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Sess. 11.—1891. NEW ZEALAND.

TIMARU HARBOUR (REPORTS AND DISCUSSION THEREON). PARTLY EXTRACTS FROM THE TIMARU HERALD OF 4th APRIL, 1891.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of Ilia Excellency.

A special meeting of the Harbour Board was held on the 3rd April 1891, to receive the reports of the Commissioners —Messrs. C. Y. O'Connor and J. Goodall—appointed to examine into the shingle question, and make recommendations for dealing with it. The letter appointing Commissioners to inquire into question is as follows : — Gentlemen,— Harbour Board Office, Timaru, 21st March, 1891. I have the honour, by direction, to advise you that the Timaru Harbour Board being of opinion that some danger exists to the harbour from travelling shingle, you are hereby appointed a Commission to inquire, examine, and report upon the subject. To state whether the danger can best be averted by the erection of permanent works or by the removal of the shingle. The Commission to have full scope to make any suggestions or recommendations they may deem advisable. To have the use of all surveys, plans, &c, the property of the Board, and the Board's engineer's services will be placed at the disposal of the Commission. The Commission to report jointly or separately, as they may mutually agree. I have, &c, W. J. Tennent, Messrs. C. Y. O'Connor and John Goodall, Ms.lnst.C.E. Secretary. The reports, which were read by the Secretary, Mr. Tennent, were as follows : — TIMABTJ HaEBOUB-WOEKS. Report of Commissioners. FN.B. —This is signed by Mr. O'Connor only, Mr. Goodall sending in separate memorandum.] Timaru, 2nd April, 1891. g IE __ Be Timaru Harbour-works. In compliance with request contained in your letter of 21st ultimo, I have the honour to enclose herewith a report on the matter therein defined, which I drafted for signature of Mr. Goodall and myself, and which I have now signed as fully expressing my views on the subject. Though written in the plural number, however, this report cannot be taken as entirely concurred in by Mr. Goodall, who proposes sending you a separate memorandum indicating the points in which he disagrees. It should therefore be taken, in its entirety, as expressing simply my own views on the subject. My only reason for retaining the plural number in the report is, that many of the views therein expressed, are the joint production of Mr. Goodall and myself, and also of Mr. Marchant in conjunction with u. both, and I could not therefore properly lay claim to them as original conceptions fo my own. I have, &c, The Chairman, Timaru Harbour Board. C. Y. O'Connok, M. Inst. C.E.

Timaru, 2nd April, 1891. Sie ( Be Timaru Harbour-works. Having carefully studied the questions referred to us in your letter of the 21st ultimo, we have the honour to report as follows : — I—D. 4.