No Evil Without a Remedy.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 182, 14 August 1888, Page 3

No Evil Without a Remedy.

(TO THE EDITOB.I Sib, —I sympathise with the people of Gisborne in their harbor difficulty. I have conversed with several local engineering and salt water celebrities, and they one and all unreservedly gave it as their opinion that the building of the breakwater was a huge mistake. They assert that the bar keeps parallel with the end of the pier and the further it is extended the shallower the river gets. It this be so then it is evident that if we can only extend the present wall far enough the river will dry up altogether. Starting on this basis, what I propose is that we carry on the breakwater till that point is reached, and if possible connect this side of the bay with Young Nick’s Head. I apprehend no great engineering difficulties, and any knotty point might easily be settled by local talent. The bottom of the bay has already been pretty well explored in the search for the Tarawera’s rook and the Blair Drummond’s cargo. Certainly the Big river might prove a little awkward to deal with, but after due consideration I have decided to allow that river to continue its present course, and if necessary to bridge it over. The materials for this bridge would be easily obtainable, seeing that the Turanganui, Taruheru, and Waikanae bridges would then be useless in their present poaitions. The advantages of the scheme must be patent to the moet superficial observer. We should reclaim at dur very doors hundreds of thousands of acres which, compared with the outlandish, mountainous and paltry Tauwhareparae endowment, would be of incalculable value. The present unsightly Waikanae and Taruheru rivers with their horrid mud fiats, the tortuous Waimsta, and that mariner's curse, the Turanganui, would all be converted into pastures green and might be settled with Rees’ colonists. It is also expected that the

Tuamotu Island and Stony Point would be consumed for materials in the construction of the wall, and thereby two of the great opponents to tbe present harbor scheme would be removed. The line of railway which is now laid across the Haiti flat could be lifted and run into town—and, if necessary, might also be continued a* far as the Mabia goldfields. Instead of a deceitful and ever-changing river we should have a direct frontage to deep water, where, with the help of the Hercules, goods might be discharged with comSarative ease, and in a few minutes rought into town at A nominal cost. With no more alternative schemes to bother them, easy ingress and egress for their goods and produce, and a gold-mining and oil-bear-ing district at their doors, it would be strange Indeed if the people of Gisborne did not resume their pristine condition of contentment. I have not yet considered the cost of my scheme. That is a mere matter of detail which I leave to be worked out by abler heads than mine. It is, however, suggested that the Banks would advance money on the land to be reclaimed, or if no other way could be found the land might be cut up into lots and sold immediately. All the purchasers would then have an interest in seeing the works continned, and there would be less necessity of referring the matter to a poll of ratepayers at frequent intervale, —Yours, &o. t Salvage. ; [We are afraid our correspondent has been - out in the sun more than wisdom would ad> viee.—-Ed,]