South Canterbury Times. THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1889.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 4985, 18 April 1889, Page 2

South Canterbury Times. THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1889.

There need not be much said respecting the report of Mr Marchant on the shingle accumulation. According to the common phrase, the report “ speaks for itself.” It is exhaustive, in that it gives all the details one can want to know, and sets forth the natural laws that have to be taken into account in consideration of the question. It is clear, showing that the writer has a perfect grasp of the subject. Captain Sutter, who asked for the report, in order to put an end to the conflict of opinion as to the rate of accumulation, expressed himself satisfied, and as he was the only member of the hoard who had expressed dread of the shingle doing any injury, it may be taken for granted that others who may have had similar fears will be similarly contented —for the present. We fully agree with Mr Marchant’s suggestion that if it ever becomes necessary to do anything to check the accumulation, the erection of groynes, and these not necessarily near the Breakwater, will be the proper way to do it, to effect, to use Mr Marchant’s very apt phrase, “ the balance of the accumulative and destructive forces.” Captain Sutter “ Oh, oh’d ! ” this idea, but we feel sure that he regretted his ejaculation, when he heard, a few moments later, the reasons given in its favour. Mr Marchant’s excellent report ought to lay the shingle boguey for some years at all events.

We are given to understand that the police intendtoprosecute persons caught exploding dynamite in the harbour for the purpose of capturing the sprats which just now happen to be remarkably plentiful here. It might be argued that it would be more reasonable to regulate than to suppress the use of explosives for such a purpose. The fish are migratory, wanderers, here to-day in shoals, to-morrow or next week there may not be a solitary sprat within miles of the harbour. Under proper regulation there could be no harm done, and cheap fish could be obtained by the people. It certainly will not do to allow dynamite to be used with the recklessness or ignorance which has been shown this week. One man fires a charge that gives a bang beard all over the town, another gives the master of a vessel a start as by an earthquake. That sort of thing will never do.

Aeteu a good deal of see-sawing the Harbor Board have at least got it fixed that a new tug shall be got, and a paddle tug. The contest paddle v. twin screw which raged at the two previous meetings of the board, was apparently settled yesterday by the expert report sent in by the gentlemen connected with the Union Company. Mr Gray fought valiantly for the now despised Titan and we are somewhat inclined to think the old boat is not nearly so black as she is painted. Still, as the harbor will be more difficult to work when the entrance is narrowed, a more powerful tug will be required to ensures the safe entrance of a large vessel in very bad weather. On the other hand it is doubtful whether a large vessel would want to pass through the entrance either way, in bad sea weather. If inside they would prefer to stay there; if outside, they would prefer sea room. But while the board are about it, it is wise to go in for a really powerful boat. We regret however that they did not g've colonial builders a chance of competing for the construction of the tug. It is well within the capacity of some Dunedin firms to turn out the hull and fittings of such a vessel as is required, and engines could easily be got from Home. Captain Woollcombe very properly insisted on this view, and was warmly supported by Mr Flatman, but the majority were against them. The board demand that the whole world shall have confidence in their port; they ought to have shown some confidence in their neighbors enough at all events to have given them a chance of competing for the contract. It is by local industries that the board exists, and it ought to have considered the claims of local industries, and the keeping of money in the country.