and Proposed Works for its Improvement. 117 



ments of the locality, whilst the material available for 

 embanking being so far from the place required, would 

 be costly in removal. I do not concur in Commander 

 Stanley's opinion as to the alleged evil result of ships lying 

 alongside the piers, for supposing any current to exist 

 transverse to the line of pier, the tendency would be to 

 create an under draught below the ship, and whilst such 

 existed it would be beneficial rather than otherwise. 



The evidence afforded by Commander Stanley of the make 

 of foreshore at Sandridge, and the shoaling of water between 

 that place and St. Kilda, is valuable in pointing out 

 the existence of another source of danger to the bay, 

 in the alleged existence of a littoral drift past Sandridge 

 in the direction of the Yarra mouth, as before alluded to in 

 this paper. The make of the foreshore in front of Liarclet's, 

 from a few feet to several chains between the house and high 

 water mark, and the contour of the soundings between 

 Sandridge, St. Kilda, and Brighton, have all told the same 

 story of increase, and from the quarter which Commander 

 Stanley's recent report and survey confirms ; but I shall 

 have occasion to speak of this drift when submitting my 

 suggestions for improvements in the harbour. 



Mr. Gordon's report on the navigation of the Yarra evinces 

 his usual careful summary of facts bearing on the case, and 

 as before remarked, it is most important to have the benefit 

 of his opinion so decidedly expressed in favour of the 

 retention of the embouchure of the river in its present 

 position near Williamstown ; and I attach greater importance 

 to his opinion in this matter because of the persistent 

 advocacy by many of the " direct canal," in the face of a 

 series of adverse facts, and in direct opposition to the 

 teachings of theory and of practice, but more especially the 

 lessons taught by results in Hobson's Bay. 



The principal objection I have to Mr. Gordon's proposals 

 is that they do not go far enough, and are only adapted to 

 meet a part of the difficulties which exist ; and being in the 

 nature of expedients are more likely to embarrass future 

 operations. Under the circumstances I beg to enter a protest 

 against any works being undertaken which are not part of a 

 comprehensive general scheme adapted to the difficulties of 

 our position and suited to the several requirements of the 

 case, and from this stand-point protest against all expenditure 

 in the river whilst the question is left untouched as to the 

 silting up of the bay, because if we cease to have a harbour, 



