135 Scientific Intelligence. [no. 3, new sERXES i 



ed Messrs. Saunders and Mitchell'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 Consultation 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 offer 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 Fier 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, 



