(Published by Arrangement.) THE THAMES HARBOUR SCHEME.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4550, 13 April 1923, Page 2

(Published by Arrangement.) THE THAMES HARBOUR SCHEME.

A FEW SALIENT POINTS. It has been felt that there is still, in some quarters, a little opposition to the proposed Loan of £60,000 ; and it is firmly believed that the only reason for certain people opposing the raising of the Loan is because of a lack of knowledge of the actual facts. It will, therefore, not be amiss t 0 <et forth here, as briefly as possible, the details. --The Scheme has been thoroughly recommended by Mr J. Blair Mason, one of the most eminent Harbour Engineers in Australasia. Mr Mason has been responsible for the creation of a deep-sea port on the open West Coast at. New Plymouth, where, overseas liners now berth with ease. - -The scheme will cost not more than £60.,00 ! 0. —The present, revenue of the Board will provide amply for interest and sinking fund on £40,000 of the total amount. —lt is most unlikely that any rata to pay-for the Loan will have to be collected, but in order to be able to offer security to the lenders, of the amount of the Loan it is necessary for the Board to secure from the ratepayers the Power to rate. —ln New Plymouth, Wanganui, ami other places, where much larger sums have been raised, it has not. been found necessary to collect a fraction of a penny, the increased revenue of the various Boards being more than sufficient to meet all Loan charges. —The establishment of a port for Overseas vessels at Thames will enable farmers to save at least 50 per cent, on present railage charges to Auckland, which port, is distant from the centre of the Plains, Te Aroha, more than twice as long as Thames. The establishment of a deep-sea port at Thames will also enable farmers to effect an enormous; saving in railage charges on imported goods. —The scheme will benefit the whole of the Plains and nor Thames only. —The district is splendidly served with two rivers, and when a little improvement, has been effected to these rivers, water carriage to the Coast will be possible from Matamata on one side and Morrinsville on the other. Water carriage is, of course, always much cheaper than railage. —When the Plains become fully developed within the next few years it, will be impossible to "ail the increased produce to Auckland to shipment. Thus in a very short space of time the matter of having a deepwater port at Thames will have become an imperative necessity. —Consider these facts seriously and earnestly. Are you going to continue to pay excessive railage rates on your produce and on the goods you require, or are you going to support the Scheme and effect a saving of at least 50 per cent, and upwards ? —There is only one way to vote on the 26th. and that wav is FOR THE PROPOSAL.