THAMES HARBOUR

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 936, 1 April 1930, Page 7

THAMES HARBOUR

DELAY IN COMPLETING SCHEME RATEPAYERS’ BITTER PILL Prom Our Own Correspondent THAMES, Monday. The stranding of the Port Waikato while leaving the Thames Wharf last Thursday has forcibly brought before the people of the town the immediate necessity of completing the harborn scheme. The vessel was only drawing about eight feet of water at the timshe was endeavouring to clear the port. Not only did the Port Waikato ios-. two days, which upset her sailing obligations, but the vessel lay on the mud, much to the chagrin of the owner, who had bargained for a floating basin for his boat to swing in while the tide was out. When the basin, which is part of the harbour scheme, was completed, there was 10 feet of water in it at low tide. The hole has gradually refilled, until now there is a doubtful six foot of water in the basin, and the siltingup process continues. When the Harbour Board a few months ago applied to the Government for money to complete the scheme they received a reply that the Government engineers considered that when the scheme was completed the hole would fill up again. On those grounds the loan was refused. The Government’s prediction has proved correct. The board has spent in the last four years £ 70,000 on the harbour, and now has no money, thus the scheme has to lie in abeyance pending the raising of funds. Up to the present the board has boon unable to find any institution to advance further funds to complete the work. The large sum of money spent has not improved the port one iota, and unless the suction dredge (which now lies idle) is put on to clear the silt from the swinging basin, the ratepayers consider that that portion of the scheme will have been done in vain. The question causes the Harbour Board grave concern, and it is through no fault of theirs that the scheme has not been completed months ago. H has unsuccessfully probed every avenue in its anxiety to finish the undertaking. It is understood that the Government is prepared to complete the scheme providing the money can be found. The board some time ago offered its dredging plant, which cost; something like £15,000. in payment for £4.000 of work, but the Government would not entertain the proposal. It is a bitter pill for the ratepayers, who are paying a levy, to find that the £70,000 has been spent without any advantage being gained.