REPORT ON HARBOR WORKS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 951, 13 June 1868, Page 3

REPORT ON HARBOR WORKS.

Executed in the Province of Smoke's Eay, during the financial year ended SOth June, 1868. During the past financial year, the undermentioned works have been executed in connection with the harbor, viz : — 1. A new wharf, fitted with a four-ton crane, has been erected at the bottom of Customs-street. 2. The timber facing at the crane, which was decayed, has been replaced by a stone wall. 3. A quay wall has been nearly completed from the crane to Messrs. Watt's wharf. 4. Mooring piles have been driven at the Western Spit. 5. An examining shed has been built in front of the Custom House. I beg leave to suggest that a part of the amount set aside for Harbor purposes by the "Loan Appropriation Act, be applied, during the next year, in the following manner, viz: — 1. The quay-wall to be continued from Messrs. Watt's wharf to the cattle yard. Estimated cost, £280. 2. Fender piles to be driven in front of the whole quay, about 7 feet apart. Cost, £190. 3. Piling, as proposed by Mr. Balfour, to bo carried from the cattle yard round the point. Mr. Balfour's estimate for this portion was £4185; but as since then a considerable reduction has taken place in the price of labor and cartage, I clo not think that the cost, inclusive of the backfilling to the level of the wharf, would exceed £3200. 4. The old timber-breastwork at Gough Island should be replaced by a stone wall, consisting of heavy limestone blocks ; the wall to have a good back slope, and to bo of sufficient height to prevent any silt being washed over it into the iron pot. Estimated cost, £640. 5. Purchase of hand dredge, as proposed hy Mr. Balfour, with gear complete, £1000. The dredge, worked by 7 prisoners, should be able to clear m 6 months a channel in front of the what res 50 feet _ wide, near «the entrance, gradually decreasing to the 25 feet at the old crime, and 8 feet deep at low water. Oisb cleared, the channel can be maintained by 1 * 3 or 4 months' labor in the year. The

machinery is so simple that the contingent expenditure, when once in working order, would be bnt trifling. The above detailed outlay, amounting to £5310, woulcl, I feel satisfied, not only secure a good inner channel, but likewise ample wliarfage accommodation, and great convenience for traffic on shore, by enabling drays to pass from tho point to the old crane, between the stoves and the ! shipping ; and as a great portion of the j work is composed of' stone, the cost of I maintenance would probably be light. Charles Weber, Provincial Engineer.