SIR JOHN COODE AND THE TIMARU HARBORWORKS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 1763, 25 June 1877, Page 8

SIR JOHN COODE AND THE TIMARU HARBORWORKS.

[From the Timartt Hbhald, June 2g.]. Sir John Coode's letter to the Timaru Harbor Board, which we publish elsewhere this morning, is not so satisfactory as might have been wished. The terms m which Sir John's Report was couched certainly conveyed the impression that he himself was prepared to carry out the works which he projocted, for the amount which he estimated they would cost. We think, therefore, that the Harbor Board were full}' justified m asking him if he would enter on the undertaking, and m waiting until they should receive an explicit answer from him. There are, we know, those who consider that, m taking this course, the Board lost much valuable time, without really having much hope of gaining their desired object. These will, no doubt, deem their opinions entirely confirmed bj Sir John Coode's letter, and will be disposed more than ever to blame the Board for attempting to negotiate with him. Impatient as every one must naturally he who has the interest of this totvn and district at heart, to see the harbor works begun, it is not at all a matter of surprise that this feeling should be pretty general. When, however, it is considered what a great advantage it would have been to obtain Sir John Coode's guarantee for the construction of the works at the price nnmed m his Report, we do not think that the time spent m communicating with him can be regarded as thrown away. The greatest obstacle to any progress with harbor works at Timaru, is the clause m the Harbor Board Aot which gives to a Government Commission a veto on any plan proposed. Sir John Coode's plan, we know, is not favorably regarded by those who would almost certiiinly be of paramount influence m any Commission that the Government might appoint. If, however, Sir John Coode had undertaken to carry out his plans himself, he would have virtually staked his reputation on their success: and would necessarily have been brought face to face with those whom the Government should select us his critics. " Fools rush m where angels tear to tread "; Mr Carruthers and his subordinates have, we admit, again and again plunged recklessly into matters which real engineers would have approached with the utmost caution, and which experience has shown they knew nothing whatever about. We doubt, though, whether even they would hnve ventured any longer to maintain theirignorant and prejudiced opposition to the scheme of harbor works at Timaru, if Sir John Coode bad said, " This is my plan, and this is my estimate ; and I am willing to take the responsibility of constructing the work for the sum I have nam d."

That, however, is now past hoping 1 for, and it is for the Harbor Board to consider what is the best course for them to pursue under existing circumstances. Sir John Coode suggests two courses to them. One* is to construct the works through contractors under his own supervision. The other is to

employ some other engineer, who will [ also undertake the contract. It is not for u» to dictate to the Harbor Board, but we ilo not tl.ink there can be a question as to which of these two courses is the more advisable. If we are to adopt Sir John Coode's plan nt aIL let us adhere to Sir John Coode as far as we possibly can. We are strongly of opinion that there are local contractors both willing and able to do the whole of the work specified m Sir John Coode's plan, m a thoroughly efficient manner, for a sum certainly not m excess of that named by him. The experience of railway construction m New Zealand certainly teaches that we need not go abroad for contractors for work* of the greatest magnitude. The sec•ioi:s of railway made by Mr E. G. Wright and Messrs Allan and Stumbles, are to say the very least, quite equal m every respect to those contracted for by Broaden, and Co. at a much greater cost ; aud we fail to understand why artificers who have been so eminently successful m ona branch of construction, should not be equally so m another. We have reason to believe, also, that : lie contractors who constructed the flrs completed portion of the Oamaru breakwater m so excellent a manner, are prepared to make proposals for constructing similar works here. Our opinion, therefore, decidedly is that the Harbor Board would do wisely to secure Sir John Coode's services as engineer for the works, and to leare their mere construction to competition by local contractors. Before tenders can be called for, however, or any pructical step taken m this direction, it will be necessary that working plans and detailed specifications should be obtained from Sir John Coode. It seems to us to have been a ureat oversight on the part of ihe Board, that they did not send for these by the rerv first mail after they came into office. Had they done so, they might have been able by this time to put Sir John Coode's estimate of cost to a final test; and they might very probably have ascertained that the financial difficulties of currying out the scheme are not nearly so great Pj had been supposed. Certainly now, the sooner this is done the better. We hope that at their next meeting the Board will take prompt action m regard to all these matters ; and will not allow a moment more than is necessary to elapse before deciding on the best measures to be adopted for putting the construction of the harbor work m train. There is, indeed, some talk of a general Harbor Works Bill beint; introduced by the Government next session ; but we earnestly trust that til* Board will not wait for or depend upon any such shadowy vision as tbat. We are certain that if the Timaru Harbor Board Act had been introduced on an independent basis last yeav, without any reference to the action of the Government, it would have passed m its entirety. A reliance on vague promises of a general measure, deluded its supporters into a disadvantageous position, and the loss of iho endowment and borrowing clauses, and infinite

delay and difficulty were the results. If the Boani display energy, firmness, and something like enterprise, at the present juncture, we have not the slightest doubt that they will shortly succeed m getting the breakwater begun.

[From the Timabu Heeald, June 23.] Referring to our remarks of yesterday regarding Sir John Coode's letter to the Timarn Harbor Board, we venture to make a suggestion which we believe will meet with general approval. Sir John Coode says that he will net, as it were, undertake to tender for the construction of the Breakwater at the sum named m his Report ; but that, if the Board choose to obtain a contract for it, he is willing, as Engineer, to •upervise the carrying out of the works. There cannot, we suppose, be any doubt that there are plenty of thoroughly efficient and substantial men both willing and able to undertake the contract on the spot. Why then should the Harbor Board delay any further as to the engineering part ot the business ? We should think they could ; not do better than to telegraph at once to Sir John Coode to send out an Engineer m whom he has confidence, furnished with all the necessary working plpns and detailed specifications. On the arrival of this gentleman, tenders could be immediately called for and the plans, if ntcossary, submitted to a Government Commission. A competent En gineer being on the spot, t oroughly versed m all the particulars of Sir John Coode's proposals, and fully acquainted with all facts connected with similar works elsewhere, there would be every possible likelihood of the Commission approving of the plans ; and the contract could then be immediately proceeded with. If this course is not taken, but if on the contrary a long and aimless correspondence is entered into, we fear that the prospects of the Breakwater Scheme will sadly dwindle, and those who now have it thoroughly at heart will begin to despair of its ever being accomplished.