HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 238, 13 January 1875, Page 2

HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS.

The following report by Mr. Drummond, C.E., has been furnished to the Road Board. The original plan of the proposed works was forwarded to the Provincial Government by the Pretty Jane last week

Gisborne, January 7th, 1875. Sir. —I have the honor to forward for your information and guidance, the attached plan of the “Inner Harbor” shewing the position of the existing obstructions in the channel, proposed extension of wharfage accommodation, and new beacons and buoys, &c., &c.

I may state that soundings were taken from outside the bar to the junction of the Taruheru and Waimata rivers, giving the depths shown on plan. Those depths represent the depths at low water and mid-channel.

From the outer buoy the water shoals from two fathoms, to three feet on the bar, from three feet to eight feet opposite the wharf, then shoals to eighteen inches, and again deepens to six feet opposite the ferry. The obstructions proposed to be removed consist of nineteen (19) pieces of rock, forming portions of the bed rock, situated between the inner buoy and outer beacon. At low water one is uncovered and the others show from eight inches to two feet below water level. Captain Kennedy estimates the removal of each at about twelve pounds sterling, (£l2) making a total of two hundred and twenty-eight pounds sterling (£228.) Captain Kennedy also recommends that it is advisable that increased wharfage accommodation be afforded, and suggests that a wharf and embankment be made as shewn on the plan, that is, that a breastwork similar to the one now existing, be erected, within about twelve feet of the end of present wharf, and that a wharf twelve feet wide be erected for a distance of about two hundred and thirty-five feet (235) this if completed would give the required accommodation. The expense of erecting the same I estimate roughly at about eight hundred pounds sterling The pilot also recommended that a beacon be erected near the extreme point of the boat harbor on a rock which is covered at high water, also that a buoy be fixed on a pinnacle rock some distance from the outer buoy the eost of which is estimated at about twenty pounds sterling, (£2O). The total cost of making the improvements named is roughly estimated at—- £ s. d. 19 rocks to be removed at £l2 228 0 0 Wharf 800 0 0 Beacons and Buoys 20 0 0 £lOlB 0 0 I have not entered into any further improvements, such as deepening the bar and dredging the channel, as the nalureof the works necessary for such, will, I imagine., involve an expense not at presenteonteniplated.—l am, &e, John Drummond. C. E., Surveyor. P.S.— The plan has been forwarded to the Superintendent of Auckland. J. D.