LYTTELTON HARBOUR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1261, 9 July 1864, Page 5

LYTTELTON HARBOUR.

TO I'llK HDITOH OK TUB LYTTKLTON TIM ICS. Sin, — In obtaining opinions on Lyttelton Harbour works, tha agent for Canterbury took especial precautious that every one of the plans proposed, whether by the Local Commission, by Mr. Dobwm, Mr. FitzUorald, or Mr. Buckley, should be distinctly laid before the eminent professional gentlemen, sailors and engineers, who were consulted ill England. The very accurate model of the Port Hills and North Shore, drawn to exact scale, and executed some years by Mr. FitssGerald, was made constant use of for reference. Printed copies of the several plans were sent to—amongst others —Admiral Fit alloy, Admiral Stokes, Captain Burstall, and Commander Evans. The two latter showed very great interest in the subject, Commander Evans especially. Writing of one meeting they had with the English Commissioners, Mr. Selfe, being present as "an ignorant listener," says, " One and all—independently—dismiw Mr. Dobson's straight pier as entirely inexpedient from a nautical point, of view." Mr. Stephenson devoted himself" to the enquiry. Mr. M'C[oan is mentioned as President of the Institute of Civil Engineers, and the "first harbour engineer in Em/land." Admirals Filzßoy and Stokes, and Commander Evans, apart from their especial high standing as naval men, rank among the very first Ilydrographers of their day. It has been their peculiar business, far more than most nautical men, minutely to study and watch localities in reference to wind, weather, tides, and the safety of shipping. In the course of a long service, visiting from one third to three fourths of the made harbours of the world, they must necessarily have acquired, apart from all reading and study, a practical and instinctive experience, eminently qualifying them to judge what sort of engineering works were most suitable for a new port. Admiral Stokes and Commander Evans surveyed Lyttelton Harbour, and know the locality thoroughly. They were the first to point out the present site for Lyttelton, two miles nearer the roadstead for large ships, as preferable to the site before fixed upon in Cass Bay. They also showed that in most winds lighters would have a foul wind from or to the latter bay, while to and from Lyttelton lighters could mostly make a fair wind of it both ways. They also recommended that the site chosen for Christclmrch at the Head of the Bay, which is mostly unapproachable on account of extensive mud flats, should be changed for one on the Avon, and in the neighbourhood of Rieearton. " Evans Pass," on the Sumner Road, was discovered by Commander Evans, and shown by him to be the lowest point of the hills by 400 feet over which a road could be taken to the plains. I believe few persons have ever questioned the soundness of these officers' recommendations.

I mention these facts to show that Messrs. Stephenson and M'Clean had most ample opportunity of discussing all the nautical points of their enquiry with some naval men of the highest authority, of whom two—intimately and minutely acquainted with the Port—cannot in any way he swayed by local interests or prejudices in giving an opinion which ought to have weight respecting the improvements required for shipping. Captain Richards, the present Hydrographer of the Admiralty, who was serving with Admiral (then Captain) Stokes, and also Mr. M'Candlish — in whose opinions every Canterbury settler would have the greatest confidence—were, 1 believe,'to the best of my recollection of some of Mr. Selfe's letters, also consulted by the English Commission. I may be permitted to draw attention to these circumstances—that two of the most eminent English engineers considered it by no means unnecessary to consult high nautical authority before pronouncing their judgment, even though one of these gentlemen " devoted himself " to studying the subject, and the other is the " first Harbour Engineer " of the day ; that they endorse the views of seamen ; that from leading officers of the Royal as well as of .the mercantile navy, from two Harbour Master's, from captains of " White Star liners," of large and of small craft, of coasters and of lighters, there has been as yet elicited but one opinion, which is, that they could not safely berth their vessels alongside the proposed straight tunnel jetty. Some of them ought to know. Your obedient servant, J. W. HAMILTON.