PRESERVATION OP THE HARBOR.

West Coast Times, Issue 357, 14 November 1866, Page 2

PRESERVATION OP THE HARBOR.

(to the editor of the west coast times.) Sib — In my letter of the 30tli ultimo I promised to explain my plan for preserving the Uokitika River in its course through our'harbor, nnd I now sit down to redeem that promise, premising that if you desire to uiiderstaud my suggestions you must furnish yourself with a straight-edge (a folded sheet of paper will suffice), a pencil, and a copy of the Map of Hokitika, published by Mr John Kochfort, and dated 12th February, 1866. On that map is delineated a portion of the town, and also, on a smaller scale, the whole of the town and environs, including the harbor and river, with the township of Kanieri. Supposing that you have furnished yourself as directed, I have now to ask you to turn your attention to the small scale-plan of Hokitika, on which you will notice the words " Gibson's Quay" ;' an"d on examining the plan of the Kanieri you will also notice the words " Papanui street." Now, place your straight-edge, and draw a line, so as to connect the letter "y " of the word " Quay " with the letter " v " of the word " Papanui;" and baring done so, mark the line at each end with the letter A. Again, direct your attention to the plan of irokitika, and you will perceive the words "Hokitika River," and

under the words a dotted line, showing the boundary of the shingle bank on tho south Bide of the harbor. On this lino mark a point immediately under the letter "v" of the word " river." Look now a little to tho east and you will see a four sided figure marked " Native Keserve 24," and on examining tho wavy line on the north side of the figure, you will perceive near tho west boundary a point where the wavy line makes an abrupt turn to the south. Now, connect this point by a line, with the point which you made under the letter v, and mark each end of your line with the letter B. You have now drawn two lines nearly parallel to each other, which are intended to represent the course through which I propose to conduct the river. Again, direct your attention to the line AA where it joins the letter " v," and tracing it westward you will perceive it intersects the line which shows the north bank of the river (at which of intersection I wish you to put tho mark c), and runs between and intersects dotted lines representing a bank of shingle (at the point of which I desire you to put the mark d) ; further to the west it intersects another dotted line, intended to show the boundary of another bank of shingle, (this point of intersection you will also please to mark c) ; a little further on it touches yet another dotted line, which represents an ancient bank of the river, and finally ends at the line showing the boundary of tho north bank at Gibson's Quay. Turn your attention again to tho point D, at the west-end of the bank of shingle. About three chains west from this point, another shingle bank commences, although not shown on the plan, because it was not formed when the plan was drawn, and extends westward to within a few chains of the shingle bank at the point E. At the point D, the river divides into two portions, the largest portion flowing towards and along the north bank, until it arrives near the point E, where it is again joined to the smaller portion which has kept a straight course, and here tho united streams bend towards the south. Again, look at the Hue BB ; commencing at its eastern exti'emity, and tracing it also westward, you perceive it crosses the course of the river, runs through the bank of shingle, again crossing the river, and terminating at the dotted line representing the south bank of the stream. Now, my aim is — First, to prevent any portion of the river* taking a course along the north bank between the points c, c. Second, to prevent its bending to the south at the point B. And, third, to divert its course through the shingle bank, intersected by the lines AA 88. Trusting that you will Bucceed in understanding these preliminary remarks, which are essential to the comprehension of much that is to follow, and promising a further instalment immediately. I remain, Sir, lomw, &c, James M'Hafeif. Weld street, Nov. 12, 1866.