HARBOR AFFAIRS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1364, 27 January 1905, Page 3

HARBOR AFFAIRS.

Sip MR "WHINBAY’S ■ MOTION. A CHANGE OP POLICY URGED. jvgpl; COMMITTEE TO EEPOKT.

i l "At tho moating of the Harbor Board last :" ••.evoi.nog a lengthy discussion took plnco iu to tho policy being pursued by tho glßoard, tho following motion boiug moved by Mr Whinray:— f,' “Thilt in view of tho Overseer's report ; ra tho reported drift in tho bay, 6ho ehnugo ■ of-ourronts, and disposal of spoil, and the unsatisfactory working of tho drodger, the Board should at an early date rovlow the j .—question of harbor improvements, and any '• rucitarj: that may present themselves in the interest of harbor improvement gsnorally ; aloo os to tho advisability of obtaining a bucket dredger from soma of She defunct dredging companies.” i. Speaking to the resolution Mr Whinray said that tho subject was a largo and diversified one, containing many conflicting elomonts of doubt nud difficulty. Tho first thing that struck one was tha very large expenditure that was going on, ■juld not bo likely to meet their its in the near future, say seven >. That being ho considered rould be wise to conserve their or a more comprehensive and cheme. What was at present would never meet with the inipping demauds of this import- . Tho tendency all over tho ilvorld was to inorease the tonnage of ships, land what tho Board was doing would, under tho most favorable circumstances, only accommodate a few coasting schooners and lighters. Continuing, Mr Whiuray said, Our present facilities are in no way adequate to our shippiug requirements oven now, yet the ratepayers are paying a much increased harbor rate owing to increased values, an iniquitous wharfage rate, which has no equal in the colony, and perhaps, worst of all, a heavy lighterage rate with no finality in view upon the lines we are now pursuing. These imposts ara a distinct embargo upon lbe progress of the town and an injustice to the residents, who were lead long ago to believe that these haavy charges would have been greatly lessened. They have a

right to expect some compensating return from the shipping visiting the port, but owing to increasing tonnage the vessels Uy at anohor further from our shores than jsar, and the much vaunted theory that [?eol ships would lie alongside our breakwater is alas an exploded dream. Sven through passengers are prevented from Fishing our town, first through the disiance the'shipping anchors from shore,and he difficult and inadequate lighterage, md again the scandalous charge of 2s 6d or each passenger to oome ashore. This ast charge is unworthy of being tolerated md should be abolished. We are behind the imes with such au antiquated impost. Is reminds one of the toll of the old turoiike gate of 50 years ago, and the Board hould do its utmost to remove such a tigma from our town and port. What I hiuk should c um the iumiodi c.o attan ion of the Board is ho c)■ fi ci.ig reports ve hear through our overseer and other ibservers; re the probable drift of the poll back to the Wa ; kaua3 Beach, I am :oliably informed that there is considerable hallowing just outside tbs breakwater ihrough this drift and through the wave orce across the mouth of the channel, the rave fores beiug greater than the natural Irift from the west. Consequently these, wo conflicting elements are shallowing the rater entrance, and it will be a very seri>U3 matter and difficult to Heal with outside the shelter of the mole and break water. Is is a matter for the most urgent nvestigation. and the Board should not sit still with folded arms aDd say, “We lave the opinions of experts of 2 or 8 ?sars ago saying we are quite right in inrsuing our preseut course, and in this way fail to investigate the alarm that is jaing sounded.’’ I believe changes are inking place through the extension of the jroyne, and in this I ask that the Board should investigate through any and every available source, so that our efforts at im provement shall be a 3 efficient a.nd useful is possible. I feel considerable dividenco ia referring: to the large dredge owing to its affinity to our very worthy and energetic chairman ; hut allow me to say only ffiname : If the drege was as capable as lie gentleman whoso came it bears, we should have goad results, for a moro praiseworthy public servant does not exist in the colony. Again, is it not possible to acquire and equip a more efficient, cheap, and economical dredger on the bucket principle ? I c-m reliably informed that it is possible to secure machinery of a suitable cnaractor in some of the non-paying gold-dredging districts where operations have been suspended, and at a mere nominal cost. If the Board could effect a large saving in she removal of the spoil by some such oppliance, it should investigate and not lot as still go on lifting the bull over the gate, when by a little thought we might achieve much more at much less cost than at aresent. There are other aspects of tho question that should not be lost sight of, viz., the Haiti side of the river. The wharf, which has already bscra constructed, is quite upon wrong lines, both a 3 regards utility and economy. By following the shore lino as at present, we are destroying a valuable asset of the Board, as well a 3 rendering a scour of the river impracticable. If the wharf or training wall were erected nearer deep-water line, leaving sufficient room for swinging vessels, a i large area of valuable land would be reclaimed by depositing the spoil taken from the river. This would reduoe its cost of removal, at the aame time creating a valuable property—a combination of results 'the Board has not sufficiently studied or attempted to promote. In a few years Buoh reclamation would add largely to the revenue of the Board for more important works, if not for the relief of rates; the scour would be much promoted and largely aid the efforts of the dredge. But continued on present lineß we ore creating an area to be dredged of which our present

moans are quite id a aeuuu.t. • In conclusion, what I would ask is chat the Board should set up an investigating committee to review present P rofc P‘'° tl ''“ proposals, and ascertain woeibcr who., wo are doiDP, and contemplate doing, la likely ©to meet cur increasing requirements .’ and ■having done so, to formulate something thaf they think will, so that we may bend our resources to meet the changing and pressing necessities of our increasing shipping and not waste our energies and ►A means upon, what is recognised by a large “umber of thinking business men as a SseTeas expenditure on something we shal uae.eas £ in 6 i-, 0 De ar future to meet increasing requirements of the port. .. Let ns wake np. How many of us need a metalshow bath ? How many are in a “ 9 How many of us are mere machines —or how many of us realiy have a “ Lm.hr’ And further, how many L n/overdo any genuine thinking ? Here jj' » field for reflection, and then for fill hi O Q * _ rrf» “ itiot ?n

Mr Whinray said that it o£. foe conflicting reports that had * l l °Z received iu regard to the general aim in the bailor, it was certainly the flntv of the -Board to set the public mind d ? ty ? rn akin o' the fullest enquiry. As be could not let the ftCt - nft cq When m April last he ' brought the 'matter up ha was strongly broug gievwrißhfc, on whoso opposed by Mr r^ W out o’f 0 ’ f ordcr . H e Cd no doubt that bad that gentleman £ a or » m-osoDt fcbab evoniog ho would have V similar tactics. Passing on, Mr TOhfnrav ur"ed that some better method h^no ß ki° of tho soil from too river of d.sposi o Sq i n favor c( should be adopted- •^f'i!'' OT all and the i- of would be a reclaim! g CDPE iaerable revenue to the s ° ur °? In the pact tho Board had done nntWn- but spend money, and it was high ■" notbiD o »“* r d £o see from what :• - time they be obtained, directions r j n j 0 questions of when matters of roveDUO were beautifying , The subjeot was one Sj-.rfS «£• » duty bouua tc '.. sfeSWS .g , l u b h„rs..i.«., h, .bough.»».4 journment should be made. Mr Whinray agreed lo this doio, Mattbnwson said that from the firs v he had- had very decided opinions in « £ V gard tc harbor improvemsata. He coa ■L.' ••

tended that tho harbor was in the wrong place, nud sooner or later they must faoo tho difficulty. They must have a harbor to accommodate vessels of doop tonnage. Prom tho Penguin's chart they would see that if they built a harbor off Stony Point they oould rocoivo vessels of 40 foot draught. JHo contended that it was absolutely necessary for the Board to faoo tbo question of au outer harbor, understanding ° that it was the whole jJolioy of tho Board 1 that iUr Whinruy brought up. ? The Chairman :Mr Whinray has not 1 gouo boyoud our presout works. Ho says nothing about an outer harbor. B Mr Matthowson : If that bo tho oaso, I ’ shall sit down and withdraw all support ’ So Mr Whinray’s motiou. 1 Mr Whinray :It is the general po- | licy, of the Board 1 am discussing, and our requirements in seven years’ time. Mr Matthewson said that, unless ho was allowed to go over the whole ground of the best works to be adopted by, the Board in the interest of tho port, lie did pot care to trespass further on, the. time of the Board. Not receiving any assurance from Mr Whinray* Mr Matthowson resumed his seat. Mr Cooper was disappointed with i Mr Whinray,’s motion, also, consider- ] ing that it did not go far enough. Ho considered that tho Board in

the past sought the best possiblo I advice* and at the present time it | Was impossible l'or. them to say, the scheme being pursued was not the right one. " There was much in Mr Whin ray’s remarks that ho approved and a great deal that ho disapproved of. He was altogether against the reclamation: o£ laud on the ICaiti side or the river, but he supported the mover ol' ."the resolution in; regard to tho question of machinery. Mr Hepburn went into a good deal of back' history, detailing events loading up to the appointment of Mq Napier Bell to report on harbor Works. At that timo they all agreed rto abido by what was recommended", by Mr Napier Bell, Mr Matthcwson : No;, you are |

(wrong—l never agreed'. Mr Hepburn : However. .that Is tho i)olicy, that I have always adopted, and the one that I stood for election o-n, and will adopt if I stand again-. The Chairman said that there was

more room in the harbor now, than there had ever been before. He contended that the new dredge had done good work. The outward freight .of .tho merchandise and products from the port compared favorably with any place in New Zealand. They did not want to send live stock away,, being content to send it away dead. The little harbor had come up to expectations and it was unwise to try, and curtail it. He did not desire to block any discussion, They could make ail investigations they cared to do so. For the expenditure on their plant they bad bad good results. The work Jiad been done on good lines, an-u at a cheap rate. In regard to the calculations made by Mr Whinray, and dated ISBB, it was not to be expected that they should come out. At that time they were going borrowing, and the estimate had been formed on the most flowery

lines. If they narrowed the river they simply spoiled it for all purposes. He was quite satisfied that the common sense of the people world not permit this to be done. He was as much disappointed with the dredge as any other member, for he expected it to take to sea four loads a day, whereas it only took two-. On. the whole he thought the outlook' very favorable. Mr Matfehewson seconded the- motion pro forma. He urged that the Board should use their own com-

mon sense in matters pertaining to the harbor. Men who h-ad travelled

and lived .for 35 years on the Coast knew far more about the requirements of the port than- did Mr Napier Bell or any other engineer. He coaid not draw out plans, hut on general

matters and Jooal knowledge he considered himself competent to place his opihioo against that of any en-

gineer. . 1 Mr Cooper supported the setting ulp of a committee, aad after further discussion, the motion' was unanimously carried. On the motion of the Chairman, Messrs Matthews-on, Whinray, Hepburn, and Cooper were appoi-nted members .of the committee. Replying at some length, Mr Whinray warned the Board that in a short time a bank would form at the ed of the breakwater. He contended that the Board were not- proceeding on proper lines, and the soonerthey roused- themselves the better. They all took things for granted, and were content to fall back on engineers, who knew, less than they did themselves. The Board adjourned at 11.10