THAMES HARBOUR.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4473, 29 September 1922, Page 2

THAMES HARBOUR.

Sir —The Thames Star of September 21 published a statement abbot, the most unlooked-for opposition frpm Mr Bennett, chairman of the Turua Town Board, Turua is well served from Auckland by direct boat, and at least 80 per cent, of the goods landed at Turua wharf come direct from Auckland, not from Thames. If a harbour was built at Thames, would not Turua and Paeroa goods have to be transshipped at Thames ? Therefore, what has either Turua or Paeroa to gain from a . harbour , at the place mentioned 1 The Thames Star also states that the Thames Harbour Board spent practically all their reserves in'building a wharf at Turua. We will admit that this is real .hard on the above tody, but would it not be fairer to gfyp the ratepayers of this district a. statement of the amount expended on the upkeep of the wharf at Turua for the past 30 years, not to mention the dues collected, especially for the last two years. I trust that the business people and farmers of the Plains and surrounding districts will not forget that they have one of the finest harbours in the world a few hours’ steam away, witn docks, cold storage, freezing works, wharves, eft., and Home liners calling all the year round to take produce < away Thames would'have to, build the items mentioned above, ahd they would only cost a few millions of money—that is, if they are going to\ make their harbour a success. The ratepayers will have to find the interest on the loan money, and possibly it will work out the same ns the New Plymouth Harbour loans. Interest has been paid on loans for the past fifty years or more at New Plymouth, and after al’ these years they only require a few more mTHohs to complete their scheme. Trusting that the ratepayers will awaken to the fact that a harbour at Thamies will only benefit one place—Thames. M. C. LUKE. Turua. 26/9/22.