To the Editor of the Star.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume X, Issue 1918, 1 May 1888, Page 2

To the Editor of the Star.

Sir, — There can be no doubt but that your leader on Saturday on the harbor question, having for your text the report of Mr. Blackett (the marine engineer for the colony), was calculated to spread dismay throughout the district. Whatever opinion one may have held as to the wisdom of the expenditure on account of the breakwater, even its bitterest opponenta, if they have the good of the district at heart, must feel regret at seeing their worst fears apparently realised. Such, at least, are nay own feelings in the matter. I have been opposed to the expenditure from the first ; still I should gladly own I hud been wrong, could the harbor bo made a success — that, of course, being the point upon which the difference of opinion exists. In concluding your remarks, you say : "He who could devise and secure efficacious and acceptable means to relieve the Taranaki Harbor of its sand, the Harbor Board of its financial troubles, and the harbor ratepayers of their special rate, would be welcomed at the present time as heartily as if he were an angel from above." Well, sir, I have no doubt you will hear of plenty of suggestions, which will be offered with the object of achieving an angelic reputation, but I fear in most cases it will be an illustration of the saying that fools rush in where angels fear to tread. At the risk, therefore, of being classed as a fourlettered man (as a friend of mine once called a person whom he wished to call a tool without hurting his feelings), I send you these few lines. I have this excuse, however, that I have, without claiming to know much about engineering, all along pointed out that, from the peculiar position occupied, by the breakwater, just what has occurred must take place sooner or later ; and to many persons in this district I have given my reasons for so stating, and how, in my opinion, it might have "b^en avoided. Whether my idea can be carried out now is a question- for engineers to decide, but it is worth considering. Any one can try the experiment in a sandy creek, and if they adhere to the plan that has been followed at New Plymouth a like result will follow ; and a cure can be effected in the same way as I propose should be adopted at the breakwater. In marine engineering, in addition to the ordinary difficulties, tho ebb and flow and direction of the tidal currents have always to bo taken into account. If their forces can be made to work for you, so much the better ; a wise engineer will always endeavor to do so. A few years ago, a close observer would notice a considerable current round Moturoa point, where the root of tho breakwater started from ; hence the deep water round the islauds referred to by Mr. Blackett. Now, my contention is that the breakwater just cuts off this current, and the wuter off the back ground behind the islands has, therefore, become dead water, and the result is the sand is no longer carried round this point, but nearly all sinks and stops there ; and it is only a question of time when the whole space inside the islands will be reclaimed. The same thing takes place (owing to the eddy^caused by the breakwater) on the other "side, some of the sand being carried round the end by the tide as it flows past. My theory is that, instead of this tidal current being cut off, a channel ought to have beon.left between the root of tho breakwater and the shore. The tidal current would then flow through this channel, and provo a

most effective dredge, working for the Harbor Board night and day. Not being a professional man, I cannot expect my opinion tohave much weight, but I should Buggest trying this remedy even yet, before more expensive works are undertaken. It has, at anyrate, the advantage that it would not cost much, though it would probably require a few chains of protective wall to prevent the breakwater causing the tide to eat away the land ; but this wall could be used as a wharf for small vessels, and would, therefore, be an advantage. In conclusion, sir, it is much to be regretted that the difficulties of the board should be so greatly increased just now, when they require all their energies to cope with the financial difficulties that surround them ; and as their difficulties are our difficulties, it behoves every Bettler to endeavor to devise some plan to extricate ourselves therefrom. Mr. McGuire's proposal seems to me to be the best we have had before us yet, and now the question is not affected by election prejudices, it might be worth considering if something can be done in the matter. Something ought to be done, and done quickly, as the House will soon be meet* ing. — I am, &c, E. G. Allsworth. Manaia, 30th April.