19

E.—9

Second Instalment — £ Extension of east pier for a further length of 400 feet, making, with the first instalment, 800 feet beyond the present termination, including concrete head ... ... 23,266 Extension of west pier a further distance of 400 feet, including concrete head ... 21,617 44,883 Further deepening entrance-channel to 12 feet below low water of spring tides ... 4,638 Total second instalment... ... ... ... ... £49,521 Gross estimate for the two instalments of pier extensions, with deepening of entrance channel to the full extent described on plan ... ... £90,764 The foregoing estimates include a fair allowance for contingencies and supervision, and for the upkeep of plant. No sum has been put down for the hire of a dredger, but only for the working charges of the machine. It will be observed that the sum I have named for the extension of the east pier is considerably in excess of the estimate for this work given by Mr. Weber in his report of 25th March, 1879—namely, £12,000, or £30 per foot lineal of pier, whereas my estimate is £18,813 or £47 per foot lineal. The extra thickness of the sheeting and the additional height of the work, which I consider to be absolutely necessary, will mainly account for this difference. The estimate is based on the rates for labour and materials furnished by Mr. Weber in the memorandum prepared for my information. Bridge across the Harbour. With regard to the suggested bridge across the harbour, from West Quay on the south-east side to the intended Mcanee Quay on the north-west, I have to state that, provided one opening span were formed over the deep-water channel near the centre, there would be no objection to such a structure as far as navigation is concerned. Seeing, however, that the proposed bridge is nearly half a mile in length, the cost would be so heavy that its construction would not, in my opinion, be justified in the present circumstances of the district. Conclusion. I must not conclude this report without expressing my obligations to Mr. Kinross, the Chairman, and Mr. John Alexander Smith, one of the members of the Napier Harbour Board, both of whom greatly facilitated my inquiries whilst in the locality. My thanks are also due to Mr. Carruthers, C.E., by whom the works at the entrance executed to this time were designed, and who was good enough to attend during my local examination, as also did Mr. Blackett, C.E., the Marine Engineer of the colony. Mr. C. Weber, Engineer to the Board, has furnished the necessary facts and data in a complete and satisfactory manner; and Mr. Kraeft, the Harbourmaster at the time of my visit, gave me useful information as to the set of tides in the southern part of the bay and at the harbour entrance. I have, &c, The Secretary, Marine Department, Wellington. John Coode.

NEW RIVER (INVERCARGILL). Sic, — 5, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., August, 1879. I have now the honor to submit my report on the improvement of the navigation near the town of Invercargill, at the head of the New Elver Estuary, and about 9 miles from the sea. Being the point of junction between the lines of railway from the north, the east, and the west, Invercargill is obviously destined to become a place of considerable importance. The object sought to be attained in this case is the creation of such an additional depth in the channel leading up to the town jetty as will give 9 feet at low water of spring tides, equivalent to 17§ feet at high-water springs, and 15 feet at high-water neaps. After due consideration of the circumstances of this case, I am of opinion that the object in view will bo best accomplished by the formation of a channel and training bank upon the lines shown in red colour on the accompanying drawing. By reference to this drawing it will bo seen that I propose to form a channel from the upper end of " The Pool," situated about half a mile below the existing jetty, to a point just above the powder magazine, where the new channel would join with the existing river course. As indicated on the drawing, there would be a swinging basin at a short distance above the jetty, where vessels could be turned. From the upper or north end of this swinging basin the bottom of the new channel would be formed, at an inclination of lin 250, until it meets the present river-bed. The channel would, I consider, be sufficiently wide if executed with a bottom width of 100 feet; it could be widened at any future time to 150 feet if found necessary, which, however, is not probable; the depth should not be less than 9 feet at low water of spring tides, as already described. The side slopes would vary according to the nature of the material passed through: slopes of 12 to 1 are allowed for where in mud, 6to lin sand or gravel, and 3tol in clay. I may remark that an allowance is made in the estimate for the scouring away by the currents, during progress, of one-fourth of the quantity of mud shown upon the sections supplied to me from the colony, the dredging of the full quantity of sand, gravel, and clay have, however, been estimated for. I should here remark that owing to a question with respect to the identity of some of the colours on the boring diagrams, and in the absence of written descriptions on the respective bore-holes, there is a doubt as to the level at which the rock exists in two or three cases ; it is therefore desirable before any work is actually commenced, that trials should be made with probing rods or otherwise, along the line of channel, and (although scarcely probable that such will be the case) the line laid down on the