The Western Star. (PUBLISHED BI-WEEKLY.) WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1884.

Western Star, Issue 870, 13 August 1884, Page 2

The Western Star. (PUBLISHED 81-WEEKLY.) WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1884.

A motion moved by Mr J. R. Mills at last meeting of the Harbor Board is deserving of some notice. It was: lhat as it is the opinion of engineers and experts that the depth of water on the bar can at a comparatively small cost be increased several feet by the erection of an inexpensive training wall from the north point of entrance to the river, the Board respectfully request the Government to appoint an engineer to report upon same, aud that the member for the district be asked to use his influence towards inducing the Government to make such appointment. As to the necessity and advantage of such a work there can be no doubt, aud its practicability at a very moderate cost is beyond speculation. The present chann 1, the Harbor Master reports, has not been open for a period of twenty years. It possesses great advantages over the old route, there being more water and the run being straight out from the harbor. It is this fortuitous and eccentric change in the direction of the channel that has doubtless suggested the proposal to make it permanent by the erection of a training wall. Prom the nature of the ground and the short distance to be traversed, the work would cost but a small sum in proportion to the advantages that would thereby be gained to the port. The work is one that the Board, were it in possession of the necessary funds, might well undertake without asking the Government for any engineering assistance, but a favorable report from a competent Government official, apart from saving the Board considerable expense, \vouU inspire confidence in the feasi-

bility of the scheme and the practical benefit that would result therefrom, and if it were deemed advisable to approach Government for some assistance in getting the wort carried out, the chances of success would be greatly enhanced thereby. A training wall would have the effect of concentrating the scour of the tide, which would very soon increase the depth and width of the present channel sufficient to enable vessels to enter the harbor of a size large enough for intercolonial trade, or even for the smaller class of vessels trading to the old country. The matter has such an important bearing upon the welfare of the town and district generally, that, now that the initiative has been taken, it cannot be allowed to drop. The cost of transit to the seabord of all kinds of produce, coal, timber, &c., is so high, and the margin of profit on these articles so small, that any less expensive route for shipment would be readily adopted could such be offered. It is apparent to the most casual observer that the port of Riverton, if it could be made to accommodate suitable vessels, would afford an outlet to intercolonial and other markets for the produce of a large tract of country, at rates much lower than those charged at present. The work is therefore of more than local importance; it is to the interests of the colony as a whole that every facility should be given for the economical and rapid export of its products to foreign markets. The early completion of the railway to Orepuki will beyond doubt open up an extensive traffic in coal, shale, and timber. In anticipation of the large addition to the shipping trade of the port which that traffic will cause the Harbor Board recently entered upon works in the harbor that will entail a total expenditure of close upon £3OOO. The full advantage of that expenditure cannot be felt unless the entrance to the bar is deepened. As already stated, the Board have taken the initiative in this direction, and it is to be hoped their efforts will not be relaxed until they are crowned with success.