THE CROOKED WAY.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 368, 24 October 1889, Page 2

THE CROOKED WAY.

THE HARBOR BOARD PREFER THE “ STRAIGHT LINE."

At tbe ordinary meeting of tbe Harbor Board on Tuesday evening the following report from Mr Thomson (the Engineer) was rend

The section of breakwater now on hand will, when completed, make a total length of 934 feet. On 9th inst. the Marine Engineer telegraphed that he would not feel justified in sanctioning a deviation from the line of breakwater as laid down by Mr Blackett, after mature consideration, without his con . curreuce. I am therefore carrying on the work on the line as originally authorised. The depth of water alongside is similar to that stated in last report. It would be an advantage to have a mooring bu >y made and placed to westward of the breakwater, a few hundred feet distant, so that vessels using the pier could run out lines to it. We have the necessary anchor and chain and only require the buoy. The ladder for pas engers from the launch has been made and fixed. I h-ive communicated with the Marine Department regarding the proposed survey of the bay, so that they can lay down on it what work they want done. The Wave Queen came in on Sunday, 20th inst, with cement for us. The following telegram was received by Mr Thomson from Mr Blair, Government Engineer “In your formal application for altering the approved line of breakwater you give no reason for making the request. Considering that the straight line was altered after mature consideration by the late Marine Engineer, I would not feel justified in reversing his decision without having the reason fordoing s<> on record, and considering what you told me about the movements of the saud, and what is occurring at other places, I do not think Mr Blackett’s line should be altered without his concurrence.” Mr Chambers considered the reason given by Mr Blair to be a very stupid one—to say that be could give no decision himself because his predecessor had given a different opinion on the matter.

Mr Townley did not think the Engineer was justified in going on with the curve after the Board had decided to keep the pier on the straight line; the farmer meant going on to a sand bank. Mr Thomson himself had recommended the straight line, and he showed great weakness in allowing a telegram of the kind to force him to go on with the curve, without even consulting the Board. There was every reason why the straight line should be continued. If tbe pier was curved to meet the sand coming into it, where would they get to? [Mr Bennett: Into the sand.] Yea, they were bound to get into the sand if they turned round to meet it. The Board should have insisted on Mr B‘air or some one else coming to view the work. They saw what had occurred in Taranaki, and how from the do soription sent to Sir John Conde that engineer had advised them to spend no more money upon the work. If the Board was going to be led into tbe expense of a continuous dredging, the place could not afford it, but it would come to that if they endeavored to bring the work in shore. If the Government would not allow the pier to be continued on a straight line, he would sooner see the work stopped, for so certain as the curve was taken it would bring the pier to the sand, or they would have to keep dredging at the expense of a thousand pounds or two thousand a year. He thought the Board should either continue the pier in a straight line, or let the Government send Mr Blair, or whatever engineer they chose, to come up, inspect the work, and then advise what should be done. Mr Chambers said the work was initiated on the understanding that the curve should take place, Mr Townley said the line had originally been altered, because when the buoy was placed to show the position of the end of the pier the objections to it had been so great that Mr Thomson decided to take a straight line out further. Mr Bennett said Mr Thomson went down to Wellington on purpose to have the thing altered. Mr Shelton fully agreed with the remarks made by Mr Townley, and he thought that as the plan was not being carried out as Mr Thomson recommended, and the Engineer in Wellington had not seen the work, and as Mr Thomson’s previous opinions given to the Board had not proved correct and the works were not resulting in the way the Board’s Engineer said they would, they should ask Mr Biair to come up and see for himself. The Board should not tinker with the thing when they saw the things were going. Only last week the schooner Gisborne, built for the trade, and which had traded with the place regularly for the last nine years, came here and could not get in. When things like that occurred it was time for them to look round and see if they were getting the best value for their money. Not only was the Gisborne unable to come in, but the lighter drawing 6ft lin, and on the top of high tide, could not get in, and had to discharge her cargo on the breakwater, Mr Chambers : Mr Shelton is beginning to believe in tbe Engineer’s views, and supports the carrying out of something he has sug gested. Mr Bennett said then Mr Shelton showed “ a very rum way” of believing in the Engineer.

Dr Pollen thought these matters referred to by Mr Shelton should be officially reported to the Board, if things of the kind occurred. The Harbormaster said Captain Skinner (of the Gisborne) told him he did not want to come in, as he had cargo for Tologa Bay and considered it better to lighten it there. The vessel was drawing Bft of water and on Monday there was only 6ft 3in on the bar, and the boat could not possibly have got in. In reply to Mr Chambers the Harbormaster said Captain’s Skinner’s original intention was to lighten at Tolaga Bay, but he had intended to come in at Gisborne if there was sufficient water. The Awaroa was drawing 6ft sin on Sunday, but could only get up to the wharf on Monday. The bar remained about the same, there was no improvement inside, but the tides had not been good. Mr Shelton thought the Harbormaster should report upon subjects of this kind, with which viefr Dr Pollen agreed. Mr Chambers said after all this did not matter much, as affecting the main work, Mr Shelton : No ; it is of no consequence ! The Engineer said there was plenty of water alongside the pier. Mr Shelton : Of course !—when you have been dredging out thousands of tons of sand I —

Dr Pollen (interrupting) thought these remarks were not in order Mr Townley said the Board ought to come to some decision in regard to the telegram, and they had a very good opportunity to make a stand now, The Government Engineer insisted on the work being carried out as originally designed, but from the experience of the Board—and the Engineer said nothing to the contrary—it was considered better to continue on the straight line for the present. The Board should support the Engineer on the spot, decide upon going on with the straight line, and inform Government of its decision. If Government insisted on the carrying out of the curve at present, they should ask that Mr Blair be sent up to see the work. Many a plan had to be altered after experience —it would have been a good job if this one had been altered a little sooner, but they were into it now, and would have to make the best of it. They had to bear the burden; let this gentleman (Mr Blair) come up and see the work. He had understood that the altera-

tion had been agreed to when Mr Thomson was in Wellington. He would move that a reply be sent to the Marine Department giving the Board’s view on the matter. Mr Chambers was very much in favor of supporting the Engineer. Messrs Bennett and Townley wanted to know which Engineer ? Mr Chambers: Our Engineer. In reply to Mr Bennett the Engineer said they were now on the curve. Mr Townley : Oh, it’s all under water, so we won’t see it! It will soon all be under sand. Mr Chambers : What a Job’s comforter Mr Townley is I In reply to a statement by Mr Chambers, that he believed all the reasons for a straight line had been given fully six months ago, the Engineer said they had ail been sept with the plans. In reply to Mr fiievwright the E igineer said he preferred the thing straight because it would give more shelter. In reply to Mr Arthur Mr Shelton stated if

they carried out the work in a straight hue without tbe consent of Government they would be personally liable for every penny they expended on it. . Dr Pollen thought Mr Thomson preferred the straight only because it looked better than the curve. ■ - The Engineer was understood to reply m the affirmative. He bad sent a long letter to Mt Blair giving full reasons, but the letter was not then available. Mr Townley said tbe real reasons were, that the pier showed signs of silting up and if the pier was turned it would prevent them getting into deeper water. Mr Sievwright said he had heard that for the first time, and Mr Chambers turned tbe statement into ridicule. Mr Townley a-ked if those members bld not attended the meetings of the Board. Mr Chambsra said he had, but still professed to be incredulous on the subject. Mr Townley wanted to know why the pier should be bent to meet the sand when the sand was meeting the pier ? The Chairman thought a reply should be sent in accordance with the Engineer’s opinion, that the curve would bring them too near the Waikanae beach. Mr Shelton said that was hardly correct—it was that it would give less room inside the position of the sandbank. Mr Sievwright said if there was anything in the matter, tbe responsibility bad better be left ou tbe Government.

Mr Shelton pointed out that was what a minority had previously suggested when they wished the Government to send up an Engineer. Mr Sievwright said they could not assume that Government was now acting in the dark.

Mr Townley repeated that be would sooner see the work atop than the curve made. Tbe Engineer’s main argument in favor of a 'straight line had been that it would permit them to go out into deep water. Mr Chambers said Mr Thomson’s plan had been altered by Mr Blackett. Mr Arthur asked if Mr Thornton sent a telegram to Mr Blair on the Wednesday, explaining the reasons and asking for au immediate re.'ly, did he not think it would ba given ? The Engineer said when he left Wellington fie was under the impression that Mr Blair had agreed to the alteration. Mr Arthur said Mr Blair probably did not appreciate the position of things. Io tbe course of his other work he might have gotten the reasons given by Mr Tuomsou, the letter might have been mislaid and been looked up when the answer was givec. Mr Thomson thought Mr Blair would be certain to know about the reasons; altogether he had been over the plana about six hours, Mr Arthur said it seemed tn him that Mr Blair was taking up a position that would enable him to avoid any responsibility. Mr Chambers thought Mr Blair would give

his own opinion if asked straight out. Mr Townley thought they should go on with the pier in a straight line, or stop woxk until a reply was received. The Chairman suggested that a telegram be sent. Mr Townley said they did not want any telegrams on the subject. Mr Chambers would not be in favor of a stoppage of tbe works. Mr Townley said there was really nothing doing now, Mr Shelton said they were just ready to go on. the cement having arrived. Mr Townley moved that the Department he communicated withand informed that the Board considered there should be do deviation in the work, because the curve woull approach a sandbank, and a straight line would give greater facilities for shipping. In reply to Mr Shelton, Mr Thomson said he did not think the sand bank was following the work out. He could not tell what the depth was now 100 feet abreast of the work, Mr Shelton wanted to know whether Mr Townley would not add a request for the Go* vernmeut Engineer to come up ? Mr Townley w mid prefer to do that, but a m ijority of the Board had already decided against it. Mr Shelton would second the motion on that understanding. Mr Chambers thought the Government ought to know their own business. Mr Townley said we had to pay for the work. After Mr Thomson had gone to Wellington and consulted with Mr Blair, and they thought everything was going on all right, they had this telegram upsetting everything. The Government had sent an Wanganui. Mr Shelton said the Government had sent their Engineer to Wanganui immediately on being asked and the case at Gisborne was more serious.

The following was then agreed to, moved by Mr Townley, and seconded by Mr Shelton :—

“That the Board write to the Marine Department stating that in the opinion of the Board the work should be continued in a. straight line because no deviation seem* to be necessary, and also because the deviation would approach a shoal which the work should avoid, and further that the straight line would give greater facility for ve««els entering or leaving the harbor, and the B ard would request that the Department will send an Engineer to inspect the works.” Mr Townley moved that the lira ba tinned on straight for the present. Mr Chambers thought there had been a lot of talk over a small matter, but he would not be a party to breaking the law in the way proposed. Mr Arthur did not see why they ooald not continue until thev got an answer. Mr Shelton said they could not go outside the law.

Mr Townley said a few feet would make no difference, and he believed thsre was nothing to prevent them going on straight un il an answer had been received. In reply to a question, the Engineer said the section on which they ware engaged wou’d make a deviation of eighteen inches in the bottom blocks, and if so decided, the straight line could he continued on top. The motion was then carried, Mr Shelton dissenting. On the motion of Mr Sievwright authority was given in regard to the buoys, Messrs Shelton and Bennett dissenting. Mr Shelton wanted to know what was use of spending £2O when no boats come alongside the pier ? The Chairman explained that he had thought it inadvisable to interview the • Captain of the Wave Quean, as suggested by tbe Board, to get him to bring his vessel alongside. Dr Pollen said he had been speaking to Captain Kellv on the subject, and the captain said he would consider the matter if the Board deposited the value of his vessel in someone’s hands.