The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 1897.

Timaru Herald, Volume LX, Issue 2303, 25 January 1897, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 1897.

The public have heard a good deal about the shingle question lately, and will probably hear a good deal more about it before the Harbour Board election takes place. Mr, i Evans has credited us with writing m support of tboße whom he calls i the shingle-shifters, although since j Mr Maxwell sent m his first report we have assumed that his advice would be followed. As to our opinion on the main question, we have simply remained neutral, holding, as we always have, that whatever is done must be done under professional advice. It is not inconsistent with that attitude that on one occasion we pointed out how disastrous it would be if Mr Maxwell's theory as to the passage of the shingle to the northward proved to be erroneous. This morning we publish a letter from Mr Pmrry, who says, amongst other things, that people deny the accumulation of large quantities of 'shingle on the northern beaches. As far as our recollection serves us, Mr Parry is m error, on that point. We have heard of no such denial on the part io£ those who say that the shingle has not yet passed the end of the breakwater. Such a denial would be manifestly absurd, because the shingle is there m quantity, extending over lengthened areas that at one time were entirely .denuded owing to the breakwater obstructing the passage of the southern drift. What is alleged is that these later northern accumulations did not come from south of the breakwater, but were dug up by the action of the waves from* the sea-bed to the north. Those who make this assertion do so on the ground that the shingle to the south of the breakwater and the shingle of which the present northern accumulations are composed do not show the same characteristics. If that be so, they must have different sources, and those who contend that the shingle is going round the breakwater are deprived of their thief, and perhaps we may say their only, argument. We don't wish to be misunderstood on this point. We offer no opinion as to whether or not the northern deposits are composed of the shingle drifted past the entrance of the harbour. We are merely stating what the opponents of Mr Maxwell's theory assert. But amongst those who make the assertion are some very intelligent people possessed of a good deal of geological knowledge. They maintain their view strongly and persistently, and, bearing m mind the very grave issues at stake, we must say that we think the Harbour Board have shown great remissneßS m not

endeavouring to ascertain beyond doubt whether these objectors to Mr Maxwell's theory are right or wrong. It is not a question for engineers, and it is not a question for ordinary observers. It is a point which should be decided by geological experts, and should not be mixed up with any other question whatever. If they came to the conclusion that the two deposits — the northern and the southern — were m all respects identical m character, it would greatly strengthen the hands of those who believe that Mr Maxwell's views are correct.