The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 1917. HARBOR DEVELOPMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 June 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 1917. HARBOR DEVELOPMENT.

It is gratifying to find that the New Plymouth Harbor Board is promoting a scheme which should make tho harbor at Moturoa not only suitable to the requirements of the future, but in every way worthy of the province. The advent of Home liners to the port has opened up a new era in the history of Taranaki, and the Harbor Board has shown commendable forethought and wisdom in making a comprehensive review of the requirements in view of the expansion in the progress of the province and the necessary provision that should lie made in the matter of additional facilities for dealing with imports and exports as well as for ensuring the absolute security of the valuable liners coming to the port. The proposals which were evolved at a special meeting of the Board on Monday contain the main essentials for placing the harbor on a satisfactory footing. Taking the

resolutions in the order in which they were seconded, it will be seen that in the first place a further extension of the breakwater is deemed advisable, also the deepening of the channel to a depth of twenty-eight feet at low water spring tides. There can be no two opinions as te the desirability of both these works being carried out, for they would ensure the harbor being regarded as a safe anchorage as well as providing a safe passage in any weather. There may be

some difference of opinion as to the direction of the extension, but there ean ' be none as to its desirability, or the ' advantage of deepening the channel. Very properly the Board has decided to secure the services of a marine engineer, presumably the best that cau.be obtained, who will advise on the scheme, and report on the advisability of the suggested wave breaker between Moturoa and Mikotahi. It will, of course, be open to this expert to propound his own views on the protective work after he has studied the whole matter on the spot and become acquainted with the original scheme for joining up the two sugar loaves. The second proposal deals with the erection of a new wharf, and here again the Board is acting on the most modern line's by giving a prefer- . ence to ferro-conerete, which is undoubtedly the material best suited for the purpose. Its initial cost may be greater, but in the long run it would be found a great money saver. The present structure is at best a makeshift that probably suffice for a while if no overseas vessels worked the port, but is manifestly unsuitable for the new conditions which include Home liners. The suggested reclamation of the foreshore is a work that should have been undertaken many years ago as a matter of paying policy, but none the less is it welcome now. The port wil" never Be considered properly equipped until it has the various sbeds, stores and other appurtenances essential to the import, export and re-shipping trade of a large, prosperous province like Taranaki. If this reclamation scheme is carried out on sound business lines With a view to the growth of the trade of the port it will he a payable proposition, and it will render possible a new arrangement with the Railway Department that will enable the cargoes to be handled and distributed either by road or rail. Taking the scheme as a whole, it is entitled to the most favorable consideration of ali interested in the welfare of the district, and in its execution there should be no cheeseparing and no prodigality, but the present Board has the complete confidence of the people of the province and may be trusted to see that for every penny spent good value is obtained. Developments will be awaited with keen interest.