WELLINGTON HARBOR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 36, 1 February 1908, Page 2

WELLINGTON HARBOR BOARD.

Per Press Association. Wellington, Friday. At the. meeting of the Wellington Harbor Board to-day. the chairman, Hon. T. K. Macdouald. M.L.C., expressed the opinion that as a result of the opening of the Main Trunk Railway ami the Bclllement of the country there would he a great increase in the import and export trade of the city and port of Wcl" lington. It was therefore absolutely necessary to at once increase the area of berthage and shed accommodation He gave details of various works in hand and required, representing in all an expenditure of €580,000. In addition to this, he said, there was the purchase of ihe'pa'tent'slip at £25,000, and the cost of reclamation of land, dredging, construction of lierthage accommodation, [(instruction of retaining walls, street formation, and interest and contingencies, estimated to cost in all £IIO,OOO, or a total in connection with the patent slip and its developmental works of not less than £135,000. He would ask the Board to proceed at once with the reclamation of land at Evans Bay in accordance with the resolution already arrived at. This work had been postponed in consequence of the high estimate placed upon steep hillside land by many of the owners. This would require to be met by asking the Compensation Court to ascertain the. true values of such properties. Tt would therefore be seen, he added, that no less a mini than £872,830 must be expended to place the port df Wellington during the next three years in the position which its rapidly-growing commerce imperatively demanded. Parliament should therefore be asked next session for authority to lie given to the Board to raise £1,000,000 for necessary harbor works. This would mean an assured finance, which was an. absolute necessity.

Mr. Mncdonald's proposals will be considered at a. special meeting of the Board shortlv.