NEW HARBOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1933, Page 6

NEW HARBOUR

,AT BIG WANGANUI MOUTH. PROPOSALS FOR CONSTRUCTION. It is reported that a proposal ,i s well under way ibr the construction of a harbour at the mouth of the Big Wanganui river, which runs into the sea at a point approximately opposite Harihari, in South Westland. As is.the case with Okarito, this harbour would bi used for the export of timber, mainlj white pine, of which there are some splendid blocks in that district. The company behind the Big Wanganui. project, is a large North Island firm of butter box manufacturers, who make over three million butter boxes a year. It is their intention to make a harbour there and to ship the white pine direct to Auckland, where it would he made into boxes. If the project eventuates it is understood that the timber will not ho milled in South Westland. but cut into three foot lengths of rough timber and shipped in that- condition, to the box-factory. A party of the company’s 'representatives, recently spent some time in the locality, and besides securing options over several 'blocks oil timber, made a survey of the. mouth of the river, which at present has a depth of a little under ten feet. As far as can be . gauged, the company requires roughly nine million feet, of white pine, a year, to keep their factories going, and they are determined to draw upon the fine areas in South Westland as a source of supply. If this project is brought to a. successful conclusion, it, will he a decided acquisition to the Harihari district, which is at nresont thirty-five miles from the rail-head at Ross.