WANGANUI WHARF ACCOMMODATION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9149, 19 May 1908, Page 5

WANGANUI WHARF ACCOMMODATION.

A SPIRITED PROTEST. Per Press Association. Wanganui, May 18. One of the largest and most representative meetings of the Chamber of Commerce was held this morning to protest against the reply of the Minister of Railways granting only half the additional wharf shed accommodation asked for. Strong exception was taken to his prediction that the trade of the port would suffer by competition with the Main Trunk Line, the opinion unanimously expressed being that no port on the coast would benefit to a greater extent as the difference in the length of the .lines from Wanganui, Auckland and Wellington to Taihape, Marton and Ohakune was largely in favour of Wanganui. Figures were quoted showing that the trade of the port had largely increased fully justifying the accommodation asked for. It was constantly happening that vessels were stuck up for several days unable to discharge cargo for lack of accommodation, and the trouble was likely to be still further accentuated in the future.

Mr Hogan, M.P., sent a strongly worded protest to the Minister pointing out the above facts and the Chamber passed a similar resolution. There is great dissatisfaction here and throughout the district as town and country business people are suffering severely from inconvenience and loss through delay in discharging cargoes, and the obstinacy of the Railway Department is much condemned.