Historic Russell Celebrates Progress

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 65, 8 June 1927, Page 9

Historic Russell Celebrates Progress

LIBRARY AND WHARF OPENED BY MINISTER (From Our Own Correspondent .) RUSSELL, To-day. Yesterday the Hon. G. J. AndersoD, Minister of Marine, who is accompanied by Mrs. Anderson, arrived by the Clansman from Auckland. They are staying until Thursday morning and had a very rough trip from Auckland, but the weather cleared up with sunshine about eleven. At noon the Harbour Board met the Minister in the harbourmaster’s office to consider the prevention of Seine net-fishing and trawling within the Bay of Islands. Mr. Anderson was very sympathetic and promised to see what could be done. The hoard also requested the control of several beaches and the Minister is to go round the harbour with Mr. R. Hall, chairman of the board, and the harbourmaster to view the same. The Russell Public Library, built by the people of Russell at a cost of £267 (the ground was donated by Mrs. H. Graham), was opened at 1.30 p.m. by Mr. Anderson, who instanced the great help libraries were as an aid to education. REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING Two o’clock saw a large gathering on the Russell Wharf. Among those present were Messrs. R. A. Hall, chairman of the Harbour Board; A. E. Bissett, chairman of the County Council; He win, chairman of the Russell Town Board; J. Morris, Opua; E. Doel, H. Blundell, H. Morgan, G. Laity and W. Smith, Kawakawa; W. Atkinson, H. H. Mountain, T. Atkinson, C. Kingston, Waimate North; R. S. Floran, Russell; and members of the Russell Town Board; G. A. Lee, consulting engineer, Auckland; and B. V. Rope, the contractor. Apologies for absence were received from Colonel Allen Bell. M.P., and the Hon. Vernon Reed. M.L.C. The chairman of the Bay of Islands Harbour Board welcomed the Minister and he was followed by Mr. A. E. Bissett, chairman of the Bay of Islands County Council, who stressed the necessity for access by road to Russell from Whangarei, a road to the port of Opua from inland, and the necessity in the near future for the progress of Northland of making Opua a port of entry. Mr. Hewin, chairman of the Russell Town Board, spoke in similar terms. MINISTER’S CONGRATULATIONS Mr. Anderson, in reply, eulogised the good work done by the contractor, Mr. B. V. Rope, and Mr. G. A. Lee, the consulting engineer, in building the fine structure, and complimented the Harbour Board on the up-to-date wharf. He stressed the point of boards being guided by their engineers, and thereby saving waste of money. With regard to the roads, that was a matter for the Minister of Public Works. If Mangonui, Whangaroa, Hokianga and the whole of the North wanted Opua a port of entry and got their goods through that port, then he would consider the matter. He considered Russell had a big future before it as a centre of tourist traffic for deep-sea fishing, and urged the inhabitants tp be alive to its possibilities by providing first-cla?= accommodation for rich Americans, who did not mind paying for value received. He then asked Mrs. J. Agfierson to cut the ribbon with a golden knife, and declared the wharf open amid cheers for himself and Mrs. Anderson. Afternoon tea was served in the public hall. The wharf is 420 ft. long and the main portion 50ft. wide. It Is built of concrete protected with spring pile tendering, complete with launch landings, storage shed, office, electric light and public conveniences. The total cost was £14,235.