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Sir John Coode, C.E.
30 Mar, 1882.
586
3577. Sir Lintorn_Simmons.—What depth of water are you in now ?-We are now in 30 feet of water, of which 30 feet 10 feet is composed of a rubble base, and 20 feet of large concrete blocks weighing 32 tons each.
5578. Sir Henry Barkly-Have you had any bad weather since the concrete blocks have been laid; has there been any stiff gale?-Very heavy seas have broken upon the breakwater at the "burst
of every south-west monsoon since the works commenced.
5579. Sir Henry Holland.What would be the pro- bable expense of the Northern Arm if that was to be made-The cost of the design complete, including the Northern Arm, is 910,6007. My own view is that the omission of the Northern Arm is a curtailment of what I consider necessary to make this a very perfect har- bour. My original proposition was that there should be an opening of 600 feet, which I thought sufficient, between the two arms. However, there seems to be a doubt on that point; but it has been decided, for the present, that if the Government can
see their way to carry out that North Arm, that it should be 2,000 feet long; 200 feet of the original design being cut off at the south-western end, and 300 feet at the eastern end.
5580. Sir Henry Holland.-Can you give us an estimate for the North Arm alone?—That is 198,000l.
5581. If that was constructed, then the tranship- ments into boats would not be necessary? — That depends upon the construction of the jetties. What I meant was that the interruption to transhipment into boats would be avoided if that arm is made. There is, however, a division of opinion in the Colony as to what extent that interruption would take place. Of course, as long as there is not a sufficient number of vessels to require the occupation of the eastern part of the harbour, I dare say there would be a sufficient amount of shelter; but, growing as the trade of Colombo is, my belief is that in a short time, say within the next four or five years, the construction of this arm will prove to be an absclute necessity.
5582. Sir Lintorn Simmons. If that arm were not constructed, could you freight ships alongside the proposed jetty-That also, I think, would be liable to interruption during the north-east monsoon in the absence of a North Arm.
5583. The Earl of Camperdown.-How far, without that Northern Arm, would the harbour be protected by the land on the north ?—It is difficult to give an answer to that question. because much would depend upon how much easting there may be in the wind.
5584. But take the worst wind for the harbour-the north wind. Would that wind wash the sea right up on to the jetty, and so virtually make the harbour useless ?—Yes, but these winds are comparatively of
rare occurrence.
5585. Sir Lintorn Simmons. - Is the anchorage good and safe in these winds?-Perfectly safe. I was at Colombo in the spring of 1878; and seeing that this question was cropping up I directed that a series of observations should be made upon the height of the waves during the north-east monsoon, and it was found to be never more than about 5 feet on an extreme, and that only for half-a-day peri:aps.
5586. Then if the anchorage is safe nothing is to be apprehended from the north-eastern monsoon but delay?—It would be merely delay. There is no question as to the safety of the anchorage.
5587. Sir Alexander Milne.-For what period of the year does the north-east monsoon blow ?-For about six months.
5588. Therefore for six months you have a high sea running into that harbour ?—During a certain portion of the north east monsoon only, and it does not often happen, even during those times, that there is any great amount of undulation in the harbour.
5589. Does it stop the landing of stores and cargo during that period?-We have yet to learn to what extent they would be stopped by it. There is a difference of opinion even on the spot about that. There are those who say-and I believe the members of
the Chamber of Commerce without exception say -- that this Northern Arm will be necessary, but they are content to go on with all energy to complete the South- western Arm, and learn from experience whether the other is necessary or not.
5590. Assuming that the latter is constructed, would there be a sufficient passage for all ships going out during the time of the north-east monsoon ?—Yes, the Harbour-Master is con pletely satisfied upon that point.
5591. What depth of water have you over 24 feet? -I have laid down a line of 26 feet. We are dredging sand now, and then we shall have 255 acres of 26 feet and upwards.
5592. Sir Henry Barkly.-Is it intended that ships shall lie alongside those jetties as they do in Hobson's Bay?--Yes, that is the ultimate intention.
5593. But there is not sufficient depth of water at present? No, it is proposed to give 26 feet of water. We have had the whole area of this harbour bored, and it is satisfactory to find we can get 5,000 fathoms of water if it is all dredged. At present, according to this design, the total sheltered area will be 502 acres. The present estimate contemplates the dredging to such an extent as will give an acreage of 255 acres.
5594. Sir Lintorn Simmons.---Is the dredging in- cluded in your 800.000%. estimate ?--It is included in the estimate, in the sum which I hope will not amount to 712,600/.
5595. Colombo is at present used extensively as a commercial harbour?-Very inuch; in fact, I believe next month all the establishment of the Peninsular and Oriental Company is to be moved there. The Messageries Company and the British India Company run there now, and all the other independent Com- panies, so to speak. now run to Colombo.
5596. In fact, these large ships are lying there at all seasons of the year ?They are.
5597. As a fact, does the north-east monsoon stop the operations generally more than three or four days at a time? No.
5598. And is that, perhaps, only for three or four times a-year? Yes, only three or four times
a-year.
5599. Have you any record you can give us of the interruption that mercantile ships suffer from that cause I will endeavour to supply it.
5600. Sir Alexander Milne.-What is the object in the steamers calling there? The Peninsular and Oriental Company will call there once in every fortnight for the purpose of transhipping the Australian pas- sengers, and doing what they have always been doing up to the present time at Galle.
5601. Sir Henry Barkly.—They would coal there? -Yes; the Commissioners will see on this map a large portion of reclamation in a very advanced state in- deed, which is intended as a site for a couling station. I believe it is intended to devote a portion to the Peninsular and Oriental Company. They are building offices there, now nearly completed, with the view of transferring their establishment to Colombo.
5602. The Earl of Camperdown-What is their reason for removing-Because they cannot get into Galle at night. G lle is a very bad harbour, there are so many rocks and shoals; and, in addition to that, in the south-west monsoon there is practically no shelter whatever.
5603 Sir Henry Barkly.-If the whole trade of Galle is transferred to Colombo at once, would 250 acres be sufficient ? As the traffic is now; but my belief is that it would not be eventually.
5604. Sir Lintorn Simmons.-Are there a number of large steamers in the Colombo direct trade?—Yes. Galle has hitherto been what Colombo is becoming and will be, the great centre for the transhipment of commerce en route to Australia.
5605. Sir Henry Holland.--We should not be wrong, perhaps in assuming that, practically, the trade of Galle will be transferred to Colombo in a few years? -You might almost say it is transferred. There only remains the large establishment of the Peninsular and Oriental Company to come; and I believe there is a
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