OPUNAKE HARBOR.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 September 1919, Page 2

OPUNAKE HARBOR.

To the Editor. Sir, —In connection with remarks rondo by your correspondent "Query" In yours of 13th ir st., he might look moro fully into the distinct advantage that sea freights hold over land carriage. Why the largo expenditure on the Manchester Ship Canal? lie admits the direct Importation of flout and coal. Why not add to that wheat, oats, pollard, potatoes, chaff, cement, manures, and the various factory products such as soap, confectionery, ranges, boots, etc.? 1 think he will admit that those items embrace the bulk of our Imports. I With regard t:,o his reference to slag, which is ! about the only direct importation hi manures, and while admitting its good qualities, it must bo borne in mind that there will very shortly bo only limited supplies available, in consequenco of which values aro bound to inrveaso, causing our attention to bo directed to other sources of local manures or phosphates from the islands, which would be imported in smaller bottoms. Ho should know that the working of the dairy by-products is hindered through inability to land coal in sufficient quantity to warrant their establishment. I v.jll leave him to estimate the los 9 lo the district which would be served by the Opunake Harbor in this respect. He appears to have great faith in the Government pushing the railway through. I presume a fair idea might be got from past experience. Would he kindly let us know the time taken to build any New Zealand linos of 70 miles length? tfor example the Stratford-Main Trunk line? Has he considered the <iuestion of the upkeep of roads' under the defeasing heavy traffic. iu consequence ofUPhl® Egmout Coi&ity ; ; hemmed in with toll gat*»„ > 11 aides, except ii.c sea? Has he consftwjj that providing ;ir'c harbor a ccommodftOon -provided at punake, why a successful sea service should :\ >i bo instituted between tho Port of New Plymouth and Opunake Y He might note tho remarks made by Mr C. A. Wilkinson at Manaia in connection with New Plym6uth Harbor Loan, at the same time remembering that Mr Wilkinson is a member of the New Plymouth Harbor Board, and a man of wide and practical experience, "That he has always contended that Opunake should have' its own harbor district and its own port." I might j go on quoting figures to show the distinct advantage and saving to be effected to the district through tho establishment of this port. Hut as meetings are convened to be held at Oaonui, Opunake, To Kiri and Pihama, at which those matters cun be more fully dealt with, I shall not transgress further on your i valuable space, but request all those who are] sceptical, as well as those who have care- 1 fully considered tho matter, to attend the meetings, whicn will bo duly announced by advertisement in your columns.—l am, etc., T. P. HUGHSON, Chairman Opunake Harbor Board. Itahotu, 13th September.