WITNESS FAVOURS TAURANGA

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 16, Issue 17, 8 November 1950, Page 5

WITNESS FAVOURS TAURANGA

“Auckland is much less suitable than Tauranga for servicing exports of timber from the 4000 acres in the Putaruru area and Whakatane is impracticable.” This was stated by Mr A. L. Mason, managing-director of the Putaruru Timber Yards, and the Western Timber Coy., when giving evidence before the Bay of Plenty Harbour Committee of Inquiry which entered its sixth day in the Maori Land Court on Monday. Witness supported his statement by adding that it was twice the road, distance from Whakatane to Tokoroa as from Tauranga. He was not certain whether there was a likelihood of an early rail extension from Tokoroa. Witness considered that the railway could not handle the output of the district for some years to come. In 1951 about half the timber would have to go to Tauranga by road. Advantage of Direct Loading One advantage of road transport was the direct loading at the mills and unloading at the wharf. Also, the road freight was considerably lighter.

Under cross-examination, witness stated that he thought use could be made of back-loading by the trucks plying between his area and Tauranga. He said that the use of road transport would considerably relieve the congested railways, and would ensure a quicker turnround. He admitted that the roads needed improvement, but not as much as did the railways. To Judge Archer, who stated that all expert evidence pointed to the development of a port at Mount Maunganui if Tauranga harbour was decided on, witness said , that this fact would not alter his views. He did consider that the question of a road bridge across the Tauranga Harbour should be investigated. “Perfect” Site, Says Farmers , . “The Bay of Plenty offers a perfect site for the beginning of decentralisation,” stated the vice-presi-dent of the Waikato Federated Farmers, Mr G. A. Walsh. He said that the need for distributing the export and import of goods was most evident. It was most important to introduce a deep sea port at Tauranga and so avoid the concentration at Auckland. Witness stated that such a port would serve much of the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. Following the instituting of a port at Tauranga, it was more than likely that a freezing works would, be set up in the Bay. On being asked by Judge Archer whether he could give an assurance of a freezing works for the Bay of Plenty, witness said he thought that it should materialise witß the port, There would be every need for one as the number of cattle in the hinterland w'ould support it.