OPOTIKI MAYOR THROWS BRICK AT WHAKATANE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 99, 17 February 1950, Page 5

OPOTIKI MAYOR THROWS BRICK AT WHAKATANE

A violent objection to the deep sea port scheme at Whakatane and allegations of parpchialism on the part of Whakatane towards Opotiki with reference to the railway connection was made by the Mayor of Opotiki, Mr T. G. Johnson, according to an “Opotiki News” report of a meeting of the Opotiki Chamber of Commerce. Mr Johnson called the Whakatane port plan a “pipe dream” and alleged that “Every move in this Bay has been blocked unless it suited Whakatane.”

These comments came forth when Mr Johnson who the “News” says has always been a keen advocate for Tauranga, was asked to give his opinion on the Whakatane and Tauranga port propoals, the meeting having been called to consider the two schemes.

At a previous meeting the Opotiki Chamber had decided that “on the information available” it would support the Whakatane scheme, at the same time writing to the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce asking for information of their scheme. According to Mr Johnson there was no need to make a harbour at Tauranga as it- was already there. The Opotiki Borough Council was unanimous in it's support for Tauranga. Whakatane was only a “pipe dream” and it was ridiculous to try to make a port on the open sea. He alleged that had it not been for the parochialism of the Whakatane people Opotiki would have had the railway years ago. Opotiki had the promise of the Government but Whakatane fought desperately against it unless it went to Whakatane. “Every move in this Bay has been blocked unless it suited Whakatane,” claimed Mr Johnson. The suggestion of the deep sea harbour at Tauranga had been brought up years ago, and the matter had recently been revived by the Opotiki Borough Council.

The outcome a meeting at Rotorua where everybody favoured it. Then Whakatane produced its plan. When Mr Ralph P. Worley (an M.Sc., A.M.I.E. (Aust.), M.N.Z.1.E., M.R San I. (Lond), N.Z. Inst., Surveyors, of Auckland, one of New Zealand’s foremost consulting engineers) saw it in Whakatane he took a glance at the map and commented that it was feasible. Mr Johnson considered that the Whakatane scheme would be a failure as it was going against nature. Whakatane would try to block the harbour at Tauranga just as it had blocked the Opotiki railway. If there was a semblance of support from Opotiki it would be roped in to pay part of the expenses.

Mr Johnson was of the opinion that Ohiwa could supply a better port than Whakatane would ever have.

The president of the chamber, Mr A. H. Short, said that the chamber had tried to keep away from the question of feasibility and leave that to the engineer. He asked if Tauranga could put up figures to contradict the Whakatane figures. Mr J. D. Clark asked if experts were engaged in preparing reports on the schemes. Mr Johnson said that he understood that both schemes were being investigated. One member asked if there would be sufficient fresh water at the Mount to supply a ship. Another member humorously remarked that one ship would take all Whakatane’s water at present.