PORT CHRISTCHURCH

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20094, 25 November 1930, Page 15

PORT CHRISTCHURCH

TO THE EOITOE or THK fESSS. Sir,- —As a Sumner resident of several years' standing, I have watched with interest the discussions and suggestions in The Priss3 in regard to the Estuary port. If Professor HornelJ gives a report in its favour, how are the costs to be found for a port, when there ip such a difficulty in finding the money to obtain the report f If the suggested art union would furnish tlna fuuda for a report, are art unions to be depended on to build and equip as Estu«ry harbour I I think not. I have H project to put forward though it is not original to me; but in all the suggestions I have never &ccn this one mentioned. About twenty-six yenrfj ago I was visiting the Bay of Plenty district, and while there stopped at a placa called Paengaroa, with my relatives, They were farmers, and had a good deal of produce, manures, etc., to import, and a good deal of maize and other farm produeo to export. This was done in a very simple manner, and the place of importation mul exportation was called Maketu, consisting of a channel and sand ilat3 very similar to our Estuary. Fairly large steamers called at Tauranga from Auckland, and from these much smaller, flat-bot-tomed launches carried produce to Maketu. Travelling mon the high tide, these launches would travel as high up as possible on the sand flats. On grounding on the forepart of the ' launch the propeller wan still unhurt in the water, and the launch had grounded so that sho was immovable on her flat bottom. Soon the tide started to leave tho launch, and in a very short time she was high and dry on {.he solid sand flat. Now the unloading starts, and by the time the tide is cowing in a ß®| B the launch is completely unloaded. On the water reaching the launch again she floats in a very little water, as her cargo has been discharged, and she is then able to leave to load up again. No wharves are needed, as tho conveyances tor removing the goods can get right alongside the launch. Since X was there tho sea lias spoilt this trading by turning the course of the rive* in an entirely different diree. In gumnejr we have a good channel and sand flats similar to those I have I mentioned. There is a good landing place either at the Hoathcote bridge or near Mount Pleasant right adjacent to the main road. It would cost a flatbottomed boat owner at Lyttelton vary little to try this 'plan for a start, and on its proving a success a steamer could easily lie off Sumner s>nd discharge her lighter cargo for Christchurph into launches and leave the heavier cargo to 20 by way of Lyttelton. Should this come about the vessel at tho other end elm easily hP loaded to call at Bumper or Lyttelton first a« required. Sumner's grocers or co»l-merchants could then impart direct, as the sand flats are available here i° T -hem as well as at Heatboote bridge or M*- Pleas» nt for Christchurcb peopte. The Suinner pier would no longer bo a neglected, drpftry place, but full of interest to visitors and residents in seeing launches plying up and down the channel. The new "fcboat has proved bow easily navigable this estuary port would be.—Yours, etc., PUMNEKim November 34th, 1030.