TIMARU.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 37, 10 September 1903, Page 15

T I M A R U.

(From our own correspondent.) September 7. The heaviest storm experienced during the last 26 years occurred here on the 2nd mst. The high waves broke far out and rolled into the roadstead with great force. From a spectacular point of view the sight was a magnificent one, especially at Dashing Rocks. To those who were against the Eastern Extension the storm of Monday is a complete answer as the Extension has proved to be the salvation of the harbor. While ilia storm was at its highest two large steamers (the Waiwera, 5563 tons, and the Selsdon, 4630 tons) lay moored at the wharf with perfect safety, and worked cargo with out intermission. This fact is an important one, as several papers in other centres made a great fuss over the storm, and deplored the calamity it caused to the Timaru Harbor. As a matter of fact, the harbor was not affected in the slightest, and the injury to the Extension is a mere bagatelle. Through want of large stone from the quarry the staging and piling went ahead of the rubble work and those unprotected piles, 1450 ft out, were swept away, while the rubble work remained intact, proving conclusively after such a severe test the permanent and solid nature of the extension. The strength of the waves was so great that the strong piles snapped like .carrots. The weight of the pile-driv-ing plant on the unprotected piles was the cause of their collapse, otherwise the storm would not have done scarcely any damage. As it was, the permanent exten-

sion was quite unaffected and shipping work in the harbor uninterrupted. Timaru is much indebted to Mr. E. W. Evans, Chairman of the Harbor Board, "for carrying out his strong policy of extension, and whose wisdom in so doing is now admitted by his opponents. While on harbor matters I may mention that the Waiwera is the nrst steamer that has landed cargo direct from Home to Timaru consignees, and she is to be followed by several others.

The forthcoming bazaar in aid of the new church is to be held in Timaru Garrison Shed, and will be opened on Tuesday, December 22. At a meeting on Sunday last the lady canvassers reported that they had met with much success, donations and goods- being promised freely. The bazaar will be Oriental in designation, and the various stalls, of which there will be six, will have names redolent of the land of the Mikado and the Flowery Kingdom. Mr. Mangos was appointed secretary, and a meeting of gentlemen is called for next Sunday afternoon to form a working committee. On the whole the preparations are advancing well and with good promise.

The St. John's Tennis Club open the season on Thursday next The membership is about the same as last year The club is arranging a number of inter-club matches during the season.