CONTROL OF RIVER WHARVES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4429, 19 June 1922, Page 2

CONTROL OF RIVER WHARVES.

Sir, —In your issue of Friday last Mr. Harris, chairman of- the Thames Harbour Board, stresses .the advantage which would accrue to /this district if his were given control of all the Thames. River', and incidentally the collection of revenue therefrom. Now, Sir, one wojjld tjiinlt the Board could point, with; pride to its past record of progress, but the contrary is the case. , Turua wharf is the only attempt at modernising the Board’s assets, and it has some serious defects, such as< only one, vehicle at a time can unload or load at the wharf shed; also the iron walls are not protected, on the ipside, and consequently cargo is in direct contact and bulging the iron outwards. Mr. Harris mentions the advantage of being able to - use the Board’s plant,. Does he meari the obsolete Priestman and barges that his Board hires occasionally a,t extortionate rates from the Auckland Board ? or, has the Thames Board saved enough from its crippling rdte or- 2s (id a ton and 6d minimum! parcel rate to buy a new dredge of mobile, pattern? Sir, the Thames Harbour Board has not, by its past actions, shown any real interest in our river apart from the dues receivable. Last January the Merchant Service Guild of Australia, representing the masters and officers of; the Mercantile Marine, requested the Thames Board to erect leading lights to facilitate shipmasters .entering the Thames River at night-time. It was riot an expensive request, as the Guild’s , idea was an. additional light in line with Kopu light to lead clear of Shortland Spit, and thus bring the Thames River on a par with the Piako River, which has only one quarter the commercial tonnage of ite bigger sister. However, the Thames Harbour Board refused to entertain the request for leading lights, and consequently charterers of small vessels not well acquainted with the port have to pay an increased freight ori account o' having to work the port in daylight. Truly the Thames Harbour Boarl does not. impress one with its friendly interest in our navigation facilities, even if Mr. Harris has. NAUTILUS.