THE RIVER HARBOR.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 12411, 22 March 1911, Page 6

THE RIVER HARBOR.

The special meeting of the Harbor Board to confer with Mr R. W. Holmes, Avas continued this afternoon. Proceeding, the Chairman explained that Mr Reynolds had recommended the lowering of ;the outer end of the groyne, not demolishing the same. They had some members wlio strongly advocated the demolishing of the end of the groyne notwithstanding that it might cost more than the proposed extension of the breakwater. The Chairman, continuing, placed the two proposals before Mr Holmes, and asked him to express his opinion upon the merits of the same. Mr 'Holmes said he belieA'ed there Aras some misconception regarding the psissing of plans by the Marine Department. All that was done, m passing plans, Avas to ascertain whether it would interfere with navigation. The Department did not consider the stability of the proposed structure. Mr Holmes explained the reason for altering the line of Mr Marchant's extension. His own opinion regarding Mr Marchant's scheme was that it could not be carried out ; the papa rock would be swept away as it was deposited. Mr Holmes added that he did not see the necessity, nor did he recommend the removal of the end of the groyne. Proceeding, the Engineer-in-Chief explained the usual scheme adopted m such ports as Gisborne was by providing a Avave-break-ing entrance. A work like that would provide a good entrance, and Avould prevent any range coming up the river. He recommended the Board to carry out a small portion of the work, as far as their funds Avould permit, to protect the groyne. The proposition of Mr McLeod was almost on the same lines, except that he would place the piece of Avail a little further away. Mr Holmes said that he did not consider the Board should worry about the question of silting. The Board had excellent facilities for dredging. Mr Lysnar : It has not proved that so far. : , . . | Mr Holmes : It has not had a chance yet. It is too soon. Mr Holmes went on, to explain that i the extension would be on a curve, and would have to be of a solid nature. He added that the Board, of course, should consider Avhether they intended making this the harbor or Avhether they contemplated one further out. Mr Matthewson asked Avhether Mr Holmes Avould recommend the abandonment of the river entrance Avork for one further out. Mr Holmes replied that ho did— the shifting of the work further over. The Chairman explained that Avhat Mr Holmes had recommended was for removing the range m the river, and making a port for the next ten or twelve years, not the making of a harbor for eternity. At this stage the Board entered into a cross-table argument respecting the respective policies of the majority and minority of the Board. The Chairman explained that it Avas quite evident the plans they had Avere of no use, and they would have to start again. Mr Lysnar took exception to the Chairman's remarks respecting the minority on the Board, and he proceeded to explain that he took no responsibility for the present dangerous state of the entrance. The minority had not stopped the work. He urged the majority to get to work and carry out the project.

Mr Kells asked if Mr Holmes Avas prepared to pive any details of his proposal. Mr Holmes said he Avould desire to -place Jiis proposal down m Avriting, and m doing so he would give a. plan and an estimate as close as possible. Mr Matthewson, harking back to the remoA'al of ,she end of the groyne, asked if a little dynamite Avould not remove this. This would be done with a minimum expense compared to the proposed extension. < The Chairman said the deputation would learn that the Board was not going to proceed at once with the suggested work, but would wait till they received the plan Mr Holmes had kindly promised them. ■ There was, he emphasised, no need to fear of financing the scheme. If Mr Holmes considered the blowing 'up 'of the end of the groyne was desirable, then he (the Chairman) would say do so. He was quite satisfied they Avould get a. reliable report from' Mr Holmes, and he only wished that Mr Holmes' visit had been earlier. He thought that if they went on with what Mr Holmes recommended, the peonle generally Avould be satisfied. Mr Matthewson contended that they should fro to the ratepayers. It was absolutely necessary for this large district to have an 'outer harbor. The present dajigrer, he • Airi?ed n should be re--moved m the cheapest and Quickest Avay, the blowing off of the .end of the groyne. The Chairman said they must be prepared, to spend sufficient- to make the present work useful. Even • if they Avere to start with an outer harbor, it would, iudging by the experiences of other places, take 10 or 11 years to complete. Furthermore, these breakwaters took a great deal to maintain, and they wo'dd - hn.ve to make the present .river their harbor for years to come. /

Mr Clark asked if the deputation had anything to say. Mr Bright explained that the Comi mittee representing local shipping interests Avas seriously impressed Avith the urgency of the matter, and m expressing pleasure at Mr Holmes' attendance, hoped that he would lose no time m forwarding his report. The Chairman, m thanking the deputation, emphasised the intimation made by Mr Holmes that the approval by the Marine Department did not necesi sarily mean the endorsement of the I plans. .After further^ discussion the deputation Avithdrew. « , The Hon. Capt. Tucker said that they were grateful to Mr Holmes for having attended' on the Board, and also ! to thank! him for the promise of further assistance m the future. Mr Matthewson, m seconding the motion, remarked that it was almost asking too much of Mr "Holmes for his sheer good kindness. The Chairman said that he thought Mr Holmes had done what he had, recognising that the Board was m a very tight corner, and ho (the chairman) thought it would pet them out of it. He had very much pleasure m conveying the thanks of the Board to Mr Holmes for his visit, and his promise of a plan. The Chairman added that if Mr Holmes thought that tho blowing off of the groyne would help them then let them have it. Mr Holmes, m replying, thanked the Board for their expressions, explaining that he had the Minister's approval of the action he had taken. Mr Holmes was accorded the hearty applause of the B^ o "d, and the meeting terminated.