OVERLAND FREIGHTS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1924, Page 3

OVERLAND FREIGHTS

R AIL WA VS V. SEA CARRIAGE. GKEV HARBOUR BOARD’S POSITION. “Have you heard anything yet as to when the engineers will bring down the report on the Harbour improvement Mr Chairman t 1 asked Ml |emiem al last night's meeting of the Harbour Board at Oreynmnrh, says the “Argus.”

Proceeding. Mr Tenueiit said that now the railway were taking over the tunnel an immediate reduction in charges could be expected, and the Board would have to do something to compete with Canterbury. “H we do not make some improvements in the port.” he said, "we will have to meet the position of rearranging our lurid. The matter was most urgent, he said, and the Board could not hope to compete with the low rates oi the railwav, and cninsotjui.'uL reduction in charges unless the port was improved.

The Chairman (Mr •>. Steer) said he was sorry that the report of the eti<rineers had not come helnrc the Board before this, but Utey were delayed through not being able to get ail the data thev needed as quickly as possible. The’ illness of Mr E. TV. Eurket. one of the engineers, had also lw-lpt-d to bold up the report. He bad done what be personally could to hurry it up. Mr CL A. Perry said that lie had made a study of the railway charges and the railway could not compete, except in heavy goods. In regard to sue It goods as fertilisers, colonial produce ot all sorts, and case goods ill eeneral. these could Ik- carried a» easily by sea as by rail, ami much more cheap!v by the former. Mr Tonnent said that when the railway charges were readjusted, the Board would have to make changes m its tariffs. When the tunnel was taken over by the railway, it would be possible to send timber to Dunedin as cheaply by rail as by sea. and he asserted that be would be sending the timber that way. It was up to the Board to compete. Mr Leitcli: “You cannot compete with the railway in coal, anyhow. It is oiilv a short time.” he conclude! smilingly, “before there is no coal going over the bar at all. 11l '>et■ >«« what von like that all the ships will be bunkering in Lyttelton!” (Laughter).