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South Canterbury Times, Issue 2259, 14 June 1880, Page 2

Tiik tumbling down of the blocks at the outer end of the breakwater several weeks ago opened (he eyes of the engineer to the fact that sand and shingle were rather slippery foundations for such a work, and a dredge was accordingly recommended. The proposal was adopted, and with a celerity which seemed to be remarkable at the time, the “new idea’’was ordered. At the following meeting of the Board a long letter was road from Messrs Sparrow and Co., of Dunedin, offering to supply the Board with dredges or other appliances at the shortest notice, and on terms that would favorably compare with the cost of the imported article. Apparently it had never occurred to our harbor architects that colonial industry and enterprise were equal to the task, for instead of helping the labor market and keeping their money within the colony, they had sent abroad to England for the article they required. The result is a partial stoppage of the construction of the breakwater (ill the new dredge arrives, which will probably be in about twelve months, whereas one might have been made in the colony to order in a few weeks. In addition to that it is just possible that from want of supervision the imported dredge when it comes to hand will be found quite unsuitable. The Oamnrn Harbor Board seem to manage things in a different way. They have just obtained from Dunedin a scoop-dredge for the purpose of removing the accumulated sand alongside the wharves. Tills lias been so constructed as to allow of its being worked by the cranes, and its operations, although of great value by removing the sand and giving a greater depth of water at the wharves, will therefore he of .small cost. The “ Mail” states that this dredge can be worked from boats used as barges for (lie purpose. Vie are certainly surprised that in connection with an appliance of this kind the Timani Harbor Board should have preferred exporting their money out of Xew Zealand, when valuable time and, probably, capital as well might have been saved, and the labor market might have been relieved by patronising our colonial ironfounders. It is this method of quietly ignoring native industry that tends to make poverty so rife, and discourages artisans and manufacturers alike. We trust the members of the Board will bo able to explain their conduct in the matter.