THE HARBOUR SCHEME.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4555, 24 April 1923, Page 3

THE HARBOUR SCHEME.

delegation at ngatea. - Members of the Thames Harbour Board’s delegation again visited Ngatea on Monday last. There was an attendance of about 50, and Mr G. T. Davidson was elected chairman. Members of the opposition camp at Turua were much in evidence, and asked most of the questions. The delegation spoke on the same lines as at other places, as previously reported in the "Gazette,” but also dealt with a few matters not previously stressed. In the course of his remarks Mr Harris, chairman; of ; the Board; said that at present £7OO a year was spent on keeping the berth for the Wakatere; clear. The improvement scheme would do away with this. The present revenue of the Board was £5OOO a year, and double the port business could be done with the same overhead charges. The increased port facilities would only have to provide an increase in revenue of £l3OO per annual tp pay the interest and sinking fund on the. loan. Messrs Adams, Claxton,, and Danby also addressed the meeting and dealt with the subjects as already reportedWhen question time came Mr Wtiiy asked the chairman to explain a section of the Act. Mr Harris said that, the £60,000 was the first instalment of the £275.000 loan; Mr Willy asked the authority for borrowing £60,,000 when the Act stipulated £275*000. Mr Harris replied tthat legal advice had; been obtained. Tn- answer to Mr Willy and Mr McMillan, Mr Harris said that the payment for propaganda in various oapers was not. coming cut of the Board’s funds. The Board had not authorised the propaganda, and could nott'givc any idea of where it was coming from. It was a case of "save me from my friends.” Mr Willy asked if the Board would take steps to refute "these deliberate lies; in the ‘Herald’ and other papers.” Mr Harris replied that the Board did not publish anything but <he truth. They spoke nothing but the truth when travelling about the country, and their addresses were reported in the papers. If their opponents stated anything on the public platform that, was false they took steps to place the correct-facts before the people. He did not know the source of the propaganda, and neither did the Board. In reply to Mr Willy, Mr Adam» said that Mr Blair Mason had said that 3ft of water could be made available to Kopu for £39,000', but. it would need a huge expenditure to keep the channel through the sandbar open. In answer-to Mr Willy, Mr Adams said that Mr Blair Mason’s report showed a port in evolution, so that the Harbour Board could make its harbour according to its funds. The present scheme was Mr Mason’s put. into a concrete form.- The balance of the £270,000 would chiefly be for more dredging. In reply to Mr. Dent, Mr Harris said that the whole of the engineer's report had been read to the Board with the exception of the specifications for the bucket dredge, which the meeting; decided was not necessary. Mr Coulter was present at the meeting. Mr Willy asked what had become of the revenue derived in the past. Mr Harris replied that the Turua wharf had. been, built, and the Board had to spend £7OO a year in dredgii.? the berth for the Wakatere. In reply to Mr McMillan Mr Harris said that the Board did not enlarge its rating area. That was done by the Royal Commission. The Piako County had asked that Matamata County be included, and the Commission had agreed. Mr G. T. Davidson asked for an assurance that the harbour would not need constant dredging. Mr Adams said that the enclosing walls, would prevent the necessity of recurring dredging. The tide deflectors recently erected at Auckland had done ' away with the necessity of dredging the berthage there. The 900yds from the entrance to the fathem line was different, as this was always covered with water, it. was a well-known engineering fact that where a channel was dug in mud and protected by a water cushion from wave action it would not silt up. Mr Daivdson said the same argument had been brought up at New Plymouth, yet experience had proved otherwise. He contended that the argument was weak, and that some provision should be made for di edging. Mr Adams said that the trouble at New Plymouth was the sand drift, but at Thames the sand was . a mile away. The tidal currents in the gulf were of a low velocity. The channel in the mud at Bayswater had not filled in. Mr Blair Mason had chosen the site as one that would not require recurring l dredging. There being no further questions Mr Willy proposed that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded the delegation for the address. He said that all did not. agree with them, but were glad -to hear both sides of the question. . The motion was seconded by Mr T. Parle and carried by acclamation. . The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair. OPPOSITION TO THE SCHEME. A delegation consisting of Messrs D. G. McMillan, Willy, and Madgwick has-been holding meetings throughout the Plains during the past few days in opposition to the proposal of the Harbour Etoard. Stress was la’d on the fact that the Board had, within the week, thrown over the expert proposition. As Thames would not be used for export the Plains would still have to use the river service, even if the loan were carried. If both ports (Auckland and Thames) were used the ships would have to run one way empty, and this would add considerably to the freights. In Mr Blair Mason’s scheme 2ft more depth of water was given at Kopu than was now proposed at Thames at no cost to the ratepayers,