"abc7bd24-4d73-442b-81f9-4d32b237eb71"@en . "CONTENTdm"@en . "CORRESPONDENCE DYKING SCHEME."@en . "http://resolve.library.ubc.ca/cgi-bin/catsearch?bid=1198198"@en . "Sessional Papers of the Province of British Columbia"@en . "British Columbia. Legislative Assembly"@en . "2016-03-30"@en . "[1879]"@en . "https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcsessional/items/1.0061024/source.json"@en . "application/pdf"@en . " 42 Vic. Correspondence Dyking Scheme. 359\nRETURN\nTo an Address ot the Legislative Assembly for copies of all correspondence\nbetween the Government and E. L. Derby, or any other person or persons,\nrelating to any work carried on since 1st July, 1878, to date, under the provisions of the \"Dyking Act, 1878.\"\nBy Command.\nGeo. A. Walkem,\nLands and Works Department, Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works.\n3rd March, 1878.\nThe Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works to Mr. Navarre.\nLands and Works Department,\nVictoria, llth July, 1878.\nSir,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I have the honour to inform you that Mr. Ellis Luther Derby has undertaken\nto dyke and drain a portion of New Westminster District, British Columbia.\nMr, Derby's scheme has been supported by an Act of the Provincial Legislature, a\ncopy of which is enclosed for your information and guidance. A map of the said district\nis also enclosed for a similar purpose.\nI have now to instruct you to superintend the construction of the necessary dykes,\nlevees, drains, trestlework and flood-gates.\nThis work you will see carried out strictly in accordance with the plans and\nspecifications signed and approved by my predecessor in office.\nI hand you herewith a copy of the specifications; a copy of the plans is in the\npossession of Mr. Derby, and at all times they will be open to your inspection.\nYou will observe by a careful perusal of the Act and the plans, that your duties\ninclude suggesting from time to time any modification in the general line of dykes,\nmode of construction of the trestlework, etc., etc.\n'You will communicate with this Department prior to making any alterations,\naccompanying your reports with sketches setting forth accurately the intended deviations\nfrom the original design.\nYou will understand from personal conversations and the plans and specifications\nthat, on account of the limited time at the disposal of the Department, the surveys and\nlevels were not completed. This refers especially to the Hope and Camp Sloughs, and\nthe necessary dyking from Cheam Bluff westward.\nThis portion of the work you will see carried out up to the specifications and\ngeneral plans, being particularly careful that the dykes are fully up to the specified\nheight above the freshet of 1876.\nYou will report on the general progress of the work monthly, and oftener if any\ndifficulties arise.\nYour salary will bo at the rate of $150 per month with your travelling and other\nexpenses,\u00E2\u0080\u0094the latter, in all instances, represented by vouchers.\nYour engagement will date from the 23rd ultimo, and it is further to be distinctly\nunderstood that the Government retain the privilege of dispensing with your services\nwithout any notice whatever.\n. I have, etc.,\n(Signed) Geo. A. Walkem,\nChief Commissioner of Lands and Works. Mr. Navarre to the Surveyor-General.\nEiverside, B. O, July 18th, 1878.\nSir,\u00E2\u0080\u0094As you have kindly granted me permission, I ask you : 1st, Are there any\ninstructions in relation to the bulkhead work in Matsqui ? Is there a drawing, No. 1 ?\nIf so, I have not seen it. Are the bulkheads in Matsqui to be the same as Sumass ?\nAre there any other drawings of Matsqui embankments than that shown in drawing\nNo. 2, Fig. 5 ? Am I not referred to right-hand view of front elevation in Fig. 1, in\ndrawing No. 3, instead of Fig. 3, as stated in copy of specifications furnished me ?\nDo you think, if I ask, that Mr. Walkem will grant me permission to visit Victoria\nAugust 2nd, or is it necessary for me to ask by letter in form ? Can you do me the\nfavour without my writing him ? I want a personal interview in any event, that I may\nlearn his particular views on several subjects that are in my mind, in relation to the\nwork. If you will oblige me with answers and accept my apology for troubling you, I\nshall feel greatly obliged.\nI have, etc.,\n(Signed) I. A. Navarre.\nMr. Navarre to the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works.\nMatsqui, B. O, July 30th, 1878.\nSir,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I have the honour to submit the following as my first monthly report as\nSuperintendent, under you, of the dyking improvements being done by Mr. E. L. Derby,\nat Matsqui, on the Fraser Eiver. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2\nIn accordance with verbal and written instructions, I proceeded to the post of\nduty assigned to me, and arrived at Matsqui July 13th, 1878.\nThe only work being prosecuted at present is confined to the \" Matsqui Division.\"\nBy frequent inspections I have familiarized myself with what has been done. The\nonly work completed to this time is the earth embankment. No timber work is done as\nyet, though piles and other lumber are on tho ground, and no doubt will be used as soon\nas the pile driver is completed and equipped for service.\nBy a careful examination of the embankments, I discovered, in places, traces of\nsolid bodies being buried in the same. At all such points I have caused the earth to be\nremoved and the obstructions taken out. In some instances I found pieces of large\nroots, in others I found some small stumps. This foreign matter was put in by the\nworkmen, no doubt to expedite the enlargement of the bank, as they ignorantly\nsupposed.\nI have caused trenches to be cut clear, three feet wide, varying in length to suit the\ncircumstances of the case, sunk below all roots, at the foot of and parallel to the exterior\nslope, wherever I supposed any roots might extend from trees or stumps to any distance\nbeneath the embankment. When the trench was clear, 1 had it filled with stiff clay\ntaken from the ditch and well tamped when put in place.\nIn one instance I have caused the removal of the embankment on account of the\nencroachment of the foot of the interior slope on the berm. I consider it essential that,\nin this particular soil, there cannot be too much caution exercised to secure the\nembankment from sliding over or crushing the berm.\nI have required an enlargement of the berm in all instances where the ground has\nbeen surveyed since my superintendency; for this reason, to wit: There is and will be a\nconstant wearing away of the berm by reason of the action of the elements, particularly\nrain and frosts, until the earth has attained a much greater slope than that required to\nbe given by the plans and specifications of this work.\nI have noticed that much of the soil is of a very friable nature, and the sun and\nwinds have a great effect on it in causing it to crumble. I think the planting of willow\nbrush at the foot of the berm slope, in the ditch, would, without doubt, counteract the\nevil influences of the elements at particular seasons to a very material extent.\nThe embankment, as must be expected, is settling somewhat, and will settle more\nwhen the rains of winter set in ; therefore more earth will be required to be put on in\nthe spring.\nWith some retouching in spots, the embankment will be as substantial as it can be\nmade with the quality of dirt at hand. 42 Vic. Correspondence Dyking Scheme.\nI have, in a few cases, caused the location to be changed a very short distance from\na low ground to a higher ground, that the strength of a natural bank might be utilized.\nThere is about two thousand feet of earth embankment to be completed. The\nground is prepared for the building of this embankment.\nThe balance of the work will be bulkhead, and the works in the sloughs. The\nwhole distance of this work is about 12,000 feet.\nThe bulkhead work is in places where an earth embankment would not be safe.\nTotal length of dyke is nearly 7.18 miles. I have found a ready willingness on the\npart of the contractor to aid me in having the work well and carefully done.\nI have, etc.,\n(Signed) I. A. Navarre,\nSuperintendent.\nMr. Navarre to the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works.\nMatsqui, B.C., August 31st, 1878.\nSir,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I have the honour to submit this, my regular monthly report, for the month\nending August 31st, 1878.\nNo work coming under the head of my superintendence has been done outside the\nMatsqui division.\nDuring the month work has steadily progressed, but not with the rapidity of\nprevious months by reason of the discontinuance from work of one entire gang of\nChinamen. They quit on or about the last of July. And also the work done this month\nhas been heavier, and the cutting in some places has been in very stiff clay.\nThere has been a fraction less than one mile of very heavy and substantial dyke\nbuilt during the month.\nThe major portion of work is excellent clay cutting, and cannot be excelled for the\npurpose in which it has been used. In a couple of instances, I found only a thin coating\nof clay, the balance being sand in the ditch. This was for a distance of 300 feet. I put\nthe clay in the heart of the embankment, and from necessity used the sand to complete\nthe proportions of the bank. The average height of the embankment at these points\nis about five feet. To remedy, as far as possible, any weakness of this bank, I shall, as\nsoon as the newly-disturbed earth is somewhat settled in place, cause clay to be brought\nfrom a distance, with 'which I shall reinforce the exterior and interior slopes. This will\nprevent sliding, be stiff and-compact, and. will afford perfect root hold for the revetment\nof grass sod which will form over it after seeding. The sand is very fine.\nFor a distance of two hundred and fifty feet, oyer work done before my arrival and\ncharge here, 1 have caused the embankment to be considerably reinforced with stiff\nclay in the manner above described. This enlargement of the bank is at a point\nsomewhat sandy, and too, where, during very high water, there will be a slight current,\nand as a consequence, the washing away of the sand and a material weakening of the\nbank. My precaution can, in no event, do harm. I have, etc.,\n(Signed) I. A. Navarre,\nSuperintendent Sumass Dyking Scheme.\nMr. Navarre to the Chief Commissioner of Lands and, Works.\nMatsqui, B.C., August 31st, 1878.\nSir,\u00E2\u0080\u0094The matters herein mentioned, not coming under the head of items connected\nwith my regular monthly report to you, I have the honour to submit the same as a\nsupplemental report.\nDuring the month of August, machinery has been forwarded to Sumass to be put\ninto a saw-mill, which mill, as I am informed by the proprietor of the same, is framed\nand ready for erection as soon as a further complement of machinery is received. I am\nalso informed that said mill is intended to supply the lumber to ' be used in the\nconstruction of the dykes, gates, etc., at Matsqui, Sumass, and other points.\nI am further informed by the said proprietor that he has 80,000 feet of logs (cedar)\non hand ready to saw.\nI expect work will progress quite rapidly during the month of September.\nI have, etc.,\n(Signed) I. A. Navarre,\nSuperintendent Sumass Dyking Scheme. 362 Correspondence Dyking Scheme. 1879\nThe Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works to Mr. Derby.\n% Lands and Works Department,\nVictoria, Oct. 14th, 1878.\nSir,\u00E2\u0080\u0094As 1 understand that you are about to leave town, I beg leave at once to\nimpress upon you the necessity of recouping the Government for the expenses incurred\nby this Department for surveys and salaries, etc., on the Fraser Eiver dyking lands.\nI trust that you will give this letter your earnest attention, as the account cannot\nbe allowed to remain longer in its present unsatisfactory condition. I have also to\nnotify you to proceed with the work as rapidly as possible.\nI have, etc.,\n(Signed) Geo. A. Walkem,\nChief Commissioner of Lands and Works.\nMr. Navarre to the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works.\nMatsqui, B.C., October 19th, 1878.\nSir,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I have the honour to report that, agreeable to your instructions, I have\nreturned to Matsqui.\nThat by reason of verbal instructions received from the Surveyor-General at\nVictoria, I did not make my usual written monthly report on the first of the present\nmonth.\nWork on the Matsqui division of the dyke is resumed. Men are cutting and removing\nbrush to receive earth embankment.\nAn examination of work constructed does not show any damaging effects from the\nheavy rains more than was anticipated.\nThe embankment is settling nicely. By the time the winter rains are over, the\nembankment will be in a fit state to give it the final addition of earth and trimming,\npreparatory for seeding. Cattle have, in some places, done damage to the embankment.\nThe berm and scarp of the ditch are, so far, intact, which, if they continue so, will\nbe an assurance of the permanency of the embankment.\nI have, etc.,\n(Signed) 1. A. Navarre,\nSuperintendent Sumass Dyking Scheme.\nMr. Navarre to the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works.\nMatsqui, B.C., 21st October, 1878.\nSir,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I have the honour to address you on the subject of the construction of Matsqui\ndyke.\nMr. Derby purposes building 1,809 or 2,000 feet of bulkhead in this dyke, at points\nwhere the heaviest embankment will be. I do not agree with him that so much\nbulkhead is necessary or advantageous. I am satisfied that at a few points bulkhead is\nthe proper thing, with this qualification, that the crown of the earth embankment shall\nbe up to grade.\nI object to a bulkhead having four feet of destructable material exposed to. the\nair and action of the elements, as such structure will, in a few yoars, entail enormous\nexpense for repairs, and will be the first portion of the work to give way in the event\nof an unusual flood.\nEarthwork in structures of this kind, with the base of the embankment protected\nfrom standing pools of water, or with a staunch structure of timber in the centre, to\nprevent undermining, is, in my opinion, preferable to a semi-embankment of earth\nsurmounted with projecting timbers that will in any event crumble in a few years, and\nthe work that can be done now, will then have to be completed at a great risk of an\noverflow in the meantime.\nAs these masters were rndoubtedly anticipated in the arrangement made with Mr.\nDerby, I will veiy respectfully request bo be instructed :\n1st, If you approve of tao building of bulkhead in this work, as purposed by Mr.\nDerby ? 42 Vic. Correspondence Dyking Scheme. 363\n2nd, If yes, is the mode of construction to be in accordance with the plan, etc., of\nthe Sumass dyke ?\nI am constrained to address you on this subject for the reason that I cannot find in\nthe plans, specifications or drawings anything that relates to bulkhead work on Matsqui\nexcept in the sloughs and their banks.\nI have etc.,\n(Signed) I. A. Navarre,\nSuperintendent Sumass Dyking Scheme.\nThe Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works to Mr. Derby.\nLands and Works Department,\nVictoria, October 23rd, 1878.\nSir,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I have to draw your attention to the fact that Mr. Turner's salary as Surveyor,\nand Mr. Navarre's salary as Superintendent of the works, as well as numerous other\naccounts in connection with the surveys which have been executed under the \" Sumass\nand Chilliwhack Dyking Scheme,\" still remain unpaid.\nI have therefore to request that you will be good enough to make, at an early date,\na further payment on this account, as the Government are desirous of having those\nliabilities liquidated, I have, etc.,\n(Signed) Geo. A. Walkem,\nChief Commissioner of Lands and Works.\nMr. Navarre to the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works.\nMatsqui, B.C., November 2nd, 1878.\nSir,\u00E2\u0080\u0094In this my regular monthly report for the month of October, I have the honour\nto state that, since my report made to you at the time of the resumption of work by\nMr. Derby, the force of workmen has been increased. There are now about sixty\nChinamen and forty white men at work.\nAbout seven hundred feet in length, averaging about eight feet in height, of earth\nembankment has been thrown up. I have, etc.,\n(Signed) I. A. Navarre,\nSuperintendent Sumass Dyking Scheme.\nMr. Navarre to the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works.\nVictoria, November 6th, 1878.\nSir,\u00E2\u0080\u0094Agreeable to request, I have the honour to submit herewith a sketch of plan\nfor bulkhead to be built in the Matsqui division of the dyke, at those points where such\nwork was not anticipated.\nIn height it conforms to the grade line established, viz., one foot above high water\nof 1876.\nThe same is respectfully submitted for your consideration.\nI have, etc.,\n(Signed) I. A. Navarre,\nSuperintendent Sumass Dyking Scheme,\nThe Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works to Mr. Derby.\nLands and Works Department,\nVictoria, B.C., 7th November, 1878.\nSir,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I have the honour to inform you that Mr. I. A. Navarre has submitted and\nrecommended a plan (enclosed herewith) as a modification of the original plans and\nspecifications for the Matsqui portion of the Sumass Dyking Scheme, with regard to\nthose portions of the dyke, exclusive of the work connected with damming the sloughs.\nThis alteration has been agreed to with this proviso, viz.: That you are at liberty to place bulkhead work in the said dyke, in conformity with the enclosed plan, but not\notherwise, and subject to the orders of the Government Engineer in charge of the\nworks. In carrying out this Work in conformity with the enclosed plan, you will drive\nthe piles and sheet piling to solid clay. The timbers, piling, etc., will be of the sizes set\nforthfin the drawings. All timber used must be cedar. You will please distinctly\nunderstand that no work will be accepted as a satisfaction of the conditions of the\nDyking Act unless it has the approval of Mr. Navarre. The Superintendent, the Agent\nof the Lands and Works, under the Sumass Dyking Scheme Act, has no authority to move\npersonally in any matter that pertains to a modification of the work to be done by\nvirtue of said Act. Through him, when any change becomes necessary, you are at\nliberty to communicate with this office, when due consideration will immediately be\ngiven to the subject. I have, etc.,\n(Signed) Geo. A. Walkem,\nChief Commissioner of Lands and Works.\nMr. Navarre to the Surveyor-General.\nEiverside, B.C., Nov. 15th, 1878.\nSir,\u00E2\u0080\u0094Mr. Derby requests I will accompany him to Victoria next Tuesday for the\npurpose of seeing you and Mr. Walkem in relation to matters touching the construction\nof Matsqui dyke. Will you please to signify to me, by telegraph, your approval or\ndisapproval of my going ? 1 will venture to say you will receive better satisfaction if\nI am present. I have, etc.,\n(Signed) I. A. Navarre,\nSuperintendent Sumass Dyking Scheme.\nMr. Navarre to the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works.\nEiverside, B.C., December 1st, 1878.\nSir,\u00E2\u0080\u00941 have the honour to submit herewith my regular monthly report for the\nmonth of November, 1878.\nNo work has been done except on the Matsqui division of the dyke.\nThe amount of work has been the throwing up of about eight hundred feet of\nembankment in length, averaging nearly seven feet in height, and the cutting of three\nditches three feet by three feet, and 2,543 feet long, at the extreme upper end of the\ndyke, commencing at the mountain and emptying into a small creek. The said creek\nheads in the mountains, on the river side of the dyke, thence courses across the line of\ndyke, and finds its way into the river through a slough some five miles from point of\norigin. The object of the said ditches is to drain a swamp and peat bed which lies next\nto the mountain, and is touched by the line of dyke at a point 1,800 feet from the mountain.\nThe source of the creek is so located that it can be diverted into the river without\nmuch cost or difficulty, and thereby avoid crossing the line of dyke. The Waters draining\nfrom the mountain inside the dyke lino, for a short distance, cross the said dyke line\ncoursing towards the river until they drop into the said creek. This drainage can and\nmust be stopped before it reaches the dyke ditch, by means ofa drain ditch, commencing\nat the mountain, running thence parallel with the line of dyke at a safe distance from\nany of the works until it will reach the creek.\nThe peat bed mentioned, commences at 1,400 feet from the mountain, and increases\nin depth from six inches to eight feet two hundred feet from the mountain, and then dips\nso that at twelve feet I could not find clay. From necessity a different class of work\nthan any specified will be required for this. I will submit a supplemental report with a\nsketch of plan which will conform with the other work, and be a safeguard in the said\ndistance of 1,800 feet.\nThe rain has been excessive, and much of the earth work done during the month\nwill require rehandling. It never has, and never will, pay to construct earth\nembankments during wet weather.\nIt is with pleasure that I inform you that your letter of instructions, written on or\nabout the 7th of November, to Mr. Derby, has had a very beneficial effect. Work. 42 Vic. Correspondence Dyking Scheme. 365\nmeasured off since the receipt of said letter conforms to contract, and the work done by\nsuch measurements shows, and is, a very material improvement on that previously\nconstructed. As I have informed you heretofore, very much of the work thrown up\nlast summer and spring is deficient in quantity of earth, and manner of construction.\nThe scarp of the ditch and the interior slope of the embankment are deficient in their\nslopes. The lack of slope in an earth embankment reduces the quantity of earth and\nnecessarily makes the power of resistance so much loss, as well as destroying the angle\nof repose, and thereby creating a greater tendency to sliding. The major portion of\nwork so improperly done was constructed previous to my arrival here in July, and that\ndone since my arrival was so done against my personal protest to the engineer-in-charge\nunder Mr. Derby, and during the absence of Mr. Derby at San Francisco. There was\nvery little work done of that sort after the commencement of my inspectorship.\nImmediately on Mr. Derby's return to Victoria I informed him of these defects, and he\nsaid, then and there, they would be remedied. These embankments are not as yet\ndefective, inasmuch as they can be made to comply with the contract at the time of the\nfinishing touch being applied. I mention these things as I believe it a part of my duty\nas your servant to do so.\nOn November 23rd all except thirteen white men were discharged. There remains\nsixty Chinamen who work in the intervals of fair weather.\nMr. Derby informs me he will commence work on the gates of Matsqui sloughs in\na couple of weeks. The pile driver is completed and prepared for work.\nI shall submit my supplemental report, with sketch, in the course of one week.\nI have, etc.,\n(Signed) I. A. Navarre,\nSuperintendent Sumass Dyking Scheme.\nMr. Navarre to the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works.\nMatsqui, B.C., January 1st, 1879.\nSir,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I have the honour to submit herewith my monthly report for the month of\nDecember, 1878.\nThe only work done this month has been the building of earth embankments. The\namount put up is about 800 feet in length, averaging a fraction over eight feet in height.\nThe Chinamen are the only men who worked on the dyke. The white men have\nbeen engaged on private work. There are about sixty Chinamen and eight white men.\nNo work has been done on the sloughs as I was led to believe there would be.\nAt present the cold is such that I think earth work will have to be discontinued\nfor a few days, or until the weather moderates. I have, etc.,\n(Signed) I. A. Navarre,\nSuperintendent Sumass Dyking Scheme.\nMr. E. L. Derby to the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works.\nEiverside, B. O, 7th February, 1879.\nSir,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I have prepared a sketch shewing the position and nature of the land where\nI think it will be necessary, or at least prudent, to replace the embankment shewn on\nthe plans furnished by your department by bulkhead work; also sketches shewing\nexact cross sections of the sloughs, from which you will see that it will be impracticable\nto put in the flood-gates exactly as shewn on plans, together with plans of the modifications I propose. I expect to be in Victoria in about ten days, and will submit same\nto you for approval.\nI have no disposition to ask for any modification of the original plans, simply with\na view to saving expense in the construction, the only modifications I wish, are such as\nmay bettor ensure the success of the enterprise. With regard to the bulkhead work,\nthe original intention was, that I should use this, with partial embankment, wherever\nit should be considered likely, from the nature of the soil, to make a better protection\nthan embankment alone.\nDuring construction, I have found on the line of dyke various kinds of earth and\nsediment, and there are some places where I do not consider an earth embankment secure. In one place for about 1,000 feet, I have found a quicksand under a three-foot\nclay bed. Here, with an earth embankment, we might expect an underseepage, the\nvery thing we are most anxious to guard against. The dyke here is over eleven feet\nhigh, and the material for construction not ofa quality to warrant the erection of earth\nembankment alone.\nThere are three more places, one of about 600 feet, the other two about 275 feet\neach, all low ground where the material for embankment is a light slippery clay.\nThe embankment required would average 9 feet. , I have already some embankment\nof the same material constructed of an average height of seven feet, and find that it\nis slipping away very much, and I do not consider it safe to erect heavier\nembankments of this material. Neither should I consider it safe in most of\nthe places where bulkhead is necessary to have anything more than a very light ditch\noutside of the bulkhead.\nOwing, probably, to the hurried nature of Mr. Mahood's survey, there is an error\nin his estimate of the contents of the Matsqui dyke. Instead of 61,000 cubic yards, as\nestimated by him, the amount is over 85,000 cubic yards, making already an addition of\none third to the anticipated cost.\nI expect to be able to begin the bulkhead work immediately on my return from\nVictoria, of which I think it right to notify you, as you may think it desirable that\nyour inspector should he on the ground while the work is going on. In this connection\n1 wish to state that from what I have seen of Mr. Navarre, I do not consider him\ncompetent for the position, as it was clearly understood that it might be necessary, from\nthe better information obtained during the progress of tho work, to materially modify\nMr. Mahood's plans, and Mr. Navarre does not seem to me to be sufficiently qualified as an\nengineer to be able to understand when a modification is necessary or in what direction\nthe modification should be. Should it be the intention of your department to re-engage\nMr. Navarre, it would only be justice to me, before you do so, to allow me to understand\nwhat Mr. Navarre's experience has been, and upon what ground he is considered\ncompetent, and I think I will have no difficulty in satisfying you that you are under a\nmisapprehension in the matter. I have, etc.,\n(Signed) E. L. Derby.\nMr. Derby to the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works.\nVictoria, 27th February, 1879.\nSir,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I regret that your time has been so occupied that I have had no opportunity\non this occasion of submitting to you the profiles and sections of the ground in Matsqui in\nwhich bulkhead work is necessary, and the nature of the bulkheading which 1 wish to\nsubmit for your approval.\nI wish to leave for Eiverside to-morrow to proceed with the driving of the piling in\nthe sloughs immediately on my return, as there may be difficulty in getting the floodgates properly built before high water should this part of the work be longer delayed.\nMay I beg of j-ou to give the earliest possible attention to my last communication to\nyou, as, in order to secure the section of the Matsqui lands from the freshet this year,\nit will not be safe to postpone the completion of the work longer than the beginning of\nMay, so that it is necessary to proceed with the construction without delay. Should\nthe works, in their present unfinished condition, be exposed to even a medium high\nwater the consequences would be very serious.\nI have, etc.,\n(Signed) E. L. Derby."@en . "Legislative proceedings"@en . "J110.L5 S7"@en . "1879_27_359_366"@en . "10.14288/1.0061024"@en . "English"@en . "Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library"@en . "Victoria, BC : Government Printer"@en . "Images provided for research and reference use only. For permission to publish, copy or otherwise distribute these images please contact the Legislative Library of British Columbia"@en . "Original Format: Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Library. Sessional Papers of the Province of British Columbia"@en . "RETURN To an Address of the Legislative Assembly for copies of all correspondence between the Government and E. L. Derby, or any other person or persons, relating to any work carried on since 1st July, 1878, to date, under the provisions of the \"Dyking Act, 1878."@en . "Text"@en . 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