The Westport Times. THURSDAY, MAY 26, 1870.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 663, 26 May 1870, Page 2

The Westport Times. THURSDAY, MAY 26, 1870.

A correspondent in our last issue calls attention to the proposed stone groin, about to be erected by the Government for the protection of the river bank, and expresses an opinion that the work will prove altogether ineffective in its results. It may appear presumptuous in any individual to express an opinion, altogether differing form the views of the engineers, employed by the Government, at the same time, the matter is one of such importance, and the success or otherwise of any scheme entails the saving or loss of so many thousand pounds worth of property, that the subject is entitled to the fullest ventilation. "The wing-dams that have been placed in the Hokitika river, have not fulfilled the expectations that had been formed regarding them, either in respect to improving the channel or protecting Gibson's Quay, and in the latter respect there appears no likelihood of their proving useful in the future, unless the bank is protected by a continuous facing from the upper wingdam to the wharf. Assuming, however, that the projected groin will have the effect desired, so far as partially relieving: the bank from any extraordinary pressure of the current, it will become a matter of equal importance to run a facing along the bank of the river, to preserve the narrow sti'ip that yet remains between it and the buildings adjoining, and unless this is done immediately the destruction of the wharf frontage will be completed. The recent floods and severe weather although not accompanied by any extraordinary flood, have detached many tons of the bank, and at the present moment the space is hardly sufficient for the passage of a single dray. It must be fully patent to any one who will take the trouble to observe the effect of the floods that, in order to obtain any permanent relief, the work must be substantially carried out Ot what avail is to batch the bank hero and there, and in the end frittering away as much or more money than

would accomplish all that was requisite, if the undertaking were substantially and thoroughly completed. The Government should certainly not be unwilling, and we cannot think they are unable to apply acompetent remedy. Recent events furnish an additional argument in favor of prompt and efficient measures. The gradual encroachment of the sea must lead to the occupation of sections higher up the river, and sooner or later, a considerable number of people will be located on lands at present unoccupied, the thoroughfare will have to be continued along the river and after large sums have been expended in forming a street and rendering the allotments habitable, it will be found that all the money and labor have been thrown away, because, in the first instance, the necessary precautions had not been taken to confine the bed of the river. The tardy action of the Government, and the very unsatisfactory arrangements that have been finally concluded reasonably form matter of complaint. The contract for the construction of the groin has been very improperly let to parties, at a price that it must have been well known was unremunerative, and at the same time no security was given that the contract would be completed; a precaution the more necessary as the tender accepted fell very far short of the estimated cost of the undertaking. The progress made by those to whom the. work has been intrusted, and their competency to accomplish it, may be ascertained from the fact that the first punt for conveying the stone is not yet completed, and beyond, having sawn a few hundred feet of planking, its construction has not been commenced. The first punt was to have been reported, as ready for working on Saturday last, and a second fourteen days later. We presume the obvious inability of the contractors to fulfil their agreement will lead to the cancel of the present arrangement, and that fresh tenders will be called for; at the same time much valuable time has been lost, and, before any considerable progress can be made, the floods prevailing at this season will in all probability retard the work and inflict serious injury.