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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 61

Harbour

Harbour

Although not classed with the industries, is a great aid to their introduction. From the first arrival of the Europeans, the absence of a harbour has been felt as a serious drawback, the expense attached to shipment in an open roadstead, practically preventing the export of such articles that possessed a high market value. Where a vessel can be loaded from a wharf, minor articles put on board either as dunnage or freight may be the means of establishing many light industries, to say nothing of the vegetables, eggs, butter, milk etc., etc., required for the crew and passengers. A few ships constantly in harbour would give a value to suburban sections.

The pier, now slowly stretching its length seawards, page 14 has not been planned and built without many difficulties, and much of somewhat selfish opposition, that fortunately, has yielded before determined action.

The Breakwater is situated two miles to the South of the town of New Plymouth, in the neighbourhood of some bold landmarks, known, from their shape, as the Sugar, loaves; they act in breaking the force of the heavy seas and in yielding material for the construction of the works. To the present date, 1466 feet out of 2320 have been completed; the width on the surface is 34 feet, with a 42 feet base; solid concrete blocks of some 26 tons in weight have been placed on the inner and outer edge; the centre being filled up with rubble and concrete. On several occasions has the stability of the structure been most severely tested, during heavy storms, the wave force yielding a sufficient power to wash the unfixed heavy blocks into the sea, and to wrench the iron rails from their fastenings; but in no instance has the stability of the structure shown the slightest symptoms of yielding. Vessels of considerable size are constantly berthed alongside the pier; the depth of water at low spring tide being 14 feet 6 inches to 15 feet, allowing the fall tide to yield a rise of 12 feet, 26 feet will result. For the construction of the works, by the sanction of the parliament, £200,000 has been borrowed, on the security of one fourth of the land revenue of the Province. The work is gradually progressing under the superintendence of the Resident Engineer, Mr. G. Rhind, C.E., late of Aberdeen and Aabroath.