WANGANUI HARBOUR

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 11111, 8 May 1911, Page 3

WANGANUI HARBOUR

SCHEMES. -j.

NEW EOAIiD MEETS. (By Telegraph.-Special Correspondent.} Wanganui, May (i. The newly-elected Harbour Board found a largo amount ot business waiting ior its first meeting last evening, and it was alter U o'clock before it rose. Mr. J. ii. ■Hurray was unanimously re-elected chairman, all tho members tcstityiug eulogistically to his ability and the time and trouble he had. devoted to the duties of the position in the past. Alter the transaction of a large amount of business of a general nature tho pilot's report was read, showing that a minimum depth of l!) feet in the bar channel, with 21 feet in places, had been maintained, in spite of a lair amount of heavy westerly weather. A berthage depth of 15 feet was reported at Castlceliff Wharf, where the recent shoaling had been successfully coped with, and to a large extent removed. The engineer's report showed that pile-driving on tho south molfi was now completed for the full length cf 3200 feet, and tho laying of stone at the end of the mole'was now approaching completion. The work of finishing off tte north mcle, 280 feet of which has been left uncompleted till tho south mole was finished, will shortly, be resumed. Tho engineer recommended a certain amount of dredging in the river channel, between Castleciifi and the towxi, and the board decided that sufficient be dono to give a. working depth of 11 Icet C inches along, the whole of the sailing course,'that being sufficient for present requirements in that part of tho harA letter wa3 received from the Marine Department approving of the plans which tho board proposes to carry out in the shape of extensions to the present works at Castlecliif. The most' important step, taken by the meeting was in answer to'the election pledge given by most of tho members that not only would the Castlecliff scheme- go on, but that tho cost of making the. harbour at .the town would also be iiwvshgated and reported on. The question o engaging, an engineer for the work caused considerable discussion, two of the members considering that an. engineer from outside New Zealand, or at least one wno had never previously done work for tho board, should be engaged.. It was pointed out, however, that the board desired to get an Empowering Bill through. Parliament this session, and to get a man from \ustralia would involve so much delay that the opportunity would undoubtedly be lost. Eventually it was decided to engage Mr. Leslie Reynolds and that on his report being sent in the Government he asked to allow Mr. Holme?,. Engineer-in-Chief of the Public Works Department, to go into it: and approve or condemn as he thought fit. . With this matter out of the way the board then passed a resolution that immediate steps be taken to prepare an Empowering Bill authorising the borrowing of £200,003; the Bill to be so framed 'that the money be available for the construction of a 'harbour at either the town or Castlecliff, whichever is decided on.