SUMNER BAR PLAN MEETS GOVT. DISAPPROVAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17882, 25 June 1926, Page 3

SUMNER BAR PLAN MEETS GOVT. DISAPPROVAL.

(Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, June 24. The Minister of Public Works has submitted to the member for Lyttelton, Mr M’Combs, a memo from the resident engineer at Christchurch regarding the condition of the entrance to the- Estuary. This points out that it is desired to improve the entrance and Colonel Hobday’s scheme is to join up Cave Rock and Beacon Rock with a wall, so that all water will flow on the north side of Beacon Rock. At present, says the report, a large portion of water must flow between Beacon Rock and Cave Rock, as soundings show a depth of 14 feet below low water. The estimated cost of a wall of quarried rock is £13,000. “If this were done there is no definite assurance that an improvement of the bar would result. The mouth of the Estuary would probably increase in width very considerably by eroding the sandbank on the north shore unless some preventive measures were adopted, and the depth of water on the bar may not be affected very muchf’ The depth of water on the bar is four feet at low tide, and the rise and fall is six feet. The crossing of the bar, which is done only by a few fishing launches and occasional pleasure boats, is always a matter of difficulty and requires experienced boatmen, and the desirflf of Colonel Hobday is to make the bar reasonably open for use by members of the Christchurch Power Boat and Sailing Club, but the engineer adds that if the scheme were carried out and proved satisfactory the bar would not be crossed by other than fishing boats and pleasure yachts, therefore he regrets he cannot recommend the adoption of the scheme or that any contribution of Government money be made.