WAIRAU BAR

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 225, 17 June 1920, Page 5

WAIRAU BAR

GOVERNMENT ASKED FOR AID.

Years ago there was a regular if small shipping business carried on between Wellington and Blenheim Jiy the direct steamers running up the Wairau Rivor to tho town. Of later years this business has been interrupted owing to lick of water on tho Wairau Bar, and now it is quite discontinued. There is reported to bo only some 4ft. Bin. of water on the bar at present, and water of this depth is impossible for navigation. A deputation from the Wairau Harbour Board waited yesterday on the Minister of Marino (Sir William Hcrries) to ask for Government assistance in improving the bar. The scheme proposed was that groynes should be'constructed, and that scour of river and tide should be rolied upon to deepen the water. The advico given to' the board was that by the meaDs proposed a depth of lift, could be secured. The board had no resources, and since the discontinuance of trade, w income. Tho deputation wanted £&j!Q for tho work. Tho members of the board,_ it was stated, were willing to give their personal guarantee for ;£3OOO, and thev asked that the Government should provide tho other .£3OOO by way of subsidy. They also asked that the Government provido by way of loan, tho .£3OOO. for which they were prepared to givo their own guarantee. In support of the request it was urged that a great deal of the adjacent land would bo benefited by tho improvements.

The Minister said that the matter was one for consideration not only by the Minister of Marine, but by ths Minister of Finonco as well. He would have to oonsult his colleague on the matter, and In view of tho urgency of tho mattor he would make a point of giving it his attention at an early date.