THE PORT CONGESTED.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1921, Page 4

THE PORT CONGESTED.

NECESSITY FOR MORE BERTHAGE. DIFFICULTY OF FINANCE. HARBOR BOARD’S PROBLEM The arrival of more overseas vessels at New Plymouth than the port can accommodate has frequently emphasised the shortage of berthage accommodation, and the necessity for at least one more deep water berth is again demonstrated by the diverting to Waitara of the C- and D. liner Port Victor, which sailed from Melbourne this week and was originally scheduled to load, at New Plymouth. The alteration in the arrangements for this vessel had to be made on account of the fact that the one deep water berth (at present occupied by the Waimate) will be taken up immediately on this vessel’s departure by the Tregarthen, which has been anchored off the harbor since Sunday. was therefore not possible to delay thd Port Victor until the Tregarthen had cleared. The position was discussed by the chairman of the Harbor Board (Mn Newton King) in the course of an in« terview with a Daily News reporter last night. Mr. King indicated that there could be little hope of relief for some time to come. He emphasised the fact that no small expense will meet the difficulty. If the board could help by expending a reasonable sum they would 4o so, but to provide a second, deep, water berth meant a very big sum Of money, and the prospects of securing financial assistance at present were not bright. Mr. King pointed out that the portion which has arisen was an unusual one, haring been brought about by the arrival of a number of big boats within a very short period. Ho did not think this would continue, but any conveniences could not be avoided. A r second wharf would have to be erected, but before this came the extension of the breakwater- and the commencement of the Moturoa wall, and at present the board had not the money to do either off these works.