15

1. -6

and the tide now runs further up the river than before. The accumulation at Snag Falls is caused by the tidal waters checking the floods as they come down the river, that is, at the limit of the tide flow. The snags brought down the river, and the shingle thrown up by the tide, raise; a barrier there that causes the river to break its banks, and there is an overflow into another creek called the Orawaite. Leaving that accumulation would be dangerous, because if the river were to follow a now channel, any works at the mouth would be entirely thrown away. I have talked with several engineers on the subiect. I think that it is the most important point in the Buller harbour works that provision should be made to keep a channel clear for the tide, and to let it run up as far as possible, but take care that it does not cause an ■accumulation at its turning-point. At Snag Falls an attempt has been made to build dams to keep the river in check, but Ido not think that will be a permanent success. It would be better to make a good delivery channel. Y'ou might employ the accumulation there to make good the banks, or what would be better, in reclaiming some low ground there. Of course there would be a considerable first expenditure to clear the channel, and it would be necessary to devote an annual sum to keep it clear. I think that would do more good than expenditure in any other way. Of course the expensive works proposed by Sir John Coode are merely to do in a more perfect manner what was done before by the action of the sea and river, in making a pier-head. I think with clearing the falls, you would have the original depth on the bar. 271. Mr. Macandrew] What was the original depth?—They used to have 17 or 18 feet at times. 272. The Chairman] This fall prevents the proper flow of the river ?—Yes ; the accumulation keeps on increasing. 273. Mr. Mecandrew] It would be a continuous work to keep it clear?—Yes; it would be a slight constant expenditure. It would be like the case of the Waimakariri. Many years ago they were going in for a large expenditure for works there when I suggested that they should plant willows and keep constantly pottering at it. That has been done and the continued expenditure has been less than the interest on the proposed expenditure would have been. This case is a similar one, and I think all our New Zealand rivers should be dealt with in a pottering way like that, rather than going in for big expensive works. 274. Then you think if the falls were done away with the natural depth at the mouth would be increased to 17 feet ? —Yes; in time. You could not afford to wait until the natural pier head was again formed. You would have to incur some expenditure for works at the mouth, but I think any expenditure there might be thrown away unless you first did the work at the falls.

Dr. Htttor.

Oth July, 1881

APPENDICES.

No. 1. Memorandum by Mr. Dickson, General Manager.] Westport Coal Trade. Government originally bound this Company down to spend £10,000 in the field, and promised Company a railway carriage rate of 2s per ton to the port. Instead of £10,000 the Company spent £60,000, and in the face of almost insuperable difficulties brought the coal into the market. As soon as the Company had completed the works and brought the coal to market, the Government refused to implement the promise as to rates, and compelled the Company to pay 2s 6d haulage in addition to a royalty of 6d per ton. As a result of this payment, out of every three tons of coal the Company raise, the Government receive one ton. The distance hauled is under 12 miles. The Government seven or eight years ago spent over a quarter of a million of money in constructing a railway seventeen miles in length (with shipping appliances) on which there is not now, and never can any be, traffic save coal. At least five-sixths of the whole coal trade from Westport will be clone from the Company's mines. It will thus be seen that from the excessive loyalties, &c, the Government exact from the Company, and the large amount of public money invested in the Westport Eailway, that the colony is deeply interested in the successful prosecution of the Company's operations. The Company's operations are now being conducted at a profit, but the business done is to a great extent derived from successful competition with other New Zealand colleries. This is in consequence of the harbour bar at Westport not having sufficient depth of water to permit the development of the large export trade otherwise open to the Company and which would absorb the whole of the Company's output. The Company have given the Government ample proof that an export trade of half a million tons from Westport could be reached within two years if the harbour was deepened sufficiently to permit of the free egress of vessels drawing 16ft. to 16ft. 6in. loaded. They have had to decline one contract for Melbourne of 70,000 tons, and to refuse the most pressing invitation to quote for* another Victorian contract of 150,000 tons. Orders have actually been promised in Australia for 250,000 tons per annum as soon as the harbour is deepened as above, while liberal offers of support have been received from Mauritius, China, San Francisco and India. 800,000 tons English coals were imported to India last year, the bulk of which was for gas purposes, and a large portion of which would be taken from Westport.