HAHROMI BOARD MATTERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14784, 17 March 1910, Page 5

HAHROMI BOARD MATTERS.

Sir..—l (jnito agree with "A. V.," in his letter in issue of last Saturday, Hint the board has committed itself to an extravagant mice o[ 2s per cubic yard for reclamation by'the Railway Department. Perhaps the somewhat recent, experience of reclamation at liavensbourne luls been the guiding factor in the acceptance of tho Railway Department's price. It will be remembered that about two years ago the board <lecide<l to fill up iho southern corner of tho reclamation at Ra-vonsbomne. This was onlv a email piece of ground, and was very ehailow. Years uefore it. similar attempt was made by the Vnlcan, but was abandoned after a short, trial. On tho last occasion to which I refer day labourers wero employed : building a bank of sand and sods at tho i r on of tho stono wall. This occupied sove-: '■'! months, and must in itself liavo oost a '■'••■v «nm. Then, elaborate preparations ■ • - ' "le in building a. pile pier to carry '

the discharge pipes, and in excavating a hole by Dredge 222. to receive the dredged material. Finally, the Vulcan pump dredge was brought down, and after some initial pipe failures the pumping operations commenced, Dredge 222 keeping the hole full and the Vulcan pumping it out. After about four to five weeks' pumping the reclamation was partially filled. It is still a good (leal below the permanent-level. The pumping dredge was then removed back to town, and the pile pier removed. I think some of the piles were cut off to shorten the business. That reclamation job must have cost considerably over 2s per yard if all the above contingencies were token into account. While the work was in progress I noticed that the quarry proprietor in the vicinity had offered to deliver quarry rubbish to the borough council at ltavensbourne for a very low price —I think not much over sixpence per cubic yard. There is an abundance of this material, the very best stuff for filling, to be .had, and if facilities were given by the Railway Department for crossing tli«; railway line by a level crossing, a light bridge, or wire ropeway, and tenders were called for, fho work might bo done for about Is per yard. It is lime some of tho Harbour Board members woke up and looked into matters connected with the board's operations. After 35 years' we have the Victoria Chanel with a limiting depth of 17fl at low water, and 6liij» have to be lightened down to 21ft. Over 10 years ago J saw the Warrimoo come up to the wharf drawing 20ft. The reclamation of the old tidal dock, which has laken about five years, and is not yet nearly full, is another matter that requires looking into. About this nmttor I shall probably have something to say on another occasion.—l am, etc., March K. R. E.