THE HARBOUR BOARD

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2119, 9 April 1914, Page 8

THE HARBOUR BOARD

MASTERLY CHVHI INADEQUATE ACCOMMODATION? On all sides it- h agreed that the opening of the Panama Canal will lead to a great development of shipping and trade in Australasia and •. wharf and sterago accommodation will bo needed to meet the expansion. In view of this ' tho conversation a .representative of .Tits Dq.mj.niox had with a proiiJHient ' merchant who has had experienco on ! Wellington's Harbour Board., and is is close touch with the financial and com* mercirtl affairs of the city, is of interest ' On being asked what sio thought <if I the situation.-ho replied: "Notmueh!" ! and went on' to explain that since iho ! retirement of its late ablo cngittcer and secretary, Mr. William Ferguson, thei policy of the Wellington Harbour Board, so far as wharf accommodation is eon- ', cerncd, might he truly characterised as [_ ob* of masterly inactivity. Unless Uvo ') members of tlio hoard aroused, through public opinion, from their somnolent condition, tire outlook for this port was moat unsatisfactory. This is a strong indictment? veil' '' turod tho reporter. "It is," obserwdtlvt* critic, "but it 1 is not more than is deserved. In a *■ slimpiiiK centre such as Wellington, ac- ' conintodation should always providc_ a; ' margin between actual and prospective ! requirements, but this principle is ap- - 1 parently not recognised by tlio hoard." I Perhaps the board regards the uresfinfc: 3 accommodation as ample for immediate ■ j requirements ?. "That may bo so, but in that- caso J the members of tho board Are lacking ] I in powers ©f observation.- Tho trado of I tho port lias expanded to suck an ex-1 ? tent that, on mo*© tlnwi owe occasion i recently, oversea vessels ha-vo had to ho ° nnt in the .stream awaiting tlio allotment of a berth. A»d if tins is tho " position to-day what may Wo_ expect within-the next rrve years, with thu'. ' gteafc expansion which will unquestion- ' ably take place through the opening of i the Panama Canal, and the dfevolop- '■■ i meat of trade with North America, which is growing by leaps and bourn's? .) The Auckland Harbour Board, foresee-. ing these potentialities, embarked oil a progressive policy years ago, with the resfl.lt that Auckland, .as a, pott, now occupies tlio pi'ido of place- in .tho feiata ter of wharf and shed accommodation, '> and Wellington lags behind," , Surely the board intends doing isrj.tr.e- ---* thine? "It does! From time to time refor- ' enees have made to a wharf it is ' ? 'intendgd' to _ build east- of tlio King's l Wharf], but' it is obvious that tho te-; a nuircsmmts of the port will Hot be.met; 0 with 'intentions.' When the board aea tuallydoes proceed with the erection of ® tho Pipitca Wharf, it mast be fdnjeins bored that the work will occupy not 0 loss. than five years from tlii> letting 'J of the contract." 7' Then you consider the position grave? . f "I do! It is absolutely imperative in the interests of all concerned, that thea board should take immediate steps te 0 recover tost ground. As it is, Weilsngc ton is bound to sudor in comparison * with Auckland for the want of hwsiftcss » acumen by our hoard." Surely some bla.nw rests with _ tho. 0 office-i* of the .board for not pressing s this matter for attention? * "The officers ttayo done their duty v in this respect. The Harbourmaster,, *} Captain Johnson t is fully -seized with tlio gravity- of tho-situation, and for .'' confirmation of this one has only te toad 1 the annual reports-presented to the Z board■ byhrrn. His Teennitnendatiojis hiivo net received the careful attention ■ : they deserve. The.blame! tests 1 oiitii-e- ---■" ly with the board, awtythe' sooner tho r members recognise, this tho bettor." i Tho position, briefly stated, is ■ that . .we liftv-e . just • about sufficient wharf * and shctl accommodation to. meet tho hare necessities of the moment,, and no margin to cflpa with afty pressure of shipping? y. "That is so. And it must bo renrem* *> bered that what te'day is an S"on.ormal J demand will to-morrow become tho uor-- ■ ma-1 situation. 'Sou cannot Set a l*ujit ? to tho expansion of this port."