LOCAL PORT AND SHIPPING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2832, 10 January 1925, Page 2

LOCAL PORT AND SHIPPING.

MORE PROGRESSIVE POLICY URGED. A lengthy dismission took place at ast night’s Chamber of Commerce meeting on matters in connection with the local port and shipping. Mr MeMurray suggested that a more progressive policy should 1 ) be undertaken by the Harbour Board. He did not think that the Board should be hampered in raising a loan for improvements by reason of a promise made to ratepayers some years ago that they would not be rated. Things had changed since then and the ratepayers should be given an opportunity to vote for or against a. loan proposal for harbour improvements.

Mg, Perreau said shipping would he facilitated if Ihe wharf was shifted to the Heads. This would overcome the necessity for dredgng the upper reaches of the river.

Mr Hornblow said the only means of improving the fairway and bar would be by erecting training walls to confine tbe water at (he heads, which now spread over a wide area. The cost of such work would he considerable and run into at least £lO- -

The Mayor: A quarter of a million. Other members referred to the diversion of steamers to other ports and the delay in getting- goods through the port, and the railway. It was also pointed out that coal could was also pointed out that coal for the railways could be more economically brought through the port than by rail.

The general opinion was that until (he fairway and bar were improved, shipping companies would not lake the risk of entering the port regularly. The following motion was carried“ That while this Chamber appreciates the work done by the Harbour Board, it would respectfully request the Board to take into consideration the proposal to elect protective works to ensure a permanent fairway in the river.” The secretary was instructed to advise the Palmerston North Chamber of the motion and to ask whether any progress had been made in procuring another steamer for the Ira do.