NELSON HARBOR BOARD.

Colonist, Volume XLVII, Issue 11433, 12 September 1905, Page 3

NELS ON HARBOR BOARD.

__J_._-.wVil mri_ii#W-i «^w#-iib_>« The monthly meeting of the abovenamed Board was held yesterday] when there were present: Messrs F" Trask, W. Coleman, Franklyn, Hounsell, Talbot, A. Bisley, McKenzie, Hanby, P. Best and John ( Graham (chairman). ' The minutes were confirmed. ! The Chairman^ said their credit ; at the Bank was £3,397, fixed de- 1 posits £9,o9B— total funds, £12,495. j The revenue for the last month wasj £194 7s lOd, the monthly average being £212 lis lOd. Correspondence was read and considered. | MrJ. IT. Finney wrote, thanking the Board for their kind expression j of sympathy, and the references' which had "been made to his late] father at the Board's last meeting, j An explanation was received from I the Treasury regarding the sum of} £24 17s sd, which the Board had been asked to refund to the Bailway Department. Eesolved to refund t the sum stated. j Payments were authorised amounting to' £1,444 13s lOd, of which I £313 lis 2d was for wages. j ENGINEER'S REPORT. Mr Barrowman's report waa read, as follows -. — I "Nelson Harbor Board, Sept. 4th, j 1905. "The Chairman,— j "Sir, — The work'of the laet month j may be considered as fairly satisfac- 1 tory, when we consider the frequency of 'stormy weather we had to work.' in. While the progress of the cue through the bank increases the fore« of the currents passing amongst the punts of the pip 9 line, by which, on the night of the 16th, when an extra high tide rose, so increased the run that two of the punts were overturned, bnt were rishted again by the afternoon of the 17th. To guard against a recurrence of this, two of the spare punts are now moored to ithe punts in the line most exposed to the currents, which proves tobe 'very effective. ; "The amount of stone put in the wall during the month was 1972 tons, which extended it to 9 chains 5 feet, or 599 feet, leaving 31 feet to complete the wall to its authorised length. The length of wall made during the month was 36 feet, consuming 54.8 tons per foot of wfill made in the time. "In view of the fact that tbe Board has not yet deliberated on the advice given by the Consulting Engineer, as to the future conduct and nature of the works to be proceeded with, and to afford members a more intimate knowledge of tho matters involved in that advice, I have made somß notes of the wall now drawing to a finish, which nntes I have shown to Mr Bisley, and at whose suggestion tbey now appear h9re. "The total stone in the wall to the end of July last was 16,054 tons, consising of 8809 tons of 12in stone at 8s per ton, and 7215 tons of threeton stone at lis 7d per ton, making an average cost of the whole of 9s 9d per ton, or a total cf £7826. The cost of lifting and hauling the stone from the scows to its place in the wall I find to be about ls 6d per ton. That covers a fair percentage of the cost of the plant, consisting of crane trucks, rails, coal, oil, and wages. On which basis the cost of stone in the wall is lis 3d per ton, making the cost of the wall to the above date £9030. Extending these rates to the unfinished length of wall, the total cosfc will ba £11,250. That makes a rata of cost of £17 17s o^d per foot in length. "Now, the extension of the north wall as advised by Mr Maichant, i from the Boulder Bank at the north I side of the cut, running cut to a point covering the outer end of the south wall^ in a due north direction, would entail a length of wall of 1500 feet, costing, at least, £26,775. While a wall started from a point twelve chains further north on the Bank would reach the came covering point with a length of 100 feet, costing £17,850. This latter wall would se've the nurposo of a shelter, and alao form a wavetrap inside, if such were needed ; but Mr Marchant did noe favor the latter wall when I suggested it as an alternative. "However, considering cost; of either of the above walls, and the purpose to be served, I do not think it would be worth one quarter of th»

money. The avowed purpose, t shelter the channel and south wai from northerly storms, which are by the way, nofc very frequently of i ebaracter to interfere with Steamer entering or leaving the harbor, an. 6ven if the intensity of such storm* occurring three or four times in _ year rendering the pasasge unworkable for a few houra the coinparativ* comfort and security of the anchorage muat necessarily lessen oui anxiety on such occasions, if evei they occur. " But there is another side to th€ question. We have even more frequently, and stronger windstorms from the southward, and though these winds do not carry with them heavy seas, yet during such winds a north wall would add to the danger of entering or leaving, for shipping would have to deal with two walls instead of one, and get between them the best they could, and the dismaying influence of a "rocky headland" to a navigator would bn doubled and complicated by having such headlands o<) each side of him ; besides tbe lengthening of the neck of she entrance by walls on each side, is ob- : jectionble where they serve no other purpose. A north mole, no doubt, as a protection to the north eide of the cut at the entrance, will be a necessity when we arrive at than stage of tbe work, but not of the character or extent of a sea-wall, or breakwater, as bas been proposed. "The useful purpose of the southern wall has been questioned by Mr Marchant, which brings me to a statement in its defence. In the first place it was an important item

in the design of Mr Reynolds', and authorised by the Goveicor-in-Council. And though Mr Williams had retired from his connection with these works before the approach or bank was formed to permit a stari^ the, stall, >yrt he was consenting tj the^ommencement of the constructive works there, and when I took charge I had no hesitation in starting the south wall before any other work of its kind, because of its importance in the general scheme. It trains the tidal flow both in and out the harbor, and its concavity causes the currents to lean to it, whereas the convex side of the north wall could serve no such purpose, indeed one can hardly conceive of a workable channel without the southern wall. No definite channel could have been maintained. The currents flowing out of the harbor would have spread out like a fan with no determinate course, and would have assumed much of tbe condition of the old channel, minus its rocks. "I may even state hero that, so important is the south^ wall in my judgment, as a guiding influence to j tidal currents, that I bad somej intention of asking for authority to J extend that wall a hundred feefc further out, so that the curve would lead its end round more in line with the course of shipping. But under tho present circumstances it would bejnterpreted as wilful opposition to Mr Merchant's advice, and so I leave the matter with the mere mention of fact. "There is a good deal of misapprehension about" the effect of waves rolling it.to the channel from the north, and this is urged as a reason for the construction of the north wall, for the protection of the dredge 'as well as protection of the entrance for the shipping, which nm' 1 "fe&fcs a lack of knowledge of tho future of waves and their behaviour in a running stream. When a wave rolls into a stream running in the same direction, the wave becomes dissolved by the current carrying away the foot of tho wave. But on the other hand when waves meet a stream its effect is to trip the wave, cuttng off the progress and destroying their form, when their energy and that of the stream is resolved into irregular dancing, jumping waters, commonly called a rip. Now these phenomena genorally take place outside here the waves and the stream come first into contact, during either flood or ebb tides, and the only time we are likely to be troubled with waves ie during the period of high water, when the harbor has completely filled and the ebb has not jet began. This period may last from five to twenty minutes, when every inch of the harbor has been filled ; which in passing I may say is a proof fatal to the idea of a throttling entrance, aa evidently no water has been kept back. There is also the period of low water, but that is not so likely to carry waves. However, our trouble is not the waves, but the stream of the tidal flow, both in and out, and no walling 2au help that unless we walled across the entrance. "Something has been said against the south wall being on the lee side of the entrance without shelter, bufc if the Board affords me the opportunity I shall be able to demonstrate by the example of very high authority that thafc is even a desirable condition, "As your Eogineer-in-charge, nothing appears to me to have evolved from Mr Marcaant's visit and advice calling for change of method, policy or purpose in our prosecution of these harbor works from our present aim, namely, to get the two hundred feet cue through the Boulder Bank ; then run a cut through the obstiuc(tive mud bank in the harbor to lead direct the tidal current in i scouring a channel there. Then we j shall be able to put tbe new entrance ' into use,even with the limited width lof two hundred feet; and from information received from the Harbor Master, that opening will not be too soon. Then we can dredge out the hundred and fifty feet bench now being left on the south side. _ The south wall in the meantime will be completed to the authorised length, when I propose to stock a lot _oi stone for probably required repairs on the south wall, and to provide for facing and protecting the north side of the channel. The opened entrance at the limited width wil) in due time demonstrate by practical use whether it would bs necessary oi advisable to cut out tbe hundred and fity feet bench, left on the north side, and the north wall can be made to such dimensions as is found necessary. This appears to me from an engineering and practical point of view, with special advantages of watching and judging of every phase, to be the most reasonable method of procedure; besides I presume tv think it will fit in best with the ■ financial aspects of the case. "An appologist makes Mr Reynold! obserrant of a fall of 18 inches from the outside to the inside of the harbor, from which the natural effect is a violent current, and for which contigency, the pity is, the floating plant did not provide against by being^dished or bevelled when being designed, so as to ride the currents with much greater safety. Hence, we, that have to put such plant into use have to bear the brunt of public comment when an accident overtakes us arising from such oversight. "In conclusion let me remark that, though Mr Marchant's visit has re-awakened the critics, we must not forget that when the Almighty contrived and constructed the universe the devil was the first critic, and there never has since been any constructive works of any note that has net had its full quotum of such critics. "What I have said in a previous report about the modification of the entrance width is quite unaffected by anything aaid to the contrary since, and 1 merely mention it here as it should nofc be lost sight of. "Yours obediently, "JOHN BARROWMAN, "Eugineer-in-Oharge." (Consideration delayed till later on.) § §1$ _.The Dredgemaster repprted that during August he had eighteen days' dredging, which had been done on the north side of the channel. The channel cut was now two hundred feefc wide up to within five chains from end of south mole. Every spring tide a big scour is taking place, the whole width of the channel. On the night of Augustl 16th, two of the flotation punts capsized through the strong tides, the only damage done was a ball joint got broken through being locked. The punts were righted, and the pipes coupled by the following evening. To prevent anything happening again, another punt has been mored alongside to act as an outrigger, until a proper one is made. At night the dredge is moored on the north side of the channel, well back from the face, and the pipes uncoupled. If the flotation punts had been bevelled, or dished, they would ride over the current, their square end-s catching a lot of water. During the enforced stoppages the men are kept fully employed with internal repairs. So far, had not experienced any danger during gales, the waves, as they get into the deep water of the channel, get smothered before they reach the *'dredge. At present he was able fto have the dredge and plant safely moored and out of danger in half an hour. He also Te«

ported that the" material dredged continues very fine, in "some, places all sand, with. a little shingle. ;SS^ On the motion at Mr Trask, [seconded by Mr Hanby, "^Wt^tm^ was adopted. Tne Harbormaster, in his report, stated "the soundings taken outside on the Bar during August show no material difference since the previous mouth, there being no heavy sea to cause an/ disturbance." Tho report was adopted. Resolved to obtain a good barometer for the works. A leter was read from Messrs Langlands and Co., offering to purchase one thousand acres ot the mudflats for £3000, and to spend £7000 in reclamation works, if they could secure a lease for twenty-one years of a larger area of the flat. They were williDg to deposit one thousand pounds. Mr McKenzie pointed out the Board could not sell any portioo of its endowments. "Mr Hanby said this was the first definite offer made for reclamation work, which was one of the greatest functions of the Board. He hoped it would not be shelved, and would receive due consideration. _ He moved ifc be referred to a Committee. Mr McKenzie seconded the motion pro forma. He pointed out that to sell any portion of their endowments an Act of Parliament would be _ required, which he did not believe they would get. Mr Coleman thought tenders should be called, and open competition given in the matter of reclamation work, Mr Trask agreed with Mr Mc,Kenzie's remarks. He thought the Board, as a whole, should consider the offer in Committee. Mr Hanby altered his motion, that the Board, in Committee, at its nest monthly "meeting, consider Messrs Langlands' offer. Carried unanimously. The Chairman drew attention to a statement which had appe&red in^ai letter in one of the newspapers' to the effect the money had been frittered away "until further legislation is found necessary to enable the Board to borrow further." He said that was not true. Authorisation had been sought to enable them to pay a higher rate of interest for the balance cf the £65,000, and not to borrow more money. He wouid not have noticed the matter, only such a statement was misleading to the public. MR MARCHANT'STJEPORT. " Mr Trask moved the following resolution:— "That in view of the rapid closing of the existing means of ingress and egreßs to and from the port, the Resident Engineer be directed to expedite the utilisation of the new channel in the manner recommended by him, and approved by the Board in March last.'" The speaker pointed to the fact that they had had seven engineers, all of whom differed as to details, but; agreed as to the main issue. The work of cutting the channel was going on well, and approaching completion, and he thought the most businesslike course to pursue would be to go on with^the "present mole, and got the'cbannel open. According to Mr Marchant, there were only 12 bad days out of the 365, and surely, for the. sake of such a few days of bad weather, it, would be unwise to spend over £26,t)00 in erecting the north mole. The anchorage outside was good, and vessels could wait outside on the bad dnys until the water was smooth enough for them to enter. He was willing to have the north mole constructed if it was found that it was required. Two shipmasters had told him that two parallel walls at the entrance would create a danger. He instanced Taranaki and Napier harbors as having only one wall. They had only £19,000 of the sanctioned loaD to go and come upon, and the north mole if constructed according to Mr Marahanfs report; would cost over £26,000. He urged getting the channel opened first, and when the ratepayers saw the utility of the channel they would be more willing to sanction further borrowing if needed. i Mr Hanby sceonded the motion. He strongly advocated proceeding 1 with the present works. They were 1 perfectly within their rights to do 1 so, there being no deviation of the 1 scheme approved of by the Government. Mr Marchant had gone outside his order of reference, and had practically proposed a new scheme. ! If they went on immediately with building the north mole it would mean a suspension of the works in i a short time for want of funds. He felt sure the ratepayers would net , sanction a further loan until the ' new cut's utility had been demonstrated. Whatever Nature required to be done would have to be dono, but no doubt a shorter north mole only would be required. He urged getting the channel open as speedily as possible, and not to let anything stand in the way of that realisation. Mr Talbot the resolution, as he consideredaifc % erring in the interests of Nelson. If a sufficient width of the channel was open so aa to allow vessels to enter and leave at any state of the tide, he was confident "they could get another loan if ifc was required. Mr Hounsell moved as anl amendment: "That the Engineer make preparations forthwith to proceed with the construction of the north mole, according tothe original plans, immediately after the completion of the south mole. 5 He considered the Board had been illicitly carrying on Messrs Rawson atd Williams' scheme, which had been condemned by the Government. Mr Leslie Reynolds had estimated tho cost of the^ north mole at £7000. When the 200 feet cut was complete, a great deal of dredging would have to be done inside beforo the channel would be navigable. There was no good reason for departing from the original pcheme, which included the building ol the north mole. As to the present entrance to the harbor, the amount of water was not much less than it was five years ago. Mr Bisley seconded the amendment. Whilst conceding Mr Barrowman was a very good man, in works of this description they should pay attention to the best intelligence that money could procure, and they could not ignore the reports of such men as Mr Leslie Reynolds, Mr Napier Bell and Mr Marchant. He did not consider the finances a serious obstacle, for he felt sure the ratepayers would grant another loan, and would not leave the works unfinished. He contended tbe works at the present rate of expenditure would not be completed for £65,000; also that the full width of the cut should be maintained. He quoted figures to show more had been made of the shoaling up of the present entrance to the harbor than should have been. In 1851 the depth of water on the bar was 6*^ feet, while to-day it is 4 feet 9 inches. Mr" William Coleman supported tho amendment. The north mole was parfc of the original scheme, it ought to be carried out, and that was the opinion of those whom he represented at that Board. Mr Franklyn supported the amendment. He contended if they spent £10,000 on the north mole they would have sufficient funds fco carry on the necessary dredging. There was only thirty-one feet of the south mole to complete, and aa soon ac that was done tbey should proceed

with the north one, and carry out I the original and approved plan. j 1 Mr. R MoKenzie considered to J carr 1 / out Mr; Marchant'af •'yf ftposa) would commit the 'Boa*&. to "arPßnoiy mous expenditure. Mr Marchanvs report contained a certain amoqnt of condemnation of the. original , schrv-q. The best proposal made to the .Board was that of Messrs Rawson and Williams. He urged the Board to go on with its- present satisfactory work by finishing fche south mole and getting the channel open. Mr Best said the shortness of money would make him vote for the resolution. He believed a north mole would be required|Jto a certain extent, but they could wait until the south mole was completed and the channel opened before undertak iLg the north mole. He thought it was "wise to devote J>hat funds they had to complete the two latter works first. The Chairman noted that those who had advocated getting a report from Mr Marchant had dropped that gentlman's report, as evidenced by the amendment moved. He referred to the great difficulty there was in securing any legislation necessary for such wortss, and the anxiety to those piloting a bill through Parliament. He said the engineers knew the works would never be completed in their entirety for £65,000. He pointed out that if Mr Marchant's leport faadgbeen adopted they would have been pledged to spend £26,750 on fche north mole; also that there was only £5000 more of the A.M.P. ioan to draw. He referred to the practical experience of Mr Barrowman, and to the fact that the works as being carried out, had the approval of the Engineer-in-Chief. He asserted no one had suggested that there should be no north mole. He urged unity of action in carrying on the works as at present; disregard of carping criticism; and the careful fostering of the funds, in order to get the channel open and navigable for the £65,000, which was authorised, and thus keep faith ( with the ratepayers. Mr Trask said there was evidently a misunderstanding. It was never intended not to go on wifch the north mole if it was required. The old members of the Board knew all fche time tbe works could not be completed for £65,000, and when the Bill was first drafted it was suggested to give power to borrow £100,000. When the south mole was completed and the channel opened, then they would be in a better position to know what further money would need to be borrowed. On a division, Mr Hounsell's amendment was lost by six to four. Ayes: Messrs Hounsell, Bisley, Franklyn and Coleman. Noes: Messrs McKenzie, Best,Hanby, Trask, Talbot and the Chairman. Mr Trask's motion was then put and carried. Mr Hanby obtained leave to withdraw the notices of motions stand(ing in his name. Resolved that Mr Marchant's report lie on the table. The Board then adjourned. __— — — — ■^*^— *^ a^— m ****'^