HARBOUR EXTWNSION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8053, 21 February 1906, Page 3

HARBOUR EXTWNSION.

WHAM 1 OK BREAKWATER.

At tlio Harbour Board meeting on Tuesday, there was a short renewal of the wharf versus breakwater debate. Mr McLean, acting for Mr Maxwell, who was unavoidably absent, moved, I according to notice given-"That beI fore any further work in connection ? with the extension of the breakwater i j s Joue, the wharf lie completed by extending the straight face of the new work to the outer end of the main wharf, so as to give an unbroken straight face for mooring from the breakwater to the outer end/' Mr McLean briefly expressed his opinion tlmt this plan would besl conserve the interests of the ratepayers. Mr Thomson seconded, and protested that the chairman had not produced the information asked for by the country members at last meeting. He (Mr Thomson) said he would abide by tho opinion ot the shipmasters. The Chairman: I atu only waiting for you to finish and sit dowa, so that I can get a chance to give you the information. This is the letter I got from the captains of the steamers trading regularly to the port; —

New Plymouth, January 30th, 1900, To tlie Chairman Harbour Board, New Plymouth.

SiH,— Tlie question lias often arisen which would be the most essential construction for the Board to proceed with, with the amount of funds in hand, either to extend the breakwater, or widen the wharf. We the underlined shipmasters, trading to this port, having found already a marked benefit from the extension now made, are strongly in favor of the Board spending all available money on the breakwater, in preference to wharf widening. (Signed) George Holford, s.s. Tak ipuna. Samuel Holford, s.s. Corinna. J. Robertson, s.s Botoiti. W. F. Norbury, s.s. Barawa.

Mr Connett proceeded to poiut out the ctliejey of the work, which had already prevented the inrush of sand and saved £SOO in dredging expenses. The other day, after the dredge had jiecn away from the harbor proper for a couple of months, the Takapuua came in at low water, drawing 13ft. Wharf intension was necessary, but not as necessary as extending the wall to protect wharves and shipping. -Mr Maxwell'* proposal would not even provide » new berth, but if aided on, would lU ean spoiling the accommodation whilst the work was in progress. Mr McLean said he knew the wharf extension would have to be completed at once if started, but considered the wharf dangerous, and Board members would be responsible for any accidents there. jVlessrs Thomson aiul said tlie Chairman had bccu au advocate of wharf extension a few mouths ago, and Mr ThoinW/ii asked for Mr Connctt's assurance that the present wharf accommodation was ample "for some time

to eoine. TUc Chairman said both works were necessary, but wbieh whs of the greatest benefit ? He believed the shipmaster*. . . . Mr Hiue, who said lie had eome with an upon liiiuil, favored breakwater extension, bciug guided by the < a jitaius opinions. He was «* s antagonistic as ever to further borrowing. Mr Thomson refused to be guided by lite Shipmasters' letter, and with Messrs .Hornby and MeLean, voted for the motuJU, whilst Messrs Council, I Kiug, Price, Ward and Hine opposed

!t 'l'he Chairman's motion, "thai the toretkwater extension be continued as bag as funds are available," was carried, being seconded by Mr 11 ice.