DEEPER BERTHAGE WANTED.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 885, 3 August 1910, Page 5

DEEPER BERTHAGE WANTED.

.AUCKLAND'S DRAWBACK. <B» Teleeraob-Press Association.! , . , .' Auckland, August , 2. The need for -providing- dtep-water berthage at Auckland was urged on tho Haruour Board in a letter , read at toJay's meeting from • Messrs. L. D.'• Nathan and Co. It was pointed out that arrangements were lately made ior the Taiinu to visit Auckland for Homeward cargo, and .to sail for. London direct on August 11. Oil July 14 the firm communicated with the harbourmaster and ho said tho Tainui could depend upon getting the use.'of a berth with 29ft. at low water spring tide. It was'assumed at the lime that this would suffice and all arrangements were made, notices issued to shippers, and cargo arrangements made. Subsequently it was found that cargo of a heavy nature offering in the South Island would put the Tainui further down in the-water than was anticipated, and last Friday a wire was received stating that in consequence of the heavy cargo the vessel-would draw 301 ft, before finishing.- Captain iloffat would notrisk the boat at Auckland, and therefore the visit to this port would have to be abandoned as there was no time to return to Wellington afterwards to' finish. . Messrs. Nathan further stated that they had to cancel: all arrangements and notify shippers that they could uot depend upon the Tainui as an opportunity for shipment. • . • ~'!y?e f eel sure," the letter proceeded, the board will share with us the wish that. Auckland should as frequently as possible, be made the final port of departure for steamers, particularly tho=e engaged;in tho mail-and-passenger service,, and it would appear that arrangements .for tb<> larger steamers cannot be made with. any. degree of confidence' or certainty until the. port can offer berths suitable for these vessels when deeply laden. .■ .. . .

Mr. Bradney considered the absence of deeper, berthage was a reflection on tho Tho matter was referred to tho Works Committee. In the course of discussion, Mr. Bradfley considered tho absence of deeper .berthaw was a relleclloi. ....-the bourn Air. Napier laid the blame of not having deep water at tire door of former boards, but pointed out that the engineer had b»n dnins all.he could to provide deep water berthatre.' They expected shortly., to accommodate -the largest vesei'WaWe. It was expected that it won 1 It was hZ' to. have tm Queen Street Wharf suffi eiently well advanced to berth the Jamrt vessels The- difficulty thore lltin 7 "' ,ras -. <llsfn,lce from railway .faci^ cinmiUef r,7aS,referretlto^. W " ks