A CANAL FOR THE HARBOUR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6736, 18 September 1883, Page 4

A CANAL FOR THE HARBOUR.

TO THE EDITOB,

Sin, —The very able paper read before the' Otago Institute by Mr Barr, C.E., on "The Lower Harbour and Bar of Otago," caused some discussion, and by the remarks of the various speakers—Captain Scott, R.N., and that eminent engineer, Mr Robert Gillies—stated plainly that they did not think the walla proposed by Sir John Coode were placed in the right position. The eminent engineer above mentioned also condemns the canal scheme by plainly stating that tho promoters had a very great audacity to place their crude scheme before the public, disturbing the peace of Dunedin, and especially the Harbour Board. I say, if it had not been for the canal Bcherae we should not have had tho levels accurately settled between the harbour at Dunedin and the Ocean Beach. Mr Barr has taken careful levels, and finds, that the high water in the harbour and high water at the Ocean Beach is exactly the same. That, of course, thoroughly condemns Mr Slirams', 0.E., report of the main sower to Lawyer's Head, where he states, in his own words, that there is a rise of Oft at the Ocean Beach, and only Oft in the harbour,.at high water spring tides, and the wave-line is much higher. That shows pretty plainly that Mr Mirams has made a mistake in his levels between the harbeur and Ocean Beach, and I can-testify to the correct conclusions that Mr Barr has arrived at. When Mr Begg, surveyor, took tho section for the proposed canal he found the levels to be the same between the harbour and Lawyer's Head, thoroughly allaying the fears of the people on the Plat of being flooded from tho oanal. There is not the slightest danger of that, as there would bo a retaining-wall run across, from Anderson's Bay to the railwaystation, and all the ground reclaimed within tho enclosed area.

Thoevevlastingad van tagethatDunedin would derive from the canal would ba something enormous. Nearly all the ships would sail direct for Dnnedin, of whatever size. It would save 50 miles of atoaming between Dunedin and Melbourne and all vessels going BOuth, and an enormous amount of money for towage alone, the distance being only 2J miles to the open sea. ' Refrigerating establishmentscould beereotedon the banks of the canal, and also coalyards for coaling large steamers, doing away with the immediate necessity of putting up expansive jetties at present. Thoro nro beautiful places at Anderson a Bay for the purpose. There would be no necessity for the main trunk newer to Lawyer's Head, thus savins Dunedin £100,000, and £3500 a year to keep the pumping-station in full working order. I hope tho citizens of Dunedin will inquire carnfully into this subject. The tide being two and a-half hours earlier at Lawyer's Head than at Dunedin, and nn hour earlier than at Taiaroa Heads, the waters of the canal will flow right through the whole length of the hiirbour, gradually deepening the Victoria Channel, and clear away the bar at the Heads, thus restoring the ancient condition of our harbour, which ha» been undoubtedly very deep at ono time. The caual will thoroughly cloanss the Uppsr Harbour, and cimir away all tha objectionable matter continually being lodged therein, and thereby increasing tho health of the city immensely, whioh can never be done by any other means. —I am, &c, A. SlHJit, September 17.