HARBOR IMPROVEMENT SCHEME.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 September 1918, Page 8

HARBOR IMPROVEMENT SCHEME.

UNANIMOUS SUPPORT IN NEW ' , PLYMOUTH. At the Good Templar Hall last night there was a very representative gathering of ratepayers of New Plymouth at tlie meeting convened by the Harbor Board to discuss the proposed harbor development scheme. The Harbor Board was represented by Messrs Newton King (chairman), C. E. Bellringer, E. Maxwell, J. S. Connett, D. J. Hughes, C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., and C. E. McGuinness. The Mayor (Mr. C. H. Burgess), who presided, expressed his disappointment at the attendance, as the matter was of such importance to the people of New Plymouth. However, the board, and particularly the country members, could take it as a distinct compliment that the people were satisfied with the proposals. Mr. Newton King said that the members of the board had been holding meetings, in the No. 3 area particularly, and though some of these had been strenuous ones, he thought that on the ! whole the proposals had been adopted in a good spirit. He explained the reasons for approaching the No. 3 area, pointing put that this area, by the Empowering Bill of 1!)08, had been exempted from any future loans, but after the arrival of the first meat boat they had been approached by ratepayers of the three areas and asked to crry out further improvements. They 'had, therefore, drafted a Bill, and were asking the ratepayers of the No. 3 area to join with them in borrowing sufficient to carry out the necessary improvements, and he sincerely believed there would be little difficulty in getting that done. He outlined briefly the proposals of the Bill and referred to the advantages of direct shipping, remarking that the initial difficulty had been got over when the first boat came in for meat. Two of the companies trading to New Zealand had sent their boats here, and the third company had agreed to do v>, and it must be gratifying to everyone to know that the port had now been recognised by all the companies. If the proposals were carried out the development of New Plymouth, and of the whole of Taranaki, during the next few years would tbe enormous. Mr. C. E. Bellringer said the board from the outset had before it the provision of a harbor that would'suit the requirements of Taranaki for all time, and so had instructed the engineer to prepare a plan that would be capable of develop- ( ment, and in which every part would fit into the completed scheme. There had been considerable criticism, but none ' against the plan, all admitting that it was a gTcat conception. It was impossibe.to give the cost of the completed scheme, but it was only proposed to expend £150,000 at present, which it was estimated would add 800 feet to the breakwater, build the wall to Moturoa, and provide additional berthage. This would- meet the needs of the district for the present, and, as the trade of the port developed, further work would be necessary, and for this reason the loan was fixed at £300.000. He paid a tribute to the great work done by Mr. Wilkinson particularly, who had taken a very definite stand "over the matter and had advocated the scheme throughout the No. 3 district. He then explained the valuations of the various areas, pointing out that No. 3 was £5,300.000, and No. 1 and No. 2 about £3,000,000 each. From a standpoint of security he thought No. 3 area should come in, and from the standpoint of the farmers it should certainly come in. as the area would benefit very much from the improvements. The larger portion recognised this, but a portion, considering that their interests lav towards Paten, were at present opposed to the scheme. He considered, however, that this opposition would eca=e when thev had fully grasped the portion. The board had a right to ask for the whole-hearted support of all the district, and the New Plymouth people should bo in the forefront and should use their influence in bringing the poll to a success. Persons.!'-, he agreed that there was little like' .d of the rate beino struck, as the trade of the port would greatly develop. If the .proposals did not go through, the Board would have to face the levying of a small 1 rate as the revenue would have to be ' more largelv used for maintenance work. He had no'doubt as to the very large •■ development of trade, because m many 1 . rases the resources of the district had barely been tapped. With the increased I exports and imports he had no fear of financial difficulties, | Mr J. S. Connett first thanked the ratepayers for electing him to the position. : n succession to his father, who had -n such a keen interest in the liar!')- i.ir so many years. Mr. Connett, continuing, said that the board were unanimous In supporting the scheme, which he considered was based on sound business lines. He pointed out that there was sufficient produce available to warrant the Home liners calling regularlr, irrespective of the imports. Once Taranaki shipped aIL its produce at the breakwater, there could-be no doubt of the imccess of the port as an ocean one. He thought that all progressive ratepayers in Taranaki should recognise the possibilities of th" nvovinee, sink all local rtiffTenci'- ••- ' whole-heartedly go fur the '-eher '" board was now i putting l.efrrc with the full rei cognition that it ..juld make Taranaki

what it should be—one of the leading provinces in the Dominion. He also paid a tribute to the work done by Messrs Newton King and C. A. Wilkinson. , . Mr. E. Maxwell contrasted the posi- ' tion now with that of the loan 10 years ago. Then the board came before the ratepayers with a wayside port, with certain proposals and certain hopes. Now, all that they had believed would be done had been accomplished. The money had been well spent, and had been sufficient to carry out all they undercook to do and inore. They had deepened the-fairway from 12ft to 2oft and the berthage from lCft to 33ft—both at low water, spring tides—and the water was deeper than any other artificial port, and was sufficient'for the largest class of boats. They now realised that the port was capable of being made an ocean port, and confidently came before the ratepayers and asked them to provide the security to enable ' the board to carry out the necessary works that would transform Taranaki from an outlying district, with a wayside port, to one of the main provinces with its own ocean port in direct touch with the markets of the world.. He then explained the proposals at considerable length from the plan. Referring to the cost of the completed plan, he remarked that if the district progressed as it undoubtedly would, the port would never be completed. Mr. I>. J. Hughes touched on the saving to be effected in manures which would be required more and more each year in the future in such quantities that a small port could not cope with them. As a ratepayer in the third area, he was perfectly satisfied the Bill would go through. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson considered that the future progress of the district was largely dependent on the success of the scheme. In the interests of the province at the back of them, it was absolutely necessary that facilities should be provided to enable the largest vessels to trade to the port. New Plymouth was fortunate In having country members on the hoard, who were just as enthusiastic over the scheme as anv town member. He thought New Plymouth had a great future, and the development of the port would hasten this. They had at their backs a fertile province, which exported more per head than any 1 other part of New Zealand The bulk of their produce was perishable, and must be put on hoard .the Home boats with the least delav and the least handline, and it was not right that it should be sent to Wellington any longer than possible. Forty-one Tears ago the people of this province had the pluck to take on a liability of £200.000' at a high; rate of interest, so surely they need not he afraid to take on £670,000; or less than three times that amount, when, they had at 'fast 20 times'the resources.,New Plymouth was a great residential centre, and. wi<>' the port, would become a !rreat (-radius centre. The board up to the present had done remarkably well with its resources. For 10 years there had been no rate and the harbor liiul been developed steadily and con--1 - : itciit!y. but further facilities were re- ' nnired. The port of New Plymouth was nractieallv an undeveloped asset, and he '.vis satisfied the people of New Plymouth renli-; 1 '! this. Accommodation was required for ships that would take our produce to the igorld's markets and bring our imports direct, so that we would not pay tribute to any other port a day longer than necessary. Mr. P. C Hughes moved—"That this meeting of ratepayers heartily approves of the proposed measures for the improvement of the harbor." He considered the district owed a debt of arratitude to the Harbor Board in workins "" slcidilr for, the advancement of Dm port, for inilinfin!? the scheme, and for appointing Mr. P.lair Mason as engiper.'. Mr. W. J. Knapmnn seconded. Mr K Cock considered the' meeting was (lie moM. important that had been held during the last 10 vears, and he bopi'd more interest would be shown at (he poll ■Mr. O. N. Firth also spoke strongly in support. The Mayor stated that he had been very agrcealbly surprised with the Interest the country people took in the matter. They had a greater opinion of the future of New Plymouth than had Uie people of New Plymouth themselves. The motion was then carried unanimous!?. Votest of thanks to the r members of , 's■>. board and to 4he chairman terminat•4 the #rocc«dij# , ~