CO129-329 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [7-12] — Page 504

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NOTE:-

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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.