HARBOR IMPROVEMENT SCHEME.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1918, Page 7

HARBOR IMPROVEMENT SCHEME.

STROXOLX SUPPORTED AT/'iPUNGA- ■■■■■■ EEHU. There was a fair attendance,.of rata* payers, including several ladies, at themeeting held at Pungarehu on.Wednesday night to discuss the proposals submitted by members, of the New Plymouth Harbor Board"in. connection with the scheme of . harbor .'development. Messrs Newton King (chairman). E. Maxwell and J. S. Connett represented the Harbor Board. Mr W. Fleming, who was voted to the chair, in introducing the members of the Harbor Board, stated that the matter was one of vital importance to the people of the coast.

Mr Newton "-King, in outlining the scheme at length on lines similar to previous meetings, pointed out that the district was in the No. 3 area, which carried the lowest, rate. Some-people considered that the scheme should be held over until after the war but it would probably be March or April before the poll could be taken, by which time he hoped the war would be nearlng conclusion. He referred to the fact that the railway from Opunake to New Plymouth was now recognised by the Government as a necessity and would shortly be commenced, and he considered that the marvellous impetus that the coast would be given within five -years after the railway was commenced"-was such as would amaze even the most optimistic. He touched on the savings in imports, and stated that directly the regular boats came, New Plymouth would become a distributing centre and the merchants would soon be established there. The majority of those present were loyal shareholders in the Meat Co. and therefore knew the advantages of having the meat works so closs to an ocean port. The harbor had proved itself and therefore members of the Board now came before the ratepayers with confidence.

Mr E. Maxwell explained the scheme from the large plan, and remarked that they had suffered a tremendous disadvantage for many years through not having shed accommodation on the wharf. In ths proposed scheme sheds would be provided right, alongside where the boats would berth and these sheds would provide the necessary shelter from the winds. The engineer estimated that the Breakwater could he extended SOOffc., the connecting wall with Moturoa built and the necessary bertnage prepared within three years, and the shipping companies had promised that when this was done they would send their largest boats regularly. He showed that there was sufficient trade to warrant the boat 3 calling, without relying on anything from outside and 'with, the country behind Taranaki there cou!d he no doubt that the trade would quickly develop once the regular ocean ssrvice was established. The port had a vast area of country to draw from, and som? of this country was the most fertile in the Dominion, and, with plenty of fertilisers available, its productivity could be considerably increased? He predictei a great future for the port, which would take its place with the great distributing centres of the Dominion. Mr J. Connett- stated that whatever might have been the opinion ten years ago there was no one that now doubted the possibilities of the port. He showeu that the scheme was a sound business one, and that thers would b» sufficient cargo available even now to warrant Home boats calling regularly. In reply to the chairman, Mr King «aid that the revenue was partly pledged to pay interest on the old loan. This loan's interest would be paid out of the revenue of the port. There was a sinking profit at present of £12,000, of which they weto bound to transfer £4500 towards the payment of interest on tha previous loan, but they had been transferring £7,500 each year.

Mr G. Goodwin moved; That, this meeting of ratepayers of the No. 3 area of the New Plymouth Harbor District, having heard the proposed scheme of harbor development explained by the chairman and members of the New Plymouth Harbor Board, strongly support the scheme and urge the Board to at once take the necessary steps to bring the scheme into effect.-

Mr H. L. Syrnons* seconded. The chairman, in], supporting the resolution, stated that given a railway/an/ 1 the port they would provide plenty of cargo along the coast for the Home liners. Their land would respond well to manures but the present freight and cost were prohibitive.