NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR. MR. BLACKETT'S REPORT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume X, Issue 1914, 26 April 1888, Page 3

NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR. MR. BLACKETT'S REPORT.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, April 26. Mr. Blackett, Engmeer-inChief, has presented a report to the Minister for Marine on the allpged accumulation of sand near the New Plymouth breakwater, and whether in his opinion it is probable that it will be a permanent injury to the harbour, and also the best means of removing it and preventing it again accumulating, with an estimate of cost. In doing this after fully describing the present works, he says the accumulation of 6and has shallowed the water to such an extent that Mikotahi, formerly an island at high-water, is now connected by a sand bar, considerably above the level of high-water ; sand has found its way round the end of tbe breakwater, forming a narrow spit across the entrance to the harbor, extending a distance of 450 ft, and barring, to a certain extent, the direct approach of a vesßel to tbe wharf inside the breakwater. There are also found further deposits of sand along the inner face cf the breakwater, covering a length of 900 feet, and from 100 to 70 feet wide. Mr. Blackett does not agree with the opinion expressed by the residents that this accumulation of sand is from debris thrown into tbe sea, but contends that the supply of sand comes from a long stretch of Bandy beach lying southwest of Paritutu and other islands. The approximate estimate of the cost of the various works are as follows : — Erecting a rubble stone groin or wall between the block yard and Mikotahi, including the laying of rails, to connect with the present line, to the quarries, £10,000; construction of heavy rubble stone groin from Mikotahi to the Lion Bock, including road and line, ; construction of heavy rubble stone groin from Lion Eock to the Island of Motoroa, .£10,000; waggon stock, cranes, &o , £4000 ; contingencies, say, £7000*. total, £87,000. The first item should be carried out first, and the work could be completed out of funds now in the hands of the Harbor Board, viz., £1838. Other works, amounting to £6000, might be spread over several years. The work should be well watched as it proceeded. Futther work would be needed in the removal of the sand spit already formed. The importance of maintaining such a harbor is great, and would justify exceptional measures to secure the necessary amount required per year.