OKARITO NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 2 June 1926, Page 4

OKARITO NOTES

(From a Correspondent)

Tin- A.K. Elsie trading between Hokitika and Okuru was obliged to run into Okarito on Saturday morning for repairs. She was loaded with general merchandise and had on hoard also six head of cattle and a number of pigs. A mishap to one of her engines compelled the captain to roil into Okarito harbour. Fortunately tho Ketch was equipped with twin engines and the weather favourable, otherwise the vessel might now be piled up on the North Beach. The damaged part of the engine was taken to Hokitika by car on Saturday hut it was found impossible to effect repairs except by making a temporary connection to the bilge pump. This was carried out by the engineer on hoard and the Ketch resumed her journey at 2.40 this (.Monday) morning, the bar at Okarito being in a condition that left nothing to ho desired, and the weather oil its best behaviour.

The Ketch is equipped with two ] engines of 15 h.p. each but it would he quite safe to say that the two engines combined are not capable of developing 26 li.p. and it appears almost certain tli:'t if her recent breakdown had taken place during rough weather and at a distance from shelter the vessel would now lie a wreck. The Captain and tile crew arc to be congratulated upon their good luck, and upon their skilful handling of the vessel when running under the power produced by one obsolete and worn-out engine. An effort is being made to raise sufficient, capital to instal new and more powerful engines and make such alterations to the vessel as will enable space to he provided for twenty head of cattle, and also accommodation for a few passengers but so far the response has not been so ready as might have been expected. The Marine Department proposes almost immediately to make a further survey of Okarito Harbour and it will only lie a matter of time until the erection ol the necessary training wall is commenced. Surrounded as it is by such n. large area of timber lands, where. Ihe logs can he conveyed by scows or towed in raft to Hie mills, Okarito Harbour is destined one day fn he one of the busiest ports on the AYosfc Caost. |

The Til irbour even ns it is is quite good enough to permit of a regular service from Greymoutli or Hokitika. All that is required is that the Elsie should he fitted up with two crude oil engines say of 45 h.p. each. She could then proceed to sen at any time and then she should he run to a time table. II the residents of South Westland could depend upon the regular running of the vessel a payable trade would soon he developed. As it is the venture is languishing and will unless some energy and a comparatively small amount of capital is forheoming, soon end in disaster and the loss of the vessel. Good’success waits just round the corner until those who have control " ipo away the cobwebs from their eves and instill suitable engines in the vessel. run a regular service to a time table. The old saying that “The public will make a beaten path to the door of the man who gives good service,” is especially applicable here.