NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 229, 20 June 1908, Page 7

NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR.

< ■'AN LMPORTA'NT REPORT; .; . (BT .TELEGEArn.— SrrCIAL CORRESPONDENT.) , ,/ . , New Plymouth, June 19. XT A very important report bearing upon tho JNow Plymouth proposals to borrow for harbour extension, w'ork was submitted to • tho Harbour Board to-day from Mr; F. W. Marchant, consulting engineer, who forwarded tho first ; systematic survey- made since the breakwater was commonced, has given tlio depth of water a- vessel would have to traverso , m entering the harbour when tho breakwatQr. is: extended. 1 " These* outside depths,, says Mr.. Marehant, "are better thiin I thought.. Tho least depth of water unsheltered _by the . proposed breakwater ex-' tension which a vessel would traverse in approaching- the harbour at low water spring tresis about 31 feet, with a minimum depth of' 27. foet immediately under the lee of the breakwater; . As there is a riso of from 10 to .12 feet, from low to-high water at neap and _ spring tides, the harbour is capable of receiving vessels of the .' very deepest draft if sufficient dredging were performed under tho lee of the breakwater, when extended. Tho great depth/of "water, arid its sheltered Bit-o offer facilities for making this harbour a really first-class port; and that at a much less cost than-has been expended on some of the other artificial harbours in tho Dominion." ' -. ■ ■■■■■ •- . -

Mr.v Marehant, in another report, stated that ho estimated the cost of-extending tho JNew/-Plymouth breakwater, lengthening- the wharf in ferroconcrete work, with spring piling fender work, purchasing a dredgo, and excavating the harbour, including repairs incidental thereto, .would total. £133,000 including _cngineering contingencies and sundries. Ho was, however, of. opinion that the actual, cost of the. works .proposed would bo considerably leas than the sum estimated.