PATEA HARBOR.

Patea Mail, 13 January 1881, Page 3

PATEA HARBOR.

The Pilot reports the condition of the bar during December, as follows: —“The entrance from bar is straight but narrow. Width from breakwater to spit 91 feet, with 10 feet of water on bar at spring tides. No damage has been done in launching the schooner Jane Anderson over the breakwater. One man and punt have been engaged to lift snags. Enclosed is air account of new stern sheet, rudder, and beacon supplied as per contract. The flagstaff, rigging and boats require painting. In order to pevent the chafing of hawsers and wasps against concrete blocks I would ask that three fathoms of strong chain with shackles to shackle on to rings on breakwater be supplied. I would also request that a spar be placed at each corner of new wharf, or that they bo rounded off, as their sharpness is liabe to chafe and cut the bow and stern line of vessels lying alongside. Since my last report thirty-four vessels have crossed the bar, four crossing at night.” FUTURE WORKS. The Engineer to the Harbor Board lias prepared drawings and specifications for future works in connection with the bar and river, as recommended in Sir John Goode’s scheme. Mr Thomson was requested to do this before terminating his connection with the Board, on completion of the contracts which he has been superintending. As no important works can be undertaken until further funds are raised, the Engineer cannot be retained in the meantime. He submitted drawings to the Harbor Board, with the following memoranda :—“ I lay before you four sets of drawings and specifications for future works in connection with the harbor. The first is for an extension of the present breakwater for two hundred feet farther seawards. The construction is somewhat similar though heavier than the present work on account of the increased exposure as it is carried outwards. The second is for a guide pier on lines laid down by Sir John Goode, parallel to the present work but on the west side of the river. Its object is to guide and concentrate the flow of the ebb tide on to the bar. The third is for a training wall on the east side of the river, near the boiling down establishment, where the river is rather wide and shallow ; and the fourth is for cutting a new channel for the river through the point immediately above the bridge. It provides for excavating a small channel and then forcing the current through it, which will gradually bring it to the proper size. 'When the river has been thus straightened the old channel can be filled up and a valuable reclamation made on the town side of the river. The contractor for the cattle wharf has maintained his work for the specified time : it can now be taken over. A number of pigs have been placed in the yard for shipment ; they have disturbed the surface to a considerable extent, but I understand that the owner guarantees to leave everything right when they are shipped.”