IL— 2a.

TIMARU HARBOUR WORKS.

(FURTHER REPORT OF THE COLONIAL MARINE ENGINEER AS TO THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY BUILDING A BREAKWATER AT TIMARU, AND THE FURTHER DAMAGE THAT MAY ACCRUE THEREFROM.) [In continuation of Paper B.-2.]

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. The Colonial Marine Engineer to the Hon. the Minister having Charge of the Marine Department. Memorandum re Timaru Harbour Works. Public Works Office, Wellington, 19th August, 1880. I reported on the Timaru Harbour works on the 2nd February last, and described the nature of the damage suffered by the coast to the north of these works, and the consequent necessity for protective works to insure the safety of the railway-line. I also recommended that the further execution of the harbour works should be stopped. No action was taken in the latter direction; but a copy of the report was sent to the Timaru Harbour Board, in order that they might make such remarks and observations on it as the case might demand. The Chairman of the Harbour Board accordingly sent a reply, dated the 10th June, remarking on such portions of the report as demanded notice, and enclosing notes of evidence taken by the Board ; as also a report on the subject by the Board's engineer. On this reply I was invited to report; but, before doing so, sent a copy of it to Mr. J. H. Lowe, Engineer for Working Railways, Middle Island, in order that he might be allowed to make his remarks on it, and also that he might furnish, in support of my first report, such additional evidence as ho might have collected since his former reports on the subject. Mr. Lowe has collected additional evidence (which I felt sure would be forthcoming), showing that the work of destruction is still going on, and at such a rate as can leave no doubt on the mind of an impartial observer that the cause of it is what I before insisted on—the stoppage of the flow of shingle by the breakwater, the coast being thus deprived of its natural protection. Mr. Lowe's report, which is simply a record of observed facts, substantiated by actual and careful measurements, will obviate the necessity of my replying in detail to the numerous objections to my last report made by the Board and those gentlemen whose evidence they have incorporated in their reply. I shall therefore simply remark that I consider the additional evidence now submitted fully confirms the position I took up in my last report; and the position of affairs may be fairly stated as follows, namely : — The railway was opened for traffic between Timaru and Temuka on 26th October, 1875. From that time until September, 1878, when the breakwater was commenced, there was no expense incurred in protecting the viaducts and the shore to the north of it. Since then, and notably since the gales in June, 1879, an expenditure of £2,700 has been incurred for protective works at and near Whale's Creek ; and later, at the end of July, the inroads of the sea became so rapid that the second viaduct was in danger, and an application was made for a further sum of £1,000, the most of which has also been expended ; and further demands will doubtless be made before long. The cliffs at and near these viaducts are certainly being destroyed at a rate far beyond that of which any evidence has yet been given as relating to previous years. The shingle-beach across the Waimataitai Lagoon is steadily and surely being lessened in width at a rate that can be measured {e.g., 20,000 cubic yards in three months), and which must lead to the result before predicted. The changes in the shore-line at the cliffs and the shingle-beach are well shown in the plan attached to Mr. Lowe's report. The shingle is gradually and certainly gathering to the south of the breakwater, necessitating the removal seaward of the southern landing-service; a process which, doubtless, will have to be repeated I—E. 2a.

1880. NEW ZEALAND.