£.—9

34

Training Sheeting, and Planting. Mr. Thomson has alluded to a constant stream of sand being carried into the river from the sandhills during westerly winds, which might be prevented by planting. I would recommend that this should be done at the proper season, with seeds of the Arundo arenaria, or some other species of bentgrass adapted to the climate, and suitable for the purpose. I have considered it desirable to provide in the design for the construction of two rows of halftide training sheeting, one on either side of the river, commencing on the right bank at the point H, and terminating at J", being a length of 1,480 feet. An opening of 100 feet in width would be formed between the ends of the sheeting and guide pier, through which the tidal water at the rear of the former, when below its level, may readily pass. On the left bank the training sheeting would commence at the point X, and be carried downwards to L (being a length of 870 feet), parallel to the training work on the right bank so as to form a low-water channel of 200 feet, which is the proper width. FromX seawards the eastern foreshore would form a natural training bank, rendering an artificial face unnecessary. New Channel to he Dredged. The foregoing works are those which maybe described as strictly appertaining to the improvement of the entrance. Closely following, however, upon the increased navigable depth in the outfall, the necessity would arise for an equivalent increase of depth in the river, hence I have stated in estimate, item No. 8, the cost of dredging a channel from the sea to the town, so as to give a depth of 8 feet at low water, equal to at least 14 feet at high water of spring tides, which would suffice for the full utilization, for navigation purposes, of the high-water depth of about 10 feet in the entrance, when the works are carried to the extent contemplated by the red tint on the drawing. New Wharf. At the river end of Essex Street, as marked on the plan, near the existing short jetty on the right bank of the river, I propose to form a wharf of 300 feet in length, of open timber piling, adapted for the berthage of vessels along cither face, with their heads pointing up-stream. I have also dotted an extension of this wharf, which might be undertaken hereafter. Along this concave site the maintenance of deep water might be depended upon, and the space between the wharf and the shore could be filled so as to form warehouse plots and standage spaces, although this could only be done at a sacrifice of the 'berthage along the inner face. Swinging-Basin. Abreast of the extension of this wharf I have indicated a site for a swinging-basin, which should be dredged to the full depth in the channel, so that vessels might here be enabled to turn, preparatory to going to sea. Alternative position for Wharf. Along the left bank of the river, and below the bridge, I have dotted an alternative position for the wharf, together with an approach from the main road to Wellington, and a bridge crossing the small kloof; along this line also the deep water would be self-maintaining. It will be for the authorities to determine on which of the two sites the wharf should be constructed in the first instance; the cost will be practically the same in either case. jEstimates. I estimate the cost of the works hereinbefore recommended as follows, viz.:— For the construction of the piers, and training sheeting necessary for the formation of a depth in the entrance of 8 feet at low water, and at least 14 feet at high water, of spring tides : —■ £ No. 1. East pier, from A to B on Drawing No. 1, with root and depot ... ... 47,370 No. 2. West pier, including root and depot from the shore to point D ... ... 80,790 No. 3. Guide pier from JE 1 to Q, with embankment to form wave-basin ... ... 6,030 No. 4. Half-tide training sheeting from Hto J, on the right bank of the river, and from Kto ion the left bank ... ... ... ... ... ... . 10,600 Total cost for the above described works completed to the points marked Dan&B ... ... ... ... ... £144,790 For the prolongation of the east and west piers to the extent requisite to afford a depth of 10 feet at low water and at least 16 feet at high water of spring tides: — No. 5. Prolongation of east pier from B to 0 on Drawing No. 1 ... ... ... 17,120 No. 6. Prolongation of west pier from D to H on Drawing No. 1 ... ... 35,380 Total cost of works recommended in connection with the improvement of the entrance ... ... ... ... ... £197.290 £ ™ No. 7. Forming a wharf with approach to same, at Carlyle, as shown on Drawing No. 1 ... 8,450 No. 8. Dredging a navigable channel of not less than 8 feet at low water and 14 feet at high water, between the proposed wharf and the sea, including the purchase of the requisite dredging plant ... ... ... ... ... ... 30,200 The above estimates include a sufficient margin to cover contingencies, and all charges connected with the execution of the works. They have been arrived at by adopting the rates received from the colony (as far as they were applicable) and applying them to the quantities of work of different classes, calculated from detail drawings, the essential portions of which are shown on the accompanying Drawing No. 2. The amounts named will doubtless appear high : but when it is considered that the local rates, so far as regards labour, are more than double those which prevail in England, and also that