Construction of Harbors

Hokitika Guardian, 5 October 1922, Page 3

Construction of Harbors

central expert wanted. WELLINGTON, Sept. 20. When tlic annual report of the machinery inspection section ol tlu* ATarine Department was under consideration to-day. the Lender of the Opposition (Mr T. M. Wilford) asked When the lighthouses around the coast or New Zealand were last inspected, and whether the Secretary for Marine ever made a personal inspection of these lighthouses. He mentioned that Mr Allport, when Secretary for Marine, personally inspected the lighthouses and attended to the. requirements of the plant and the attendants. Mr Willord also asked whether the Government proposed to (rive effect to the resolution agreed to in 1918 that there should he appointed by tlin Government a marine enrcineer for the purpose of advising Harbour Boards, lie stated that huge sums running into millions had been expended by Harbour Boards, and in many cast's tlm money had been thrown away because there hail not been effectual supervision. Speaking as a former Minister for Marine, be was of the opinion that it would pay ,tlu* Dominion to have such an engineer. Several members interested hi artificial and other small harbours objected to* any such central control. This view was taken by Air Crnigie. who said that one of the great English marine engineers hail reported on till* proposal to construct the hnrboiu at Tiniarii. and his plans did not provide for accommodation for vessels of over 1000 tons. They had, however, gone on the advice of their own engineer, and constructed the present line harbour. The Minister of Marine (the Jloii. G. J. Anderson) said that the lighthouses were inspected by (faptain Billions every time he visited them with supplies, and quite recently Air Dinner, the chief clerk of the Department, had also gone round and made an inspection. The Minister said lie thought that the appointment of a:i engineer a s suggested would lie all very well if the financial position were oooil. However, the expenditure m the Maxine Department had gone up very consiiliirahlu, and he did not propose to further increase it. In any case he did not think that local districts would take kindly to being eoer- ■ c . e <] into doing what a central engineer suggested when the course proposed differed from the advice given by flip local engineer.