HARBOR IMPROVEMENT SCHEME.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1918, Page 7

HARBOR IMPROVEMENT SCHEME.

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There was a good attendance ofcraie.-; payers of the No. 3 area of the Jfow Hymoirtti Harbor District at the meeting held in the Warea Hall on Monday evening to discuss the proposals submitted. in connection with the pcieme of harbor development. Mr J. Burgess, who was, voted to the chair, in introducing the members of the Board, Btated that his duties that evening would be very light, as he was certain there would be*:n©, opposition to thescheme.

Mr 2fewton King, chairman of the: Harbor Board, explained the proposed bill at considerable length. EEe pointed out that 10 years ago he had commented freely on the saving in imports 'by direct shipment, hut thanks to the establishment of the Meat Works, which had been loyally supported by coastal settlers, they had already had Home liners in to take meat and with an additional 800 ft. to the breakwater and some shelter from wind, the Shipping. Companies would send their larger ships regularly thus giving a saving in exports. He sasings oa manures imported was a big item along ' the coast, which could easily consume three or four times as much manure, if it were readily available, as would be the case with direct shipment, and a railway around the coast, which, it was confidently expected, would be authorised this year, and be pushed ahead speedily on the conclusion of the war.

Mr Maxwell fully explained the scheme from the plan, pointing out that it was a comprehensive one drawn with a view to the future possibilities of the port, which were very great, and was also prepared not with the idea of completing the whole work at once, but so that whatever was done would be a part of the whole. Once time-table boats visited New Plymouth he considered that the savings in imports and erports would be enormous. There was at present ample depth of water for a larger class of boat, but more shelter was re-j quired and the engineer considered sufficient could be done in three years to permit of regular ships using the harbor. The building of the wall to Moturoa would have the effect of reclaiming land and making the harbor a land locked one, enaoling the present breakwater to be used for berthage, and also enabling the Board to provide sheds, the necessity for which, particularly along the coast, had been so seriously felt. He considered that when the work now proposed was completed, the trade of the port would be so great and its endowments so valuable, that further extensions, caused by the development of the port, could easily be financed witbout going to the ratepayers. In reply to Mr C. Wells, Mr King stated that a farthing was the limit of the rate in the third area.

In reply to Mr Corbett Mr King stated that the poll would be decided by a bare majority. In reply to further questions, Mr King stated that No. 3 area was a very large one, representing about half the valuation of the district. It was expected on a very liberal estinfate that the wall from Moturoa 2500 feet, 800 feet extension of the breakwater, provision of 1500 feet of berthage, and also reclaiming of eight acres, would be provided, allowing ample money for shedding accommodation and any other work that may crop up. „ In reply to Mr Parker, Mr Maxwell stated that the outer harbor was absolutely safe, with no outlying rocks or obstructions. The moment Sydney heada was cleared there was no obstruction.

Mr A. Clothier then moved, That this meeting of ratepayers of the Xo. 3 area, having heard the proposed scheme of harbor development explained by the chairman and members of the Board strongly support the scheme, and urge the Board to as speedily as possible take the necessary steps to carry it into effect.

Mr C. Cole seconded the resolution, which was unanimously carried. Votes of thanks to the speakers and [the chair terminated tie meeting.