THE HARBOUR QUESTION.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 212, 21 April 1877, Page 2

THE HARBOUR QUESTION.

[We arc at all times ready to give expressing to every shade of opinion, but in no case do we hold ourselves responsible for the sentiments of our correspondents.]

(TO THE EDITOR OF THE PATEA MAIL.) Sir— A letter from a gentleman professing to have studied the report of the Government Inspector in connection with the Patea Harbour, and to be in other ways eminently qualified to_ give an opinion on the question of river improvements, appeared in your issue of the 18th, in which it was stated that the works proposed by the Government Inspector were not so well suited to meet the requirements of this port,'as others mentioned in the letter. Without having the qualifications of Well-wisher,” I would like to point out, that, from a study of the report and plans I am inclined to believe, that, Mr Carruthers’ plans fully carried out would be eminently successful. In the works proposed by the Chief-Engineer of the Colony the natural channel of the river is followed, and a barrier is proposed to be erected to the accumulation of sand from the South, which will naturally have the effect of giving deeper water on the

bar. The flow of the tide outwards will scour a deeper opening through the bar, which, with the proposed protective works, in the shape of a groin from the Boulder Bank, would not be likely to fill in again. With the deeper water which proposed works would give, the danger of a vessel being thrown on the Boulder B ink, even in the ease of awkward seas, would bo considerably lessened, if not altogether averted ; whilst the completion of both groins would, undoubtedly, give both deep water and protection to vessels. By turning the river and making a channel, as proposed by “ Well-wisher,” the entrance woidd ho placed directly in face of the prevailing wind. The consequence would bo that sand would pile up, as at present on that side, and effectively' block up the entrance, because there would not be sufficient tidal flow to overcome the force of wind and rolling waves, which, of course, bank up the sand. After every strong blow a heavy fresh would be required, and which cannot be had at command, to force a passage through the bar. Besides which a look at the plan will show “foul gromm ” over which “Well-wisher” proposes to form a new channel. It seems to me, that, time enough has already been wasted on this matter, and it is high time work was commenced. A qualified engineer, should be obtained, and the plan proposed by Mr Carrnthei-s thoroughly tested. I think the Harbour Board have gone to sleep. If there should, in the opinion of a qualified engineer be no grave objections to the first portion of work proposed by' Mr Carruthers being done, tenders should bo immediately called for the work.—l am, &c., DISGUSTKD AT DELAY.