35

D.—l

The following table shows the depths on the Buller bar for each month of the year :—

The difference about corresponds to the difference of rise of tide at springs and neaps. Greymouth. General. —The control of this port and the works connected with it was resumed by Government at the beginning of the year, and the business is carried on in the same way as at Westport. Breahvaters.— -The work of extending the breakwaters is being done by contract. The following statement shows the result of the year's operations:— North Breakwater. South Breakwater. Advance made, lineal feet ... ... ... 140 150 Stone deposited from staging, tons ... ... 21,500 40,084 Cost of stone per ton ... ... ... 4s. Bd. 3s. Id. Cost of breakwater per foot, including staging ... £42 £49 The progress of the north breakwater was retarded for several months by the wreck of the s.s. " Gerda." The steamer was driven ashore on the wall, and broke down 275 ft. of the staging. Although now exposed to the full force of the ocean, the breakwaters are standing quite firmly, and the slope taken by the stone is no flatter than was expected. As at present fixed the south breakwater will extend 480 ft. further to sea than the north oneIt is difficult to determine what this overlap should remain at. It can only be done by experiment. The greater the overlap the easier the navigation of the port, but if the overlap is increased beyond a certain limit the depth and direction of the channel will be prejudicially affected. The overlap as now fixed is the result of careful inquiries and consideration, but it is subject to modification with further experience. If, after a time, it is found that the channel remains good, the south breakwater can be extended a little to facilitate the navigation ; but if, on the other hand, the channel shows symptoms of changing, the north breakwater must be brought up till the equilibrium is re-established. Biver Training-wall.- —The upper Coal-Creek section of this wall has been extended 528 ft. : 23,748 tons of stone were used, costing 2s. lOd. per ton, which makes the average cost of the wall £6 Bs. per lineal foot. A commencement has been made with the middle section of the trainingwall. 1,054 tons of stone have been deposited in 90ft. of wall at a cost of 2s. 7d. a ton, or £1 10s. per lineal foot of training-wall. In September the lower training-bank was finished, 400 ft. having been made during the year with 18,000 tons of stone, costing 2s. lid. per ton, or £6 7s. per lineal foot. After the present contracts for the breakwaters are completed the only important work required for the present in the whole harbour is the extension of the training-wall. It is necessary to continue it piecemeal, otherwise the berthage at the wharves will be subject to encroachment by shingle-banks. Minor Works. —Several small items of works in connection with the harbour, such as landingsteps and moorings, have been executed during the year. Effect of Works. —The beneficial effects of the harbour-works on the Grey Eiver entrance are so well known that it is unnecessary to comment on them. They are unanimously admitted to be a complete success.

Mean Depths c water, takii Three Days and Neap-ti ra Bar at Highag Averages of at each Springde. Month. Spring-tides. Neap-tides. 1888. Ft. 191 18 18* 19| 19 18* 20* 20* 19| Ft. 16f 17f 16f 17| 16* 15* 181 18 18* April May June July August September ... October November ... December ... 1889. January February ... March " ... 20* 21* 21 19i 19f 18| Means for the year 19-f 17|