SCHEME.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 December 1921, Page 6

SCHEME.

ARRANGING A LOAN. WORK TO BE EXPEDITED. NEW WHARF ESSENTIAL. Important progress in the New Plymouth harbor extension scheme may be expected in the near future. Owing to the financial stringency work has been delayed, but at yesterday’s meeting of the board the chairman (Mr. Newton King) announced that the board had every reason to expect to be able to raise a loan in London shortly. Another important matter settled is an agreement with the Railway Department in regard to access—a matter which was also delaying progress. With this difficulty removed, and the prospect of a successful loan, the board will face a bright future. To expedite the work it is probable another dredge will be hired, and the scheme of providing additional berthage will be pushed ahead.

A round-table discussion took place at yesterday’s meeting of the New Plymouth Harbor Board on the question of expediting the work in connection with the harbor scheme, with especial reference to the new wharf.

Mr. C. E. Bellringer, who opened the discussion, said it had become apparent, on looking into the figures in connection with the dredging operations, that at present they were not doing more than one load a day on the heavy work. At this rate it would take nine or twelve months for the present cut of 700 feet to be completed, and this meant that it would be at least a year before work in connection with the construction or the new wharf could be commenced. It was essential that something should be done, otherwise there would be a large

capital expenditure for which there would be no return. It had been estimated that it would cost at least £50.000 to procure a new dredge, a proposal it was impossible to consider. What he suggested was the hiring of a dredge in New Zealand to supplement the work being done by the Pari tutu. Some time ago the engineer had sug- | gested a dredge similar to the one grab I dredge Tewhaka owned by the Lyttelton I Harbor Board. If such a dredge could | be procured three times as much work I could be done as compared with the present rate of progress. THE MATTER URGENT. . The engineer had also suggested fitting up the Thomas King for the use of explosives to supplement dredging operations. The speaker thought it would be a good policy, if a loan could be raised, to hire a dredge for £BOOO or £9OOO a year. By the time the cut was com- ) pleted it would take three years to J put up the new wharf, a time which ’ was altogehter too long. The matter ! was one of grave urgency, **.n<l the board should make 1922 the year of ■ ‘‘the big push” as far as the harbor works were concerned. The matter of dredging was the key of the whole situation. The dredge Tewaneka had worked in conglomerate, and, if she was > still available, he thought it would be a good policy to hire her. Mr. Bellringer then moved, ‘‘That the engineer be requested to make inquiries as to the possibilities and cost of hiring a dredge or any other feasible method of expediting dredging operations, and to report to the board at the January I meeting.” Mr. C. A. Wilkinson seconded. He

thought, however, that the board were ‘‘putting the cart before the horse.” for I the board's position hinged entirely i upon the matter of finance. The money must be raised first, and, when members knew how they were getting along for finance, then they could go ahead. The chairman (Mr. N. King) intimated that the deputation that went to Wellington had every reason to expect they would be able to raifce a loan in London very shortly, and the flotation of a loan was imminent. Matters in connection with the railway had also been gone into by the deputation with Mr. McVilly (general manager of railways), and very satisfactory arrange* ments had been made. NEW BERTH IMPERATIVE. Mr. E. Maxwell said that now the money matter was settled, what was wanted was for the engineer to*go into the question of providing a new berth. It was imperative that the work be carried out as quickly as passible so as to get revenue. Even if the expeI diting of the work cost more, the expenditure would be worm it because of the earlier revenue earned. Mr. Maxwell very much doubted the wisdom of hiring a dredge, for, in the first place, they might pot get just what was wanted, and then there was the expense of keeping it in order, of docking and time lost when the dredge was docked. At present the board was hampered for room. and. if they were to accommodate another dredge, another berth had to be secured. If the engineer could suggest any method for dredging out the stretch at the root of the new work, he thought it feasible to go on with the construction of the new wharf in six*, or at least, twelve months. Then the two works of dredging and building could go on simultaneously. The chairman thought they could start the initial work in connection with the new wharf before the whole stretch of 700 feet was dredged out. The engineer (Mr. Lawson) said he would not like to say that this arrangement would be satisfactory. As regards,, the dredge Tewaneka, he thought this was a good proposition as, though the dredge was small, she was very mobile. Captain Waller, in reply to a question, said he thought room could be made for berthing another dredge. Even if no berth were available it would be possible to moor her in the shelter of the breakwater. In any case it was expected more shelter would be available in six months* time. Mr. Bellringer suggested that the i whole matter should be discussed at I next meeting, when the engineer’s report was received. Every month lost now meant the loss of a month’s trade later on. It was a goml policy to pay extra in order to expedite the work. He, confidently looked forward to the time when the* largest boats coming to New Zealand could be accommodated in the harbor. Mr Bellringer’s motion was then put and carried unanimously.