PORT OF MOTUROA.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 May 1916, Page 4

PORT OF MOTUROA.

PREPARING FOR HOME BOATS. FURTHER WORK REQUIRED. \> LINERS PROBABLY COME THIS YEAR. It is highly likely that Home liners will berth at New Plymouth before the end of the year. To prepare the port for this trade has been the aim of the Harbor Board for some years, and the necessity for the required facilities lute been hastened by the erection at New Plymouth of freezing works, which it is hoped will he dealing with frozen meat tor export next season. With' a view to allowing the shipping people concerned to become acquainted with the harbor, and to inform the Board what additional work required to be done before Home vessels will be sent to New Ply* mouth arrangements were made,for such . ■> an inspection of the port to be carried out, and yesterday Captain T. H. Chud" ley (marine superintendent of the Shtfr, Savill and Albion Co.), visited Moturo% on behalf of his company. Accompanied by Captain W. Waller (harbormaster), an inspection of the port was made in the morning, while in the afternoon Captain Chudley met the members of the Harbor Board, and outlined to them what work was required to make the port suitable for oceans going steamers. The meeting was held in camera\ but it is understood that Captain Chudley's [loposals do not entail a great deal < of work, and that the Board expressed its willingness to put in hand at once the necessary improvements. In an interview with a Daily News' representative, Captain Chudley said his rtgotiations with the Harbor Board were confidential, but he could say that it was very probable that Home boats would visit New Plymouth in the near future. Some work yet remained to be done at the port, but it was probable the big steamers would come hero this year if this work is carried out. "Of course it is for the company to settle what they will do," he added, "but as far as I am concerned I am satisfied that New Plymouth ought to make as good a port as Timnru. The work which I have suggested should be carried out at New Plymouth is not on a big scale. It is principally a matter of dredging, for we must have .sufficient depth of water for our steamers which load in New Zealand, the smallest of which is a vessel o{ 4000 tons As far as the wharf accommodation is concerned it is quite adequate for the time being, though to bring New Plymouth in line with Timiirn a good deal of wort yet remains to be done."