FLOATING DOCK FOR WELLINGTON

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 203, 22 May 1919, Page 6

FLOATING DOCK FOR WELLINGTON

NECESSITY URGED DISCUSSION AT THE HARBOUR BOARD The necessity for the provision of a floating dock, berth at Thorndon was urged by Mr. \V. Cable at last night's meeting of the Wellington Harbour Bcord. Mr. Cable moved:—"That the engineer be instructed to revise tho plans of the Thorndon reclamation, so as to make provision therein for a Moating dock berth, with acccss. The wholo to be embodied in the finished reclamar, tion scheme, ftnd that the board take tho necessary steps to ask that Parliamentary powers be grunted to the board, so that the work can be proceeded with iwhen the board decides to do so."

Speaking to the motion, Mr. Cable submitted that whatever difference of | opinion existed amongst tho members as to the necessity for tho immediate installation of a floating dock, he wished to call their attention to the, importance of hiking steps to make provision for the dock's accommodation and having it embodied in the still unfinished plans of the Thorndon reclamation. These plaus were to cover tho extreme limit of the reclamation, and, by agreeing to the motion, the 'board would be able to complete the entire scheme, and thus save money and time. Members would clearly -understand that his motion did not commit the board to any outlay of capital at present; but only t» the expense of amending the plan's. He took it that legal., and other expenses would bo coveren by those incurred in connection with the present reclamation scheme. All he asked was that the.y should take advantage of the present opportune time for pushing these preliminary matters on to. a workable stage. To his mind, the question of the probable earnings of the deck, or what it would cost the board annually, need not trouble the members at present. "I, have evory confidence in the ability of the board to finance the dock by' the time it arrives, which can only be dono after tho berth has been prepared and finished, and that w.ould take a considerable time," said. Mr. Cable. "I look forward to a greatly-increased revenue for the board in the near future, so eoon as the world's affairs resume their normal condition." He asked members to realise the important position the Wellington Harbour holds to-day in connection with the Panama Canal. It was now, and would continue to be as time passed, one of the most important ports of call in the world's great circular trade Toute connecting Great Britain. Europe, America, New Zealand, Australia. South .Africa, and other countries. A dock in Wellington, from its central position, would draw trade and bring work end prosperity to the workers and business neople 'of this city What, had the Wellington Harbour Board dono in the way of providing facilities for tho repairs of vessels during these forty years? Nothing. The Patent Slip was the "Cobb's coach" of Wellington Harbour. The steamer Bessa mishap emphasised the unfortunate position the ■port was 111. The cost of the temporary repairs and the great loss of time to the vessel, and the expense of undoing this work before commencing the permanent repairs, would amount to many thousands of pounds. This would have been saved had tho port had up-to-date equipment, and tho rovenue would liavo been benefited, by several thousands in dock dues; overseas ships would bring revenue to the dock regularly, as at present had to dock elsewhere. Captain C. M'Arthur seconded the motion;

Mr. C. H. Chapman supported tile motion.. In his opinion a" dock would be absolutely necessary in the future

Mr. .T. G. fobbe regretted (lint Mr. Cable had not. gone into statistics to show whether the proposition would bo sound from a financial point of view. If the motion were carried as it stood at present it might appear that the board would bp committed to tho construction of a dock.

Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P., thought that Mr. Cable should show whether the dock would be payable or not. It seemed to him that some docks in New 7,saland were noj; payable propositions. But, if it could'be shown that a dock in Wellington < would pay its way, then Mr. Cable would have prove/1 his ca6o -The speaker wanted to know whether there would be sufficient work for a dock in Wellington. Might not the charges in Wellington he so high that the owners of a -damaged ship would prefer to have her repaired temporarily and sent Home to the Old Country for permanent repair? ,

Mr. C. M. Turrcll pointed out the geographical. advantages Wellington enjoyed in so far as a dock project was concerned. The board should keep that fact in mind, because Wellington was destined to become the greatest port in the Dominion. Voices: II; is now. The resolution was carried unanimously.