Manawatu Herald TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1905. HARBOUR MATTERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3563, 22 August 1905, Page 2

Manawatu Herald TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1905. HARBOUR MATTERS.

Tits' replies given do Mr ‘‘Vifv. M.-il.-K., -.by the" Government reO J.l ■. v .1. lid.' cc'.' d; dv iAU-VtOU are not very' encoiiftigihg." It 'is' stated that the trade does not warrant the appointment of an assistant to the pilot, which means of course that vessels using the river will still have to- blunder along in the old way, finding a channel forUhemselves ami trusting to luck that they do not get stuck on the mud banks which impede navigation alter heavy rains. Regarding wharf extension, it may be - taken for granted that the Railway Department does; not contemplate doing anything, since it has ignored all reference" to the matter. A half-hearted promise is given that suggestions for the control of the port by a local body will be considered, but the Railway Wharf will not be included in this, which means that a local body, if formed, would under such circumstances be practically useless. We trust, therefore, that at the meeting of the Borough Council and the’Chamber of Commerce, to be held to-morrnv evening, some definite and workable scheme may be devised for submission to the Government. The importance of, the matter, to this town and district, as we have lately urged with, we fear, almost nauseating persistency, cannot be overestimated, and if inaction is going to in effect ruin the port then surely it is time stringent measures were taken. It is difficult to see just now what course is advisable, but no doubt from among the wisdom of many some effective plan of action may lie evolved. While on this subject we would point out the harm that is being caused to the river channel through the accumulation in places of vegetable matter from the various flaxmills along the river bank. There are those who consider this practice of putting the spoil in the river- is harmless, but the experience of those who have to use the channel tends to prove that the contrary is the fact. It is about time'the practice was effectually stopped.