that the discovery is one over which we may all rejoice. Especially should ths Boatd. who have expended so mneh time and e&ergy in the carrying on of the great work they fcsye undertaken, feel protal that there is now mots reason than ever to hope that they will meet with j perfect auceess.