COPY.
NOTE:-
C.O.
40903
501
Here
BEL. 17 NOV 05
Throughout this report the figures in single brackets
refer to paragraphs in my report of 30th. July, 1904,
and the figures in double brackets refer to paragraphs
in Messrs. Coode, Son and Matthews' report of 12th.
May, 1905.
Hon. Director of Public Works,
1 have carefully read Messrs. Coode, Son
and Matthews' report. The principal point dealt with, and the
most important point at the present time, is the probable rate
of shoaling. 1 quite agree with the consulting engineers in
doubting the evidence produced in my report of 30th. July, 1904.
2.
When I first took the matter up 1 fully
expected to prove that the extent of shoaling in the harbour
generally, since the establishment of the Colony, had been very
small. Local deposits adjoining quarries, and at the mouths of nullahs, there must be ((11)); but the principal cause of
general silting, namely muddy water, is conspicuous by its rare
occurrence. It may be seen during or immediately after heavy
showers of rain, stretching like a fringe from the shore, out
into the usual clear water of the harbour. This phenomenon
operates during but a few hours in the year, and the vast de-
-posit of pure sediment that is known to exist has doubtless
taken a very long time to accumulate.
3.
Although the water of the harbour is
usually clear at the surface, it may, I think, be taken for
certain that matter in suspension is carried along at some depth,
and the current is quite strong enough in places to move coarser!
matter bodily along the botton (38). There must of course be a
great deal of simple moving to and fro.
4.