HARBOR AND RIVER IMPROVEMENTS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1318, 19 June 1883, Page 2

HARBOR AND RIVER IMPROVEMENTS.

Thhough the eo urtesy of Mr. Drummond, Harbor we have examined the plans, for the proposed extension of the wharves, and purpose giving a B ho rt description of the works to b e tendered for. Before doing so, w e m ay s tß,e that the questions of River aud Harbour improvements hav e f or sotll e years back occupied the attention of the various local public bodies. As fa r back as the year 1874, Mr. Drummond authorised by the Poverty Bay Highway Board to prepare plans and estimates for the removal o f rocks obstructing the channel, extending front the bar to opposite Read’s old woolshed ; this was done and the plans and estimates sent to Wellington. The result was, • he Government expended some £4OO in removing several of those rocks most obstructive io the fairway, and thereby widening the channel. A short time after the constitution of the Borough Council, the question again cropped up, and Mr. Drummond was instructed to prepare plans aud . specifications for proposed reclamation of the Foreshore, extending from the Borough reserve at Bright Street, to the termination of Read’s Quay, also plans of the outer harbor, with a view to the construction of a Breakwater. No further aciion, other than the pre paration of the necessary plans and specifications, and forwarding them to Wellington was taken, until the visit of Sir John Coode, who has furnished an elaborate report thereon. The question was then taken up by our member, Mr. Allan McDonald, and submitted to Parliament, and will be again brought forward this session, — with, we trust, favorable results. Some eight months ago a Ilarbor Board was formed, who immediately turned their attention to the necessity for further wharfage accommodation. Having first acquired by purchase the present wharf, stockyard, and ferry, at somewhere about £1,200, three designs were submitted by Mr. Drummond, for the consideration of the Board- No. I, open timber work ; Nd. 2, part open work and part reclamation ; No. 3, reclamation by breast work. The Board adopted No. 3 design; but upon further consideration, and after having taken the opinions of the late Harbor Master, Captain Kennedy, and others connected with the shipping interest, and who have been long residents in the Bay, and are thoroughly acquainted with the river tides, eddies, &c.. they finally agreed to adopt a modification of No. 2 design. The proposed works will therefore consist of part open timber work, and part reclamation, and commencing at the present wharf, seawards for a distance of one hundred and eighty nine feet, which, with the present wharf, will give a total length of two hundred and fifty feet, wharfage accommodation. The open work consists of a deck 16 feet wide supported by totara piles, with the necessary wales, joists The second row of piles is of the same dimeng ona, and the spaces are filled n with elose fittiag eheet piling fonung a solid

wall to retain the earthwork. The third row of piles form land ties for the breastwork, and are connected by iron tie rods (two rods to each pile) tyith proper screws and nuts. All piles will be shod with wrought iron shoes, and the ffddt row drill be sheathed with Muntz metal between high and low water, as a preventitive Mgai.nst the action of fthe “|toredo ” or other marine animalculß. . The present stockyard will be wholly removed, and c substantial .and commodious one erected; between high nnd low wiltef mark immediately idcoining the lower side of Mr Aaair’s iron store. It will be composed of , rotara or puriri piles and blue gum pannels. The front will be sheetpiled below high-water mark, and tilled to the level of the present wharf. The cattle race will be flled at the corner adjoining Adair's stare t from which cattle or stock can bd easily shipped at any state of the tide; it being estimated there will be feet of water at half tides. The siW for the new stockyard is well-choseti, as the stock coming from the country for shipment will cross the Waikanae,' and no interference will take place with the ordinary traffic of the wharves, thus causing less likelihood of danger to life and limb. The present boat landing will be removed, and placed on the upper side of the wharf. The roadway will be lowered to the level of the wharf, and footi paths on the lower end of Read's Quay and along the river bank will be lormed. A sufficiency of mooring piles are also provided for, and upon completion, the structure will supply the place ef a much-felt want. Of course; the present works are only the commencement of other and larger ones which must follow. Att immediate want will be felt in the absence of a goods shed, as the present searching shed is only available for the “ Customs,” and is even now too small for the purposes Required. In looking over the plans, it seems td Us that Mi Adair’s iron store would be admirably adapted for the purpose, both as to site and size, dovetailing, as it doei, into the proposed works, and we think negotiations should be at once entered into for acquiring the same either by purchase or otherwise. If is unfortunate that the Board are not yet in possession of the Crown grants for the foreshore, as their efforts to carry out large and permanent, works are much circumscribed owing to the uncertain nature of their tenure; and the absence of sufficient security;' te enable them to raise a small loan. We trust that the reasons for withe holding the grant will speedily disappear. The cost of the proposed works is roughly estimated at from £l,OOO to £1,200. If, unfortunately, Mr M'Donald does not succeed in coming to some definite arrangements in reference to the breakwater, we are of opinion that the attention of the Board should be devoted to the improvement of the bar and river. Mr Drummond assures us that by a judicious expenditure of from £4,000 to £5,000, vessels with a draft of 14ft. could discharge alongside the wharves. If suable proved ’ to be the case, then we say by all means go in for “ river improvements.”