INNER HARBOR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3156, 28 February 1911, Page 7

INNER HARBOR.

HOW TO IMPROVE THE RIVER ENTRANCE, f BOARD URGED TO TAKE PROMPT AND IMMEDIATE ACTION. WHICH IS THE BETTER SCHEME?

The oft-discussed question- of the best means to minimise the danger, generally acknowledged to exist at the entrance to the river, was again discussed, and lengthily, at the meeting of the Harbour Board yesterday afternoon. The subject was brought directly under the notice of members when a letter was received, on bihalf of the shipping and mercantile interests of the district, strongly urging that something should *be done by the Board, and 1 done speedily, to remedy the existing condition of affairs. To Extend the Breakwater. Having read the letter (details of which appeared in a recent issue of the “Times”), the Chairman intimated that lie had sent a short reply, stating that a special meeting of the Board would, in all probability, be called to go into the- matter. The question was an old one, hut a very important one, and the Board was being called on with no uncertain voice, to do something to reduce the risk and danger at the river -entrance. Plans and specifications had been* prepared bv Mr Marchant and approved by the- Government, for the extension- of the breakwater, and if the Board so desired, a commencement of the work would be authorised, or a special meeting could be held to discuss plans with a, deputation from the interests concerned 1 . Proceeding, the Chairman pointed out that under Mr Merchant’s specifications, the Board would have to find all the cement to be used in the extension, of the breakwater. Mr Clark: But we are by no means bound to accept those specifications. In reply to Mr Parker, the Chairman said that as far as lie knew what the shipping people wanted was t 0 see the extension of the breakwater begun. Mr Parker pointed out that Mr Marchant, in a. report, had stated that the extension would probably cause an accumulation of silt in the mouth of the river. If that were to be the case, he (Mr'Parker) felt sure they would have to send Home for half a dozen more dredgers like the Maui. The Chairman: stated that they were not dealing with the silt question then, and reminded members that Mr Marchant had recommended extension of the breakwater as the best means of remedying the range in the river.

A Question of Finance. Mr Mattliewson asked what money was available to carry out the work if it- were proceeded with, The Chairman said that no doubt they were a little overdrawn at the bank, but they had £26,000 yet to draw from another source. They could manage to finance, the work with a little assistance from the bank. The proposed extension would -be a big undertaking', probably requiring two years to complete it, but if it was found to be a necessary' work, and one t-liat would improve the- river entrance, the- question of finance should not be- allowed to stand in the way. Mr Parker: lam afraid it is only an experiment. Further rather desultory discussion followed, during which the specifications forwarded by Mr Marchant were criticised. The Chairman remarked that it would be seen-that Mr Marchant’s plan provided for a 240 ft. extension, sft. lowerrin height than the present breakwater ; all cement to be provided by the Board free of cist to the contractor; the Board to provide a tally clerk and weighbridge office; a tramway to Pa hill, with the necessary locomotive, trucks, etc., for the carriage of stone. Mr Clark: Those specifications are- no good to us at all; they are absolutely worthless.

The Chairman: They throw so much responsibility on the Board that we might as well do the work ourselves by day labour. It will be a very big job. An Important Detail.

Air Harris asked if the specifications had been drawn up before the tun el. into Pa hill had been tested.

The Chairman: About the same time. In reply to Air Kells, the Chairman said that the Pa hill tunnel had disclosed the fact that, there was' no good rock there. The Board had suggested taking 100' acres at Waihirere for the purpose of getting suitable stone, but the Government had considered that 50 acres would be sufficient. There was no suitable stoner nerer than Waihirere. Air Harris: Well, if we have got to go to Waihirere for stone, Air Alarchant’s estimates will he all wrong.

Air Parker : I look on the whole thing as an experiment, and a very poor one at that.

Air Clark said that-the specifications were not for contract at all. and would put them in a worse position than if they had done the work themselves. Stone was no doubt a great difficulty, but tlie question was: What were they going to do ? They were faced with the danger and difficulty in negotiating the river, and were constantly being reminded of it. The question of an outer harbour had been mentioned, but, presuming that they decided on an outer harbour straight away, it would be many years before it could be completed, and what tehy were going to do in the meantime? No doubt a great responsibility rested' upon tlie Board, and they should face it squarely and fairly. It was for them to decide what to do, and personally he was of opinion, that they should proceed with the work. The Alternative.

Mr Parker asked if Mr Mareliant had not advised them that removing the top off the groyne for a certain distance would not cope with l the difficulty. Mr Harris' replied that Mr Merchant had reported to them that extending the breakwater would cause a lot of silt to accumulate in the river. If they extended the breakwater, would the shipping people be in any better position? Personally, he would favour removing the top off the groyne, which lie held would help to combat the two troubles in regard to the river—silt and range. Captain Tucker said that the matter had occupied the. attention, of the Board for two years, and 1 they all knew the considerable amount bf danger that existed. Also, they all knew that a great expenditure would be involved, and probably they were, trying to avoid it. He thought they should not trouble too much about 'finance, as'in. view of the. great danger to life and property the expenditure would only he a comparatively few pounds. ■ Whether the. proposal to extend the breakwater was on the right lines or not he was not prepared to say, hut he thought that by way of reply 1 to the representations that had been made to them the Board should undertake some such work most appropriate for meeting the requests of

the deputation. He moVed: “That the Board do now resolve to undertake some such work on the lines laid down by Mr Marchant.” . Continuing, Captain Tucker said that, in the main, he agreed with the proposed work, but recognised that there might be a varying required in the details. He- believed that extension of the breakwater was most likely the solution of the present unsatisfactory position. Who Should Report? Mr Ivclls asked who were they going to get to report and suggest a remedy, if t-iiey did not' accept Mr Merchant's proposal. Who was the recognised expert in harbour matters in New Zealand ? Could any member suggest anyone whose opinion would be better ? An enormous sum of money had been spent by tlie Board in obtaining expert opinions, and there must be some- finality. Captain Tucker pointed out that the Government Marine Engineer had seen the plans and had seen the locality, and had approved of the plans with a slight modification. Air Parker: He never said it was going to be a success. Mr..Kells: If lie did not- think so it was his duty to the public to say so. Mr Harris said that he Avas not prepared to say that the extension of the breakwater would not remedy the range in the river, but he would say that the present dredging plant would be altogether insufficient to deal with the silt, which, according to Air Marchant, was going to settle in the'river. The Chairman contended that the Maui would be quite capable of dealing with the silt. She had not, he said, as yet, been: dealing with silt, but deepening the bed of the river to 16ft. at low water, and removing clay and papa rock. Mr Kells seconded the. resolution. Deputation from Shipping Interests.

At this stage, Messrs W. F. Cederwall, J. W. J. Preston, and J. Bright waited upon the Board. Mr Bright explained that bad the- representatives of shipping companies known that the question was to hAve been discussed, a much larger deputation would have waited on the Board. He asked that, as the matter was so important, the Board should give it every attention and discuss it in detail at a special- meeting, at, which it was suggested that those representing shipping interests might be allowed to attend.

Some discussion followed as to the necessity for a further meeting in view of the resolution then before the Board. Mr Clark said that if the members ol the deputation were satisfied with the plans, and the Board was prepared to go on, there was no need for anything further. Several members expressed tlici r appreciation 1 of the danger existing and their desire to do what was found to be best to remedy it. Air Cederwall said that as long as the Board was sincere in its wish to proceed with the extension of tlie breakwater, that was all the shipping people wanted, except to urge them to proceed with the work with the utmost dispatch possible. Air Alatthewson said that no one recognised the danger more than he did', and no one was more anxious than lie to see it remedied. He, too. drew at&ntion to the fact that Air Marchant- had said that to take 150 ft. off the groyne would have the same effect as lengthening the breakwater. A New Suggestion.

He (Air Alatthewson) suggested moving back the groyne for the distance mentioned at' an an. angle so as to prevent the seas striking it and coining into the river, and to prevent the sand coming round the end of the groyne into the river. He criticised the provision to have the. proposed extension sft. lower than the present breakwater, contending that the seas would wash over it and cause the river to be quite as bad as it is now. Pie claimed that Iris suggestion was at least worthy of consideration, and it could be started at- once and completed in three or four months. Mr Clark: AVhy, man, you couldn’t get the plans approved by the Government in that tune. Air Alatthewson: By going the other way you are. fighting against Nature all "the time, and Nature will win. Mr Parker suggested that perhaps the members off the deputation had some scheme or proposal to lay before the Board.

Mr Preston pointed out- that they had not thought the matter was going to be discussed that day by the Board. Their .intention in waiting on the Board was to obtain a definite assurance that tlie matter would 'be proceeded with at once, and probably at tlie special meting, which they bad understood would be held. They had no scheme to lay before the Board, and he was not even prepared to say that the extension of the breakwater was the last word on the matter; there might he other ways. The trouble had been, going on for a long time, and the owners,, of deep ships coming in were not inclined to go on. much longer. The danger Avas great; something had to be done, and it'ivas imperative that it should be done at once. They Avere getting closer and 1 closer to ci big accident every day. Two Pertinent Queries.

Air Bright (to the chairman): All avc Avant to know,is: Does the Board recognise the urgency of the matter, and is it prepared to aet in the matter at once? •The Chairman said that every member of the Board fully sympathised with, the request that- something should be clone, and done speedily, and assured Air Bright that a special meeting avoulcl be called to. deal with the subject. The. deputation then, withdrew. Captain Tucker: Well, sir, would it not now' be better to defer further consideration unt-if the special meeting ? A lengthly cross-table discussion took place at this stage, during which it was mentioned that while- Air Marchant had said that taking away the end of: the groyne Avould probably have the sank' effect as extending the groyne, he had said that he could not recommend the adoption of the .former course. The Chairman stated that if the Board Avas dissatisfied with the specifications, they could get a fresh'set for a contract for the entire work. . ; The secretary pointed out that already a sum of £lB7 had been paid to Mr Marchant for plans and reports. Mr Clark favoured the acceptance of Mr Marchant’s plan, hut-not- his specifications, which, he said, Avere absurd. To “Slew” Round the Croyne. Air Alatthewson then moved the, following amendment: “That the overseer

be instructed 1 to 1 ascertain the cost, and gave an estimate of “slewing” round the groyne, at an angle to prevent the seas rushing, into the river and to prevent the sand coming into the river from the westward.” In doing so, he urged on the Board the fact that such a work could bo carried out without any: risk whatever, and that for probably one-twentieth part of the cost of extending the breakwater, they could achieve the same object. The best interests of the Board and of the district would bo served by adopting his proposal. Air Harris seconded the amendment, at the same time remarking he was quite in sympathy with- Captain Tucker’s motion, which did not hind the Board to anything. -He recognised something must be |Jone, and.thought Mr-Matthew-son’s proposal would provide a remedy at a much less cost than that of extension. Air Kells again pointed out that the whole question, had' been submitted to a recognised expert, with a free hand to do what was best. The expert had not suggested “slewing” round the groyne,* but the extension of the breakwater. He -(the speaker) would be prepared to support a resolution, or to move that Air Afa.rchant’s plans be- accepted, and that tlie work be- proceeded with immediately under, perhaps, altered specifications. Some doubt was here expressed as to Captain Tucker’s motion, and it was eventually announced to be as follows:—“That the Board resolves to take such steps' as will, in their opinion, cope with the danger at the river entrance, on the lines of Air Afarchant’s plans ,as modified by tlie Alarine Board.”

Engineers’ Mistakes. u Air Parker said that tlify all had had experience of,the mistakes made, by engineers. They did not know that the extension of the breakwater was going to be a success, but they did know that Air Alattliewson’s suggestion, if carried out, would l be successful, as-, before the groyne- was extended there was no range in the river and no complaints from the shipping people. Tlie extension. of the breakwater would probably cause a_ bar to form at the entrance to the river, and it must not be forgotten that while the shipping 'companies wanted something done they were- not going to pay for it; the sum they would pay would be an infinitesimal portion of the cost. If be had a hope that the extension of the breakwater was going to be successful he would vote for it at once.

Captain Tucker contended that the plan suggested by Air Afattliewson would be an experiment, and he greatly feared if they adopted it, it would only lie to return to the plan supplied by Air Alarchant and approved by Air Holmes. He would be quite prepared at a subsequent meeting to move to rescind his own motion if any prominent engineer would recommend “slewing” round tlie groyne The Amendment Carried.

The amendment was then pot and declared carried, Alessrs Alatthewson, Parker, Harris and Captain Tucker voting in the affirmative, and tlie Chairman. with Alessrs Clark and Kells in the negative. Captain Tucker declared that the amendment was not really an amendment to his motion, and clid not traverse it in any- way at all. He -voted for the so-called amendment, as he wanted all the light possible brought to bear on tlie subject. Air Clark said that certainly the working of the Board was most astonishing. AVhat, he asked, were they going to do with the overseer’s report when they got it? It seemed to him to be hardly prudent to pit the engineer’s opinion against those-of Alessrs Alarchant and Holmes, two prominent- experts. Passing the amendment also seemed to him like telling the deputation that they wanted to have the matter shelved until a further date. What the Overseer Thinks.

In reply to the Chairman, the overseer said that the work of “slewing” the groyne, if it Avere possible, Avould be attended Avith tremendous difficulty. Th© moment the structure was canted to the westward it would receive the whole force of the seas. Especially if using the ol dtimer in the groyne he would 1 notfeel inclined to undertake the job at all, and would go- so far as to say that it would'be quite impracticable to carry it out. Then,'again, the cost of pulling down the groyne and re-erecting it- in the desired direction ivould be enormous far mor© than that for an entirely new Avork. He did not mind saying that Air Alatthewson’s proposal would, cost more than Air Marchant’s estimate for the extension of tlie breakwater. “Doing Something.”

Captain, Tucker again-contended that Mr Matthcwson’s proposal was not an amendment to his motion.

The Chairman : If we put them both wo shall at least have done something.

Captain Tucker: That’s right; show the deputation that avg are willing to do something from- each point of view. (Laughter.) The Chairman, then put the motion to the meeting and declared it carried by four to two. ' The Chairman: Alessrs Kells. Clark, and Captain, Tucker voted for the motion, and Alessrs Harris and Matthews© n against. Air Parker declined to vote, remarking that it was altogether childish to vote on aii.y motion to Avhich an amendment had l been carried. • Mr Kells then said he was prepared to move that Air Alarchant be asked to prepar© specifications for the whole work to be done by contract; all the plant to he supplied by the contractor. The Chairman : Here goes another £IOO. After, some further discussion it was ultimately agreed to meet- the Representatives of shipping interests at a meeting next Alonday afternoon,, and that, in the meantime, the Chairman 'and the Hon. Captain Tucker should have the necessary alterations made in Mr Alarchant’s' specifications. . ■