THE HARBOR BOARD IN REPLY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2262, 17 June 1880, Page 2

THE HARBOR BOARD IN REPLY.

The following reply of the Harbor Board to Mr Blackett’s report has been forwarded to the Marine Department:— Sir, —In compliance with a letter received from your office covering a copy of Mr Blackett’s report respecting certain damage to the railway and stated to have been occasioned by the Timaru Breakwater, and in ■which letter you desire the Timaru Harbor Board to submit any remarks they might wish to make thereon to the Government, the Board has the honor to lay before yon the following reply from the committee appointed by the Timaru Harbor Board to reply thereon ; The committee having taken the evidence of Capt. B. Woollcombc, R.M., Capt. Cain, Messrs 11. Scalcy, E. W. Stubbs, Jones and Kirbjq has to report : That from the personal knowledge of the earlier settlers here, dating as farback as 1857 and 1858 current to the present time, a scries of continuous encroachments of the sea on the coast line has been going on on many parts of the whole coast, from the Waitangi northwards to the Dashing rocks, amounting, in some place, as shown by the evidence of Air 11. bealy, to four or live chains since 1863. That the abrasion of the coast near AVI rale’s Creek further north was especially noticed, and long before the Breakwater was commenced, had necessitated the removal of the telegraph poles further inland more than once. This refers to the site between the present viaducts. Further north this encroachment action, of the sea had brought down and still continues to bring down the cliff far inland of where Captaiu Woollcornbc’s early survey pegs had been placed. The evidence also shows a continuous supply of shingle was not, and is not, invariably maintained on the beach, but that this frequently alternated with sand, not onty here, but as far north as the Ashburton and AVakanui Creek, if not to the llakaia. This proves conclusively that the shingle is in no way the protective power asserted by Air Blackett. The evidence further shows unanimously that these works, viaducts, &c., wore erected in a most unlit and dangerous situation, and whilst admitting that some acceleration in the denudation has been caused by the Breakwater, it is clearly shown that it would be a mere matter of time either to protect this part of the railway by powerful, works, or for the utter destruction of the Same? by the sea. But the.evidence of Air John ’McGregor (engineer to the Oamaru ’marine works), and of the Board’s engineer, Air John Goodall, borne out by the opinion of almost all practised men here shews that the Breakwater when carried out will in itself greatly protect this part of tiie railway, and as shown by further evidence the doloritc formation from and beyond the Dashing rocks to the northern part of the Waimaitaitai lagoon will protect that part of the coast. It is also shewn that the originally intended railway line was laid oJf further inland, and that the said creek (Whale’s Creek) was in the time of the early settlers an inlet of the sea, only crossable by drays at half tide.

Evideuco also shows that Mr Lowe had in contemplation, and had plans drawn out for the protection of the railway line by a sea wall, extending from the present railway goods shed to George street or beyond. This was considered necessary by the denudation of that part of the beaeli before the construction of the Breakwater, but the construction of the same by retaining the shingle lias obviated this (then necessary) work, and saved a very heavy outlay to the Government, surpassing what has been or may be required to the north. The committee would also point out that the very heavy outlay for stone brought down from Lyttelton or Christchurch for the protection of these viaducts might have been materially reduced by using the local stone, which is of a far bettor quality, and may be obtained at a much cheaper rate. This is shown by the evidence of Mr H. J, Scaly and J. Kirby taken by this committee, and by the report laid before the Chamber of Commerce.

The committee scarcely thinks that the assertion made by Mr Blackett that this Breakwater would affect the whole coast line to Lake Ellesmere or beyond, requires an answer, and -would merely refer to what has been stated before in reference to the occasional alternation of shingle and sand along the coasts. Mr Blackett infers in his report that only plans for a solid Breakwater were laid before the Commissioners. On referring to the report of the said Commissioners to the Government, it will be found that they had Sir John Goode’s plan before them, took evidence thereon, and furthermore, that they, in the reports, gave their reasons, strong and cogent, for objecting to this plan, and advocating that of a solid structure. Also in their second report, which Mr Blackett ignores altogether, they recommend the continuance of the solid structure.

Mr Blackett comments on members in the Commission appointed for the purpose of deciding on the plan to be adopted for harbor construction. This appointment was made, entirely outside of the Harbor Board’s knowledge or influence, by Jthe Government, whose selection of members the Board has no reason to doubt was made from good grounds, and the conduct of the Commission, when in Timaru, carefully examining all the plans and data connected with the subject, and deciding on the plan which lias been carried out, and the success which has attended the work in ail its stages, is ample refutation of the inference which Mr Blackett wishes to be drawn, as to the ability and judgment of the gentlemen referred to.

The committee would further point out that from the knowledge of gentlemen now on the Harbor Board who were appointed as a deputation to Wellington before the passing of the Timaru Harbor Act, the clause in the Act authorising the appointment of Commissioners by the Governor for the approval or otherwise of plans for such works at Timaru, was inserted on account of Mr Carruthers having prejudged and being antagonistic to all such works, and he having expressed his opinion thereon, was not considered a fit person to act as referee when the whole question was to bo reconsidered. The committee have in evidence also that neither the shingle banks across the Waimaitaitai or Washdyke lagoons have perceptibly changed. In reference to Sir John Goode’s later report, Mr Blackett in his report in the clause commencing “Sir John Coode taught by a life long experience, &c., says, “ but on this part being “ brought to the notice of Sir John “ Coode the latter felt that objection “ might be just, and thought that all the “ facts of the case should be referred to “ the consideration of a third party of “ engineering celebrity before any such “ steps were taken.” The committee had these papers from Sir John Coode before them and what he did say is : “ The line of action I have to suggest “ for your consideration is first, to “ forward this letter with its enclosure “ or a copy, to Mr Carruthers for any “ comments which he may have to make “ thereon. 2. Should Mr Oarruthcr’s “ opinion still remain adverse to the “ success of works, then I would suggest “ that the opinion of another Engineer, “ say Sir John Hawkshaw, should be “ solicited.” —and the committee cannot but consider this as a reaffirmation by Sir John Coode of his previous views and an appeal to Sir John Hawkshaw to bear him out.

Taking what has been stated into consideration, the committee begs respectfully to say that it considers Air Blackett’s report most exaggerated, onesided, and unreliable in that the danger to the viaducts has not been caused to any extent by the Breakwater, but is a material consequence of the false position of that part of the railway, and of the wearing away of the coast ; also that the Breakwater will he a protection to the railway when carried out, and in the meantime the same can be protected at a comparatively moderate cost.

The Board have the honor also to band you the evidence taken by the committee, copy of a letter received from the Bevels Road Board, and a reply from John Goodall, Esq., C.E., to Air Blackett’s report.

I have, &c., Fulreut Archer, Chairman Timaru Harbor Board