TIMARU BREAKWATER.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1287, 22 May 1880, Page 2

TIMARU BREAKWATER.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE OAMARU MAIL. Sir, —The citizens of Timaru are glad that a decision was arrived at by the -Harbor Board at its last sitting to have a consulting engineer for the Timaru breakwater, and that an experienced and competent gentleman from Oamaru has been chosen re the very important work on which the future prosperity of Timaru entirely depends.

Timaru beaoh is different from that of Oamaru, inasmuch as there is a continual scour of shingle travelling northwards with great force in rough weather, and such scour has a very damaging effect on the immense 30 and 40-ton ooncrete blocks now being laid, and it is apparent to every observer that some other method of construction must be adopted than that now being carried on by the engineering talent now in power over such a very important work as that of a safe harbor for South Canterbury. Part of the work already done lias been built upon a layer of shingle bed, and the consequence is that when a scour takes place the whole monolith sinks for a solid foundation, thereby damaging the expensive work, and causing considerable alarm to those interested in the prosperity of the undertaking. Sir John Coode, with assistants of marine repute, were, some years ago, specially engaged from England to make careful surveys on the spot, at the. expense of several thousands of pounds, and, after carefully maturing plans, which fully provided for the shingle question the same were shelved for local ideal plans and approved by a commission in Timaru. Sir John Coode, hearing of this, immediately asked that his plans, etc., might be submitted to the eminent marine engineer, Sir John Hawkshaw, but the local engineers of Timaru carried things their own way, and as a natural oonsequence the matter is one of serious regret to the well*wishers of the scheme in Timaru. The present juncture is one of very serious importance to the community and it is to be hoped Mr. M'Gregor, the engineer chosen for consultation, will take the bull by the horns and act in an independent manner, and not be talked to or interfered with by the old fossil handloom weaving engineers on the Timaru beach, who are ever and anon ready to pester any new comer with their wonderful engineering " opinions."

There has been too much of the "Soratch my-back-and-I'll-scratqh-.j'our's" system in the public works of JSTew Zealand, and if Timaru wishes to have its LIOO,OOO now in hand judiciously expended on proper harbor works, let her beware and have the best marine engineering advice possible, and not let the money be thrown into the sea, for, assuredly, if the harbor works are a failure Timaru will in a few years become a deserted village. If, on the other hand, careful and judicious expenditure is based on thoroughly professional advice, the harbor works will be successfully created, and Timaru will soon become one of the finest little cities in New Zealand. I say boldly, Let those interested in South Canterbury be on their guard in this all-important matter ; let the consulting engineer take an independent stand on his own reputation, and be prepared to stand or fall by the oonsequences of his advice. He will bo well watched and criticised, and a sincere hope exists that he will keep aloof from all local influences, as there is so much cheap advice on marine engineering to be had in Timaru. The notions of such men as Sir John Coode, Elliot, and others are entireiy set aside. When I get on my registered collar I will have another bark. I am, &c., Watch-dog. Timaru, May 20, 1880.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE OAMARU MAIL. Sir, —Will you afford me space in your valuable columns to furnish a few facts for the information of " Mnemosyne" and others about the Atheneeum. Some years ago a section was granted and vested in trustees for the purpose of building an Athensaum upon it. The then Committee erected a portion of the present premises upon it, which were then considered ample for its purposes. It has since been enlarged, and is now quite unsuitable for the requirements of subscribers and others who frequent it. This the Committee being aware of, tried some two years ago to obtain borrowing powers from Parliament, and an Act was framed by Messrs. Hislop and Shrimski, introduced into the House and passed by it, giving the Committee power to borrow L2OOO. But in its stages through the Upper House the power to borrow was reduced to LIOOO. Mr. Forrester kindly drew plans for a new building suitable for the institution, which will cost at the lowest figures L 2500, so that "Mnemosyne" will observe that the Committee have not been idle. I hardly need to observe that the ladies have most nobly assisted the Committee by holding a bazaar in aid of the funds, thereby augmenting their resources by some LSOO, upon which they are endeavoring to obtain a subsidy of £ for £. If this be obtained they will have LIQOO clear money with power to borrow LIOOO more, leaving a deficiency of LSOO. The Committee have at the same "time been extending the usefulness of the Institute by opening the reading room free ta the public, who have freely accepted the boon bestowed upon them ; so freely, indeed, that it was thought necessary to limit the accommodation to one room, reserving the other for subscribers only, who before were almost ousted by a free public, for whose accommodation they paid. I have also ascertained that they have lately forwarded money to London for new books, upon which outlay they are entitled to a subsidy of £ for £ in books from the Education Board ; also that they have ordered, or will soon order, a large number from the said Board and receive a subsidy upon it, thus rendering the library more attractive and more deserving of the patronage of subscribers. Apologising for trespassing upon your space, I amy. &c., A Subscriber.