(This, however, is for a Dock 350
feet long, and with twenty-two
feet water on the sill; were it
made 250 feet long, with eighteen
feet water on the sill, the cost
would be reduced to about
£36,000.)

3. The cost of extending the pre-
   sent Government wharf in the
   most substantial manner, inclu-
   ding the amount of reclamation
   thereon, and a proportion of the
   cost of the necessary approaches,
   will not exceed £77 per lineal
   yard, or per chain . . . 1,700 0 0

4. The proposed basin facing above
   Green Point, with an average
   breadth of about three chains of
   reclamation, and including
   dredging, will be about the same
   amount, or per chain . . . 1,700 0 0
   (On an average of the whole,
   though at first, and if but a small
   length be undertaken, the cost of
   the dredging plant would seem to
   swell the cost considerably.)

The complete schemes as shown on ten plans,
may then fairly be estimated as under:—

[A.] Twenty-five chains wharfage
along Haven-road, including re-
clamation, &c., at £1,700 . . . £42,000 0 0
A patent slip . . . . . 28,000 0 0

£70,000 0 0

[B.] Ninety-four chains basin-facing
with earthwork, and dredging,
at £1,700 . . . . . £159,800 0 0
Extra reclamation . . . . 53,000 0 0
River training wall . . . . 19,000 0 0
Hydrostatic graving dock . . . 36,000 0 0

£267,000 0 0

A comparatively small portion of even the smaller
scheme would, however, amply suffice for present
purposes; and the following estimates would fully

71

cover all works which will probably be required for
a considerable period.

[C.] Extension of the present Go-
vernment Wharf, ten chains long,
at £1,700 . . . . . £17,000 0 0
A patent slip . . . . . 28,000 0 0

£45,000 0 0

[D.] Ten chains of basin-facing,
with reclamation and dredging,
at £1,500 . . . . . £15,000 0 0
Dredging plant . . . . 10,000 0 0
Thirty chains river training wall,
at £320 . . . . . 9,600 0 0
Thirty chains road to dock from
lower end of training wall, at
£300 . . . . . . 9,000 0 0
Dock . . . . . . 36,000 0 0

£79,600 0 0

I am not sufficiently acquainted with the tenure of
property, and the right of water-way and frontage
of the several owners of property, to be able to ad-
vise definitely whether the scheme represented by
Estimate C., or that represented by Estimate D.,
should be adopted. Economy is certainly in favour
of the former; but convenience and great suscepti-
bility of after-extension is a strong argument in
favour of the latter; and local interests or the rights
and claims of local proprietors, may easily turn the
scale either way. On the whole, I should prefer to
increase the wharfage by extending the present
works, and to construct the dock in preference to
the slip.

I shall not attempt to estimate the cost of re-
moving the channel and buoy rocks, as it depends
very greatly on the method adopted; but I would
very strongly recommend that their removal be at
once authorized; and have no doubt that the Pro-
vincial Engineer will do the work most successfully,
and at a very moderate cost.

I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
JAMES M. BALFOUR.
Wellington, March 23, 1868.

Printed under the authority of the Provincial Government, Nelson, by CHARLES ELLIOTT, Trafalgar-street,
Nelson, Printer for the time being to the said Government.