OPUNAKE HARBOR.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 September 1919, Page 7

OPUNAKE HARBOR.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT SCHEME. MEETING AT OPUNAKE. j There was an attendance of about 40 ratepayers at the meeting held in the Opunake Town Hall on Wednesday evening to consider the proposals to raise a loan of £50,000 for the establishment of a harbor at Opunake, a poll for which is to be taken next week, Mr G. W. Rogers was voted to the chair. Mr T. P. Hughson, chairman of the Opunake Harbor Board, in opening, said that the meeting was not for the purpose of introducing some new fangled problem, but one that had been well considered, for which they had had a prolonged struggle in order to secure ono of the greatest advantages a district could possess. He paid a tribute to the work of Messrs Moore and McKeown in taking the initial steps to promote the Opunake Harbor Act of 1908, resulting in the election of a Harbor Board in 191.3, comprising Messrs M- J. McReynolds (chairman), Moore, McKeown, McPie, Malcolm, and the speaker, with Mr Lambie as Government nominee. He detailed the steps taken, with the assistance of Mr Wilkinson, their energetic member, to secure the valuable endowments which they now possessed, Later a report was secured from Mr Cyrus Williams. Prior to this Mr McReynolds resigned the chairmanship, the speaker being appointed to the vacancy. Mr Cyrus Williams passed what was known as the outer* scheme, which was endorsed by the Board. In September, 1914, a poll to raise £50,000 was carried by the ratepayers by the substantial majority of 190 to 86, but, owing to the war, they were unable to raise the money at the 5 per cent interest, and a further poll giving authority to raise the money at 5| per cent, was taken in 1917, and was defeated, the voting being 125 for and 122 against, this not giving the necessary three-fifths majority. The mandate of the people thereby was to await the termination of the war. In April, 1917, the present board was elected, and had purchased the present jetty at a cost of £SOO.

The hoard had, after careful consideration, decided that the time was now opportune to move forward. As, however, it was considered there was likely to be some conflict of opinion regarding what was termed the "outer" ftnd "inner" scheme, and also with regard to the cost of construction, the board decided to obtain the report of a second engineer, and, accordingly, the services of Mr. Blair Mason, of reputed ability, were secured. In May, 1914, Mr. Cyrus Williams reported that a mole 1)00 feet in length, to afford shelter in all weathers and to allow of vessels of from 10ft. to 12ft. draft berthing and discharging, could be erected at a cost of £42,000, viz., plant £7OOO, excavation of rock £4BOO, rails and sleepers £6OO, Staging for tipping stone to form the mole £9OOO, stone in mole, 81,000 yards at 4s per yard, £16,200, new wharf £SOOO. The mole would bo carried out In the same manner as the eastern extension of the breakwater at Timaru, the upper part and outer face being composed of 15-ton blocks. A desirable improvement was the extension of the breakwater a further 250 feet, at an extra cost of about £7OOO. At the inner site any extension of the breakwater would not be practicable. He was strongly of opinion that the difficulty of sand travel need not stand in the way. Later in 191(1 Mr. Cyrus Williams reported that he did not see any reason, under the existing conditions, why the work should not be carried out at the price estimated, because, while rates had gone up, a good deal of second-hand plant was available. In order to satisfy electors regarding the cost of construction, the board consulted another engineer. Wild estimates appeared in the papers from would-be engineers, who tried to make the position look black by stating that £50,000 would not nearly complete the work, but that £500,000 would be nearer the mark. For that reason, he was glad the board had consulted Mr. Blair Mason, who visited Opunake in July, in company with his colleague, Mr. G. A. Lee. Inter alia, the report stated that there was no doubt whatever that the best position for the breakwater was at site No. 2, as located by Mr. Cyrus Williams and of the dimensions given by him. In order to cope with possible sand drift, the plan provided for an island breakwater—that was, leaving a gap between it and the shore portion through which the current could flow and prevent any sand from lodging. If it were found not io have the desired effect, this could be filled in. He made suggestions regarding the jetty, the exact location of which could be held in abeyance until the breakwater was completed. He estimated the total cost at £5(1,500, but an alternative wharf proposal would mean a saving of £IOBO. The items were: Breakwater, 920 ft., with staging to 18ft. low water, £35,000: excavation and reclamation, £4900; wharf approach in reinforced concrete, piles, and timber superstructure, with main wharf in reinforced concrete, £7700; cranes, trucks, etc., £9900. These reports should be sufficient to satisfy those would-be engineers who tried to blind the electors with their absurd estimates.

He referred at considerable length to the saving to be effected by the establishment of the port at Opunake, which many held was not required on account of the district being well served by Patea and New Plymouth. In 1913, after careful inquiry, figures were submitted that, under present conditions of cartage by road, showed the saving on imports and exports to total £7330 per annum, and, if the deficiency in the revenue to be made up by rate was counted, viz., £1455, there was a net saving of €SBBI, Calculated on the basis of the railway to Opunake completed, there was still a saving of £3730. Since then there had been an increase of 20 per cent, in railway freight, together with a sorting charge of Is Bd, which repre. sented an additional saving of .6500. The coal question was also of the utmost importance, and on this he estimated the saving at 30s without the rc-ilway and lis with the railway, and, as he considered that at least 2500 tons would be required annually for factory and household purposes, the saving would be respectively £3750 or £1375. A good deal was said about the savings on direct importation from the Old Country to New Plymouth, but the bulk of their requirements were from local sources, such as grain, flour, coal, cement, factory goods, ranges, etc. Basic slag was tlu only exception, and this, he believed, could be landed by sea from New Plymouth at a cheaper rate, but, as stocks were limited in the Old Country, its supply was limited. Then, regarding the shipment of butter and cheese via Opunake, he pointed out that, for the purpose of concentrating, the shipping companies i had always paid the coastal freight, and

he saw 110 reason why this should hot continue, so that Opunake would be placed on an equal footing With other porta. The erection of wool storage would be undertaken because of the handsome saving in freights. The vested interests held by factories now in New Plymouth and Patea works would, he presumed, always pay 5 per cent, on the capital invested, which would be a corresponding set-off against capital expended in Opunake. The continuous expansion of the dairy industry would necessitate considerable additions being made tr existing works. Therefore the cutting but of a portion between the two would in no way hamper the existing works, as the additional building would be done in Opunake instead of in Patea or New Plymouth. In making his comparisons he .had not considered sea freights, as these had probably increased in like proportion to New Plymouth and Opunake.

The completion of the railway would, he held, increase the usefulness of the harbor, because it would probably capture the trade of Eltham, Manaia, and, possibly, Hawera. Merchants had to carefully consider the cost of freight in connection with buying goods, so as to compete successfully with their opponents, and if goods could be landed at Opunake Is cheaper than elsewhere, provided proper facilities Were given, Opunake port would get the business. It must also be remembered that they were very favorably situated, being in the centre of a closely settled district. In concluding, he felt sure that all present would recognise the great benefit it would be to the district to have a harbor that could be worked in all weathers, and in which he felt the savings he had mentioned would not be found to be over-estimated. He pointed out that, even with the railway constructed i via the coast to New Plymouth, there I would be a saving of 100 per cent, to Rahotu and Pungarehu by shipping through Opunake, and, of course, the i nearer they came to Opunake, the greater ' would be the difference. This he had j fully detailed when the New Plymouth Harbor Board held its meeting at Rahotu in connection with the New Plymouth loan proposals. On some lines the saving would be 22s and on others 30s 8d per ton according to grade under present [ conditions, but with the railway completed to Opunake, the saving would be j 24s 4d in the lattor case. It must be evident that there would be a very large saving by the carrying of the poll, for which he considered the time was opportune. He strongly urged all to use their influence to get people to go to the poll, and put the scheme into operation. He | stated that, the 10 per cent, additional on £50,000 that they were obtaining authority to borrow would give sufficient shelter to work vessels in any weather. Both engineers had endorsed the outer scheme, which allowed for future extension and gave a good deep basin of water. It was, he added, a rough day when Mr. Blair Mason visited Opunake, and they were much struck with the advantage of the reef, which broke the waves. In addition, they had the advantage of being at the breaking of the ways as regards sand drift; they had also a fine bay, and material lying at hand, only requiring to be placed in position, so that surely it must be patent to all that they were in a splendid position to carry out the work, and, instead of having the district lying dormant,' it would enter into a new era of prosperity, Now the war was over the board came to the ratepayers confident that the poll would be carried by a sweeping majority, Mr. C. H. Hurst, a member of the Harbor Board, stated that the board unanimously favored the scheme. As there was ; opposition to the smaller scheme, he had gone to Mr. Wilkinson, M.P., over the matter, and Mr. Wilkinson suggested the engagement of Mr Blair Miison. The speaker regretted the want of unanimity of the board in the past, as he recognised the disadvantages the district had suffered in roading and other matters. He considered that more than 1000 tons of coal per month would be required if they went in for dried milk, and it could only be got through the port. The bugbear they were up against was the £50,000, but what was that? The average value of each farm would be £3OOO, and the maximum rate the board could charge would be £0 0s 3d on that amount. He did not think the board would ever have to strike more than half the rate, and, he asked, would they turn the loan down for £4 10s ljd? The greatest opposition came from Pihama, where they were going to build a concrete grandstand at a cost of from £12,000 to £15,000, to be used for six hours annually. Personally, he was so confident of the scheme that he was prepared to take up a debenture of £IOOO. He urged all to look at Timaru, and then take a vision of Opunake in ten years' time.

Mr. T. P. Hughson stated that, at the rate suggested, practically Jd, his rate would work out at £1 la 3d, but lie considered , that the full rate would only be required, if at all, for two or three years until they got revenue from the landing of cargo. On his farm he used four tons of manure, on which he would save £4 lGs, and, with other stuff, he considered the saving would be £lO Bs. It would be interesting if every farmer would estimate what- his. direct saving would be. There would not be such a saving in the town, but all knew that f the prosperity of a town depended on the country, and he felt that all in the town, though the rate would be three times as much, would solidly support the poll. Mr. O'Brien considered (hey would save the tar-sealing loan.

Mr. llughson said that another big point was the fact that at present they were shut out by toll gates. When they pot their port they would shut others out. Mr. Hurst moved': That the meeting pledge itself to do all it can to further the poll on the harbor loan proposal. In reply to Mr. A. H. Moore, Mr. HugV son stated that the board had not do. finitely adopted either Blair Mason's or Cyrus Williams' schemes, which were practically identical, save for the islam! portion of it. The board did not consider it advisable to appoint an engineer nntii they had a definite mandate from t'l? ratepayers. They would then use their best endeavors to have the scheme carried out in the very best way. The chairman said that for vears thev had endeavored to get facilities. They had tried to get the railway, which now had, perhaps, advanced beyond the dream stage. The railway would not be the panacea for all evils. A harbor was what was required. He referred to the pats on the back the committee got from ratepayers for getting rid of the New Plymouth harbor rate, but these ratepayers did not carry the harbor poll here. They would, he hoped, do so now. He touched on a letter by "Query" in the Daily News, which, lie presumed, came from outside the district, and considered that, if it was worth while for those outside the district to oppose the scheme those within the district should certainly support it. They need not fear pledging their land for the rate Tliey had done ao for roads, factories,

etc., and in these had come out fight. He stressed the advantages of the harbor, and urged all to vote at the poll on Thursday, September 25. The resolution was carried unanimously. Votes of thanks were carried to the chairman and Mr. Hughson, whom the mover (Mr. Mildenhall) termed a shining light to the district in harbor matters. Mr. Hughson, in acknowledging, stated that he had taken a keen interest in the harbor ever since he landed in Opunake Bay 3!) years ago. Though he would like to be relieved of the work, he would remain on the board until the work was brought to a successful fruition.