D.—io.

I would also advise you in connection with the matter of conserving the foreshore and surface at the stop-bank, that there is an adequate supply of stone of suitable size to place this place beyond the reach of danger at the point on Nine-mile Road (indicated on plan attached), which could be connected with the stop-bank by a line of horse-tramway 70 chains in length. The stone would then be available for any purposes of protection, and could be quarried and deposited whenever it seemed necessary to do so. By a yearly expenditure no larger than the present average yearly expenditure for maintenance, the whole of this place could be gradually placed beyond danger, as any work that was done with larger stone would be permanent. The cost of such a tramway would approximately be £400. It might be well, perhaps, to ascertain what sort of terms could be obtained from landholders for a tramway through the sections shown on plan and run trial lines where indicated. I have to report that the present arrangements for maintaining the boundary fencing is not satisfactory. On my visits to this place I continually find cattle inside it, and as considerable portions of the fence will in any case have shortly to be renewed I think a man should be put there to do this, and also to carry out further planting, as the season for that work is now approaching. What planting has been done—viz., willows, gorse, blue-gum, and brambles, has served its purpose well in binding the top surface together, and would have acted still better if it had not been, interfered with by cattle. If the surface and foreshore of the overflow is maintained intact, and with the relief-channel also acting satisfactorily, no danger need be anticipated from this direction. It is particularly necessary to maintain the foreshore, as there is 15ft. of fall between the Nine-mile Road and to the overflow, a distance of 37 chains, so that on an average for every chain that is lost of the foreshore sin. is lost in height. I have, &c, The Chairman, Westport Harbour Board. J. A. Wilson, Jun.

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