WARSHIP AT DARGAVILLE

Evening Star, Issue 22459, 2 October 1936, Page 12

WARSHIP AT DARGAVILLE

NAVIGATING WAIROA RIVER [Pm Unitid Fsxss Akociatiok.] DARGAVILLE, October 2. Any doubts about the possibility of safely navigating Northern Wairoa River with H.M.S. Leith, which, is is proposed, should visit Dargaville in February, have been dispelled by soundings taken by tbe harbourmaster (Captain C. V. Stanich). The warship has an overall length of 267 ft and a draught of not more than 10ft, and will be to negotiate the river without any difficulty at high tide. There will be no trouble experienced in turning her for the return trip. The Borough Council, which is responsible for the proposed visit, had hoped that the warship would be able to berth at the Dargaville wharf, but soundings reveal that, unless the depth of water increases, this will not be possible. The depth of water at various points is constantly changing, and. although there is only Bft of water at the wharf at low tide at the present time, this may increase, or. on the other hand, it may shoal. If berthing at the Dargaville wharf is out of the question when the time arrives for the Leith’s visit, it is considered that sufficient water will be available at either the Northern Wairoa Dairy Company’s wharf, the Kaipara Steamship Company’s wharf, or the Kaipara Steamships Company’s coal wharf. No definite soundings sufficient to indicate the usual depth of water at these wharves have yet been taken, but this work will bo curried out when the time for the visit draws nearer*