NEW PLYMOUTH NEWS

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 241, 19 October 1901, Page 3

NEW PLYMOUTH NEWS

EXPERIMENTING WITH BREAK WATER.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) New Plymouth, last night. At toe Harbor Board meeting to-day Mr Napier Bell's report was read regarding tiie proposal to cut a hole in the breakwater with the object of letting the sand drift through. Naturally, he says, it seems possible, but only the actual experiment can convict. Mr Bell knows of no case where the method of connecting the mole and shore with the open viaduct has been successful in overcoming the sand difficulty, and unreservedly condemns making a a mail hole in the breakwater. He doubts the efficiency of an opening 40 feet wide, and fears the accumulation of sand tnat would come through a 4u feet opening would only relieve the necessity of dredging to a small extent. He suggests that to settle the question whether the sand would accumulate in

the sheltered area that the joint of the fixed &and pump should be taken out and observations made. Mr Bell sees no difficulty in cutting a hole, but does not recommend that it be done, preferring to rely on dredging, which has been so successful in tiie past.

FEDERAL TARIFF. I Tiie Chamber of Commerce to-night j passed the following resolution in response i to the Premier’s telegram: “ That although I the Chamber deprecates the action of the | Federal Government in endeavoring to | close the door to many products of this j colony by the imposition of a prohibitory 1 tariff, yet it is inadvisable that reprisals in the shape of a tariff be instituted, as tne bulk of our imports, coal, hardwood, and fruit provide the return freight of vessels in the intercolonial trade, whereby our products are conveyed to Australian markets at minimum rates. A further suggestion that negotiations be entered into by the respective Governments to establish reciprocal treaties whereby the natural products of each colony could enter the other free of duty was lost.

HOTEL LICENSE ENDORSED. Tom Suntrt, licensee of the Okaira Hotel, was lined X’.IO and costs at the Police Court to-day and the license endorsed for exposing liquor for sale after hours. The Magistrate added that even if the indorsement had been optional he would have endorsed the license.