WANGANUI HARBOUR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 990, 3 December 1910, Page 4

WANGANUI HARBOUR.

A VISITOR'S VIEW OF THINGS.

The improvements at Wanganui Harbour, writes a recent visitor,, havo not, as yet, proved quite the success originally expected. This is partially due to the change of policy ,by succeeding boards. At first tho deepening of the river channel insido the heads was sought by half-tide training walls. Before success was' there obtained a board arose which sought to improve the channel outside and to protect the heads. This again has met with a measure of success, but neither proved of much practical advantage to shipping. On effluxion of time, the revenue of the board, with its accumulated sinking funds, e'nabled'jt to pay off its first loan, and, impressed with the need to accommodate London steamers, and by the increase of transhipping charges in Wellington, the board is now once moro striving to improvo its river entrance. Tho schemo is to narrow the outsido channel, already protected on the north by a half-tide wall and partially by a similar wall oil tho south. So far as tho latter has been carried out, it is. claimed to have had a satisfactory effect, both on tho channel and on the bar, although the point has not as yot been reached where tho advantage of tho river and tidal scour cai» bo fully dotei mined. Detracting from tho problem is tho southward coastal movement of sand, which, passing., over tho low north ■ wall, deposits in t-lio channel. Tho engineer is confident that tho scour will not only prevent this from sett-ling,' but, frill also deepen tho. channel as sought, and, further, that by carrying these wails out to deep water, a channel sufficient for tho desired snipping caif be provided and at no unreasonable cost. There is a great area of inland country being opened up for tho produce of which Wanganui is already the most convenient outlet by steamers .loading off tho bar. If, in addition m the loss of theso exports, the imports were also lost to Wellington, it is useless to say they would not bo missed; still, the right cannot bo denied to every district to uso the utmost endeavour to promote its special interests. Meanwhile it is understood that the board awaits the effect of the scour after the present extension' of the south wall before deciding upon tho ' contemplated larger works.. .