The Daily News. THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1914. A CONVERTED CHAIRMAN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 24, 18 June 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1914. A CONVERTED CHAIRMAN.

In referring to the harbor improvement work at the Walkure luncheon the other day, the Chairman of the Board made a statement which can be considered as very significant. He said that one ef the chief reasons lor the delay in carrying out the harbor scheme was the alteration made whilst lie and the treasurer were in England—the substitution of an attenuated, crooked wharf, with the attendant lighter dredging, for an "inside" harbor, entailing very heavy dredging. This, he said, though more difficult and costly, and taking a longer time than was estimated in the first place, was undoubtedly the right thing to have done. We were pleased to hear the statement, for Mr Connett, on his return from England, was far from being impressed with the proposed alteration, and tacitly opposed its being carried on, but experience lias shown him, as it has all the marine superintendents and engineers who have Tisited the port, that the Board never did a wiser thing than to decide on the "inner" as against the "outer" harbor. Now we have a first-class harbor, safe to shipping in all weather; had the original plan been followed, we are afraid it would never would 'have been possible to berth a big vessel in safety. Inside, there is considerable protection; outside there would have been' only that afforded by the breakwater. The shipping superintendents, they now state, would never have consented to their boats berthing in so exposed a position. Now, they need not have the slightest fear. We have the assurance of the Walkure's captain that the port is a perfectly safe one, that it has splendid landmarks for the mariner, and that if a boat like his own, defective in machinery with only one screw and unwieldy in form, can 'be safely and efficiently berthed, there cannot he the slightest doubt that a larger liner, with twin screws, and in good working order, can also be accommodated without risk. This is made possible by the departure made from original plan, which Mr Connct now so thoroughly, approves. he pays a compliment to the judgment and prescience of those members of the Board responsible for the change, and from whom he differed at the time it was made.