A STEP IN ADVANCE.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 289, 23 April 1889, Page 2

A STEP IN ADVANCE.

The practical demonstration of the utility of the breakwater pier, which was made last week, is a highly satisfactory testimonial, and will be an antidote tothe " croaking ’’ tendency of some people who are always ready to give voice to their prejudices. It'was freely stated beforehand that the first steamer that attempted to lay alongside the breakwater would be the last that would do it for a long time, which, given the interpretation intended, meant that the risk was too great. In face of these assertions, the result was the more gratifying, and proves how far such opinions may be relied on. At halftide Captain Dawson brought his vessel up beautifully, and later on he backed her out as easily as if she were in a mill pond. In three hours the whole cargo of cement for the Harbor Board had been discharged, taken up in the trucks, and stored in the shed. This meant a saving to the Board of about /’so, but the saving is nothing compared with the satisfaction that has been given by this illustration of the use to which the pier may already be put. There is no doubt much credit due to Captain Dawson’s able seamanship, and the splendid way in which he handled his vessel, but the Union Company’s service on a whole is noted for its efficiency. If the Maitai can get alongside all right the Australia can do the same. Of course it is not to be expected that this could be done in bad weather, with the pier only at its present length ; but it has now been proved that in fine weather, before half the loan has been spent—and the greater portion of that has gone in machinery and preliminary expenses—the smaller boats belonging to the Union Company can be brought alongside. Yet it is only a couple of weeks back we heard a person whose experience ought to entitle him to be considered as a fair authority say that none of the Union boats would ever get alongside the pier I To show the conflicting opinion we may state that one gentleman on the Maitai informed us that the breakwater structure was a splendid one, that none of the other works on the coast could be compared with it, and that he was convinced it would be a great success. This is quite an altered tone to that which we have generally heard given expression to on the Union boats and we cannot but accept it as a very hopeful sign. Gisborne people always make the serious mistake of decrying anything which concerns themselves, and the natural result is that other people take up the same strain. We have always held out that the construction of the breakwater was commenced before the time for it was ripe, but now the work has been so far advanced towards completion we join in congratulating Mr Thomson on the proof which has been afforded of the efficiency of his work so far as it has gone.