WORKS WOULD BENEFIT HAWKE'S BAY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 45, 16 November 1937, Page 6

WORKS WOULD BENEFIT HAWKE'S BAY

In a statement made this morning, the chairman of "the Napier Harbour Board, Mr Trevor M. Geddis, said that with the necessary finance available. and with the project backed by leading farming interests in Hawke's Bay, tho negotiations reached a stage about 12 months ago when it was expected that finality had been attained, but before the establishment of the works could be proceeded with, a licence was required from the Government. "Kepresentations were made to the Napier Harbour Boardt and the varioug overtures resulted in the wishes of the promoters being met in regard to tho rate to be eharged for the phosphate landed from Nauru Island. Agreement was also reached in regard to the provision of a teite for the works, the rental to be eharged for the site, . and in regard. to general matters connected with thq establishment of the works. "In its excellent position in relation to the new breakwater harbour now in course of construction, it was considered that the site set aside for the pu'rposes of the works was a key site and was superior, in view of its innumerable advantages, to any existing site in New Zealand. With the assistance of conveyors on the Glasgow whdrf, fock phosphate shipped to Napier from Nauru Island could be taken direct into the works from the ship's side." - Mr Geddis said that it would bo 1mpossible to assess in. mere pounds %hillings ahd pence the 'value to che district of sueh a project. Hand in hand with the harbour development scheme now on the road to realisation, and the East Coast railway linked with the north, its progress and growth would still benefit directly or indirectly all classes of the eommunity. In a comparatively shcrt space of time members of the farming eommunity throughout the East Coast, with the establishment of fertiliser works at Napier, would liaye available ckeap supplies promptly delivered. ' ' To both railway and harbour sehemes the establishment of the works would bring benefit in the shape of increased revenue, a fact that would reflect its benefit throughout the eommunity. Further, the fillip which would b'e iraparted to industrial activity in the Hawke's Bay province may readily. be imagined. ' '