STATE OF THE RIVER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 11370, 1 September 1908, Page 2

STATE OF THE RIVER.

THE HARBOR QUESTION

When the question as to the condition of the river came up at the meeting of the Harbor Board yesterday afternoon, the Overseer mentioned that on. the duy that the steamer Titatea stuck' in the river the title wag abnormally low. — -The Chairman said it was one of the lowest tides ever experienced in the riven, while Mr Matthewson, referring to the record of depths said that no great difference was shown.— The Chairman added that an Cxcepioiially low tide' accounted for a good deal. Regarding the Overseer's suggestion for utilising the small dredge, he said it was found that the dredge could, not be . worked down the river when there was a range to contend with, but he was afraid that the suggestion made would not help matters, greatly, What would be the use of dredgirig fust alongside "the Avail?— The Overseer said that the dredge arm could easily be extended to reach to a width of 20ft, which would materially help the channel, as the sand would keep moving to the direction where the hole was riiadej ill that . Wa^ tile Jiahd could always be lifted until the supply was exhausted. — In reply to the Chairman the Overseer said the spoil would be got rid of by being put over the wall. — 'The Chairman : That would mean shovelling. | — The Overseer said a shoot could be arranged. — The Chairman doubted whether the stuff could be got to" run off; that had 4 .been unsuccessfully tried before. Still, it was' very necessary that something should be done, and as the cost of the would not be a very great deal, he proposed that a trial of the suggestion, be made.— Mr Whinray said that he was not present when the subject of a bucket dredge -was .gone into, but lie thought that when they reckoned up the. cost, for such experiments as these,, it would pay them to gp in for. a bucket dredge.— The Chairman said 'they were obtainiiig all the information they could ;bri the subject, and that would' probably be placed before thein at the .next '.meeting.— Mr Siey>vright said that the great difficulty seemed to be near the Snark's landing* and they must .make an effort, to get rid bf that. The Overseer's suggestion was Adopted. — Regarding , the . barges, Mr Lysnar said that to save time, he would move that when, .the , price, came, to hand the , Finance ' Cbinmitteee should be authorised ;ti> order one, providing that the cost, was Hot top "''high.— -The Qhaiririaii said that a. special imeeting ; would be. convened as soon as . Mr Leslie Reynolds' report came, to hand'. According to a telegram received' that should arrive about the end of : the week. It was pecessary to obtain the plant to keep the river open.— Mr Lyshar said that the condition of the tiyer ,all showed the necessity of the outer harbor.— The ChaiiThari : Tlmt's , all very well; that's a matter of teni years yet.— Mr .Lyshar : It will come long before leii years.— The Chairman: TJie talk about it is not done yet. It is no; use talking about a thing that's in the air; Ihere must be plant to keep the river open. It is- the Board's duty to do that. There is no use talking about what you expect— we must do, tjhe best yre can^ with what we have gotl — Mr Lyshar said that they should' adopt the report, including the suggestion as to a grab dredge. — The Chairman said that was a matter requiring more consideration, and it was resolved to ascertain the price of the article. „r . . „..,