THE BAR AT OTAGO HEADS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6564, 30 November 1882, Page 5

THE BAR AT OTAGO HEADS.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —I'KKSS ASSOCIATION'.] Dc.vel>i>", Wednesday. At Monday's sitting of the Harbour Board Mr. Fermor Wilson wrote as follows :— "I am umler no obligation to give tbe Board and the public the benefit of my experience without equivalent remutiera ion, aiui I cannot, therefore, put the Board in possession oi my plans, as they would become public property. I hive therefore decided to submit an oiler for the construction of the works as follows : For the sum of £12,000 I undertake to clear the bar at Otago Heads to the depth of twenty-three feet at low water, and to the full width the tidal Po<" will pdmit of, and to maintain that depth of water for the period of live years to the satisfaction of the Hoard. 1 ask no payment until the work is done, and if the Board will assist me with, plant a corresponding reduction can be made in tho cost, the terms of payment to be £5000 ou the bar being removed to the stipulated depth, £200 three months thereafter, and £1000 at the end of each, year from the date of the contract. These terms should, I submit, be a sufficient guarantee of the liona fides of my offer. I undertake that the passage of vessels during the proi gress of the works shall not be interfered j with, and I further undertake to use all available labour, and to construct the work with the utmost expedition, so that the same may be completed within ei»ht months; and if completed within that time I would ask a bonus at the rate of £1000 a month for expadition." Some discussion ensued on the letter, in which reference was made to a somewhat similar proposal formerly made by Mr* McKer.zie. The following motion by Mr. Fish, M.H.R., was carried on tho casting vote of. th.3 chairman:—"That Ithis Board is not propared to entertain any proposition for the improvement oi the bar at the Heads, unless emanating from professional men, and that Messrs. McKenzie and Wilson be informed accordingly." Mr. Burt said he would give notice that at the next meeting of the Board he would niovo, " That . competitive designs should be invited for tP.O improvement of the 1o»»-t harbour.