WESTPORT HARBOUR

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 52, 25 November 1926, Page 7

WESTPORT HARBOUR

MARINER SUGGESTS IMPROVEMENTS. Bi' Telegraph.—l’iiEss association. Westport, November 24. At a meeting oi tho Buller Progress League last night. Captain Radford, of the Clan McNeil, who was present by invitation, gave some of his impressions on the needs of Westport., stating these included berthage and more cranes. None of those on the wharf were suitable for loading Ihe bunkers of vessels like the Chin .ile.Neil. There was need for more swinging room, so ns to take in vessels up to -175 ft. in length. '1 he Clan McNeil was 125 ft. long, and she bad a cargo capacity of 500(1 fens. More bertlmge could easily be provided by extending the wharf lu the direction ot the dismantled slaitlis, and a greater depth of water on tlie bar could be obtained by mure constant dredging. At the tame time, Captain Radford said that lie wished to correct the impressions of Westport that were given to him in other ports, lie had found that the port was easily worked, the vessel was skilfully and easily swung, and the conditions generally were much more favourable than he was led to believe they were. If tho improvements mentioned were carried out he was sure (hat larger vessels would come to Westport, and >ts trade would rapidly expand. Tho league dcided to ascertain the views of others interested in tho trade of tho port, nnd have these embodied in a report for the purpose of moving I lie authorities to more activity in harbour improvement and equipment.