Sessional_Paper_1909 — Page 95

Accordingly the Consulting Engineers, in collaboration with myself, prepared a plan of a smaller scheme, which we roughly estimated could be carried out for the amount of the estimate. The alteration consists of shifting the southern entrance 800 feet northwards, thus shortening the breakwater, which is curved in to suit the new position of that entrance. Otherwise, the scheme remains as before. The saving resulting from the shortening of the breakwater will be about equal to the cost of the additional works at the entrances, including the reclamation.

The original scheme would have enclosed a total area of 194 acres of water, and accord- ing to the standard adopted by the Consulting Engineers, 166 acres of that area would have been effectively sheltered by the breakwater and additional works. The scheme as now modified will enclose a total area of 169 acres; and according to the same standard, 140 acres of that area will be effectively sheltered. In putting forward the larger scheme origin- ally, with the wider entrances, I stated that 166 acres would be well sheltered. With the narrower entrances, however, the same area would be sheltered to a much higher degree.

In deciding which of the two schemes recommended by the Consulting Engineers should be adopted, it would appear that only two matters require to be particularly con- sidered, viz., the areas and costs of the schemes. In other respects the two schemes are equal.

The larger scheme was designed to include the greatest area of water which, having re- gard merely to the possibilities of the site, could be advantageously included.

This area is much in excess of present requirements, and would probably not be fully utilized for a great many years to come.

The area of the smaller scheme is more than sufficient for the accommodation of the present number of small craft, and provides a reasonable margin for a future increase in the number.

With regard to the matter of cost, the smaller scheme has the advantage of being some $273,000 cheaper than the other.

I may here point out that owing to the natural configuration of the site, the cost of the Boat-Shelter could not be further materially reduced without very materially reducing its area.

I attach three san-prints from drawings prepared by the Consulting Engineers, show- ing plans of the alternative schemes, and a cross section of the breakwater which is common to both.

The Honourable,

The Director of Public Works.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

J. F. BOULTON,

Second Assistant Director of Public Works,