HARBOUR ENTRANCE. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6740, 21 September 1883, Page 4

HARBOUR ENTRANCE. TO THE EDITOR.

SIX, —Will you kindly permit me to state that my remarks respecting tho position of seawall proposed by Mr Barr, to which allusion was made in the Daily Times of tha 17th inst., were based partly upon a misconception, arising from theinadequaoy of bis diagram (illustrating tho lino of deepest water) to convey to my mind, at least, a correct idea of the. actual contour.of the shore. Mr Barr, in replying, fully justified his choice as to the starting point of tboiwall, and showed that indirection would expose its end .only to the force ef the heavy rollers caused by easterly gales. With regard to many suggestions which have beefi made for. altering.the harbour, and for convorting a first-class natural port into an artificial harbour, allow me to point but that the entrance to tha present Lower Harbour is admirably sheltered -by Taiaroa Head, on which is a lighthouse to guide vessels to a secure anchorage, aud that thia harbour, besides being land-locked, possesses ample accommodation for numerous vessels. Tho deop water oif Acheron and Dowling Points, with railway carriage near and easily made available, indicate tho facilities which the Lower Harbour is capable of affording for tho quick berthing, loading, and departure of the large steamers,- which are likely to soon absorb the greater portion of the carrying trade. Near these points, it is possible that a dock or Blips may be hereafter placed, and perhaps a line of piled wharves; and in view of other changes to facilitate traffic, Buch as are now fakiag place in Europa and America-, it may bs

well to consider whether any corresponding advantage is likely to accrue from the outlay which would be necessitated by widening and deepening Victoria Channol and erecting wharves, &c. so far from the entrance to our port; or whether, in view of the importance of easy entrance and quick loading and departure of costly steamers of large tonnage, it is not better to be content with the preßent slope and'depth of tbe Victoria Channel (which have now acquired a certain degree of permanence), and to conservo it for coasters. In any case, it is desirable to keep down tbe dues, and to render Dunedin the favourite port for arrival and departure, not only of deep-keeled steamers, but also of the many other ocean traders now visiting New Zealand. —I am, &c, Robt. A.E. Scott. September 20. •