DIRECT SHIPPING.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 February 1917, Page 7

DIRECT SHIPPING.

THE HARBOR READY* EXPERTS SATISFIED WITH TflE BERTHAGE, . COASTAL SHIPPING SERVICE MOOTED. Shortly after the New Plymouth Harbor Board opened its meeting yesterday, a proposal was moved that the Board go into committee. This was agreed to, and on the suggestion of several of the members, the representatives of the Press retired. The Board was in committee for over 'half-an-tyour, and on resuming in open meeting, Mr. Newton King, addressing the Tepresentaives of the Press, said that Chatain Chudley, marine superintendent of the Shaw, Savili and Albion Shipping Company, had visited the port and had expressed himself as very pleased with the work done by the Board since his last visit. He and Captain Waller liad taken careful soundings of the harbor, and the Board no\v felt that the work done would meet with the shipping companies' approval, and that at no distant date direct liners would call at New Plymouth. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson said the depth of the water in the harbor, as disclosed in the latest charts, surprised him. The whole position was excellent. Mr D. J. Hughes said it was very gratifying to him to see that the depth aimed at had been gained. He could now meet the ratepayers from his district and discuss tho position of the harbor with them with confidence.

Mr. J. Marx also expressed pleasure at the position of the harbor. Heference was made at this stage to a proposal to erect a large transhipping sheil on the wharf, and a committee was elected to gather data concerning the size and cost of a 9hed and facilities for handling cargo. Mr. C. E. Beliringer remarked that the corning of Home liners to New Plymouth would open a new era. for the town and district. As demonstrating the value of direct shipment, Mr. Bellringer said £I4OO in freight nnd transhipping expenses was saved hist month by the arrival of the barque Narwhal to New Plymouth. There was tremendous congestion ■ in Wellington, and the advantage to local merchants in having their goods landed here would be enormous.

COASTAL STEAMER SERVICE. At this point the discussion took an- ! other turn. Mr. Newton King said the time had come wlien the people of New Plymouth and the settlers should take into consideration the question of forming a small line of steamers so as to provide facilities for transhipping goods from . New Plymouth to the coastal towns in Tnranaki. The matter was really outside the province of the Board, hut the Board was warranted in recommending the scheme for the settlers' consideration. Mr. Wilkinson said it was incredible that goods should be taken by road to the coastal towns of Taranaki. Unquestionably the wisest thing io do was to establish a steamship service. lie was prepared to join in and invest what capital he could afford in the scheme. Mr. E. Maxwell was of opinion that the service was urgently needed. Ho said tlie scheme had been twice before the public previously and had been turned down. ,-JTo believed the Chamber of Commerce was responsible for this. The chairman (Mr. .T. H. Connett) said, a3 a member or the Chamber of Commerce, be thought it fair to say that the Chamber's action was due to the fact that there was no shed on the wharf suitable for sheltering cargo. The scheme was, not practicable at that time. Mr. Newton King said at the time referred to he was directly opposed to the scheme, and, in the same circumstances, he would oppose it again. But, added Mr. King, things had changed since then.

Mr. Bellringer had no doubt the people would take the scheme up. The town ]iad reason to congratulate itself on the, energy and progress of its people. Its municipal concerns and the private enterprise- of its people marked it, in the opinion of outsiders, as one of the most progressive towns in New Zealand, and as a town with great prospects. He smiled sometimes when he heard local residents speak deprecatingly of the town. The discussion then closed. --