HARBOR WORKS.

North Otago Times, Volume XI, Issue 349, 25 September 1868, Page 3

HARBOR WORKS.

(To the Editor of tlio Oajiabu Ttmcs.) Sir, — The vital importance of my subject is a passport to your columns. My wish ia to stimulate the desiro among your Oamaru readers to endeavor to prolong thoir existoncc as a trading population, my firm, conviction being that unless they do bestir themselves they will very shortly find that they are so left high and dry by the turn of tho tide that stirring is of no further use. In short, I feel satisfied that unless they at once set " talk" on one side and commence to " do," they will find that their active rival, Kakauui, haa crept up so far to windward ot them that every breath is shaken out of their sails. I am not disposed to puff, " by any indirection," that rising township, all that I shall say for tho " best harbor on the coast" is that I trust Providence may never help mo to express myself as thankful for such a port ; but this 1 will say, that the expenditure of some soveral thousands may bolster it up into a position to compute seriously with tnis town — to shut one's eyes to such a contingency is simply to commit suicide, for it must not be forgotten that the Kakanui is advocated by men of much more weight and influence than, apparently, wo can command tho services of for Oamaru. We must also recollect that should L10.000 be buried in tho 6hingle at the Kakanui, we are very unlikely to get a similar amount disbui'sed here, no matter with what justice or how loudly the extensive vested interests of the place may demand it. Therefore, to be silcuL now is, practically, to bo silent for ever. What hindrance exists to tho opening out of tho Oamaru Creeek ? That it is practicable is wellknown, for we have among us men who are conversant with such works on the coast of Devon. All that is required is close-piled piers filled solid with stone and run out into deep water, dock gates and a daily scour. Where's the difficulty ? I would respectfully suggest that His Wor»hip tho Mayor should convene a public meeting, whereat tho ratepayers might authorise the Council to expend say L100 upon a survey and estimate of cost of such a work, the sarno to be refunded to tho town by tho Harbor Trust when endowed. I fear I shall not profit, directly or indirectly, by my suggestions if carried out, but still I trust that, within twelve months, among other scenes, tho echo of the acclamation upon " The entrance of tho first craft into Oamaru Docks" may reach mo, to n hich I shall at any timo bo happy to add " One cheer more." And am, Sir, Your Hydropathic Correspondent. Oamaru, 23rd Sept., 1868.