iS6 Scientijlc Intelligence* [no. 3, kew series, 
ed Messrs. Saunders and MitcheU's plan and specifications ; and 
perused with care the recorded opinions of several who have on 
previous occasions been engaged in similar enquiries, are now pre- 
pared to speak with confidence upon the subject submitted for 
their consideration. 
The Extract from the Minutes of Consyiltation referring Messrs. 
Saunders and Mitchell's proposal for Report, does not specify 
any particular points as requiring the special attention of the 
Committee, from which they infer that a general opinion as to 
the advisability of accepting their proposal is all ^that is expected 
from them. But having divided their enquiry under the following 
heads, they think it better to ofi*er their opinion upon each import- 
ant point investigated, viz. 
1st. The practicability of constructing a Pier on Piles across the 
Madras Surf. 
2nd. The fitness of such a Pier for the Port of Madras, with 
reference to its effect upon the Coast line, and the effect of the sea 
upon it. 
3rd. The suitableness of the proposed Pier in form and dimen- 
sions ; and in description and strength of material. 
4th. The Estimated cost of the work, whether moderate or 
otherwise ? 
5th. The value of the suggested Pier whether such as to warrant 
the outlay required for its construction ? 
On the first point, viz., the practicability of constructing the pro- 
posed Pier, the Committee have no hesitation in offering a favora- 
ble opinion. They have every reason for believing that no soil will 
be met with through which a Screw pile cannot be driven by the 
apparatus used by the Contractors ; and in the Court Town Pier they 
have proof sufficient that the operation of screwing can be carried 
on without ^the surf interfering with the work, while the remarka- 
ble experiment quoted by Mr. Lenncn in the year 1803, in which 
a single pile of wood (offering a far broader surface to the wave in 
comparison with its strength than the wrought Iron piles suggested 
in this case,) withstood the action of the surf for 6 monsoons, 
