THAMES HARBOUR.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4489, 8 November 1922, Page 1

THAMES HARBOUR.

THE SCHEME CRITICISED. OPINION AT NETHERTON. “ WONDERFUL PLACE, THAMES !” The Thames Harbour Scheme was criticised at a meeting of; the Nether,ton Ratepayers’ Association on Saturday evening. Mr J. A. Reid said they were all interested in the Thames Harbour Scheme, and asked Mr A. Chatfield (Hauraki. Plains county councillor), who was present, to what extent they would benefit.

Mr Chatfield said the Council had wished the Harbour rate to be %d and a commission had fixed It. at %d. Some of the councillors were in favour of; the Harbour scheme, but not all of them. Harbour matters had not. been discussed in council, Mr Reid asked for Mr Chatfield’s oWn views on the Thames Harbour Scheme.

Mr Chatfield said a booklet had been printed in connection with the scheme, and the bluing was very nicely got up. Personally he would vote against the scheme. He may change his views in a few years’ time. It

was a few years top soon. Comparisons could not be drawn with the Gisborne Harbour. A harbour scheme was the best way of dropping sovereigns down a sink. Mr Harms ’said the mudbanks at Thames were always shifting. Thames would never have .a harbour,. No sooner was it made than it would silt up again. Mr H. Hare said they could do without the Thames Harbour and the Kirikiri bridge. The railway would be a benefit to them. The Thames had a big idea of what a wonderful place Thames was—big boats sailing in and picking up produce. If the Thames Harbour Scheme was' got going they would have to build freezing works and suc,h like.

Mr R. H. Heappey said it took a boat six or seven weeks to get out from Home and eight or ten weeks to load at the New Zealand ports. If a boat went only to Auckland it could do more trips in a year. The curse to. New Zealand shipping was g'oing round all the small ports. Auckland should be the main port for the Hauraki Plains. The canals being, put in on the Plains could be utilised. Older countries were spending a lot of money on waterways. Here they were wasting money on railways'. Ngatea could be made a centre for the Plains, and goods could be delivered along the canals and waterways. A Voice: How about the Thames middleman ?

Mr Reid said when the matter of high freights came before the House Mr Massey had remarked on the loss of time boats had going round all the small ports, and ye.t Thames was trying to get a harbour. It was ridiculous trying to build a port within 4.0 miles of Auckland, which had all the up-to d.ate equipments.