BOOSTING A PORT.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 February 1922, Page 2

BOOSTING A PORT.

WHERE WANGANUI SCORES. The visit of the Torrey, the steamer which is coming to load wool at Wanganui, was referred to by Mr. Bignell, chairman of the Wanganui Harbor Board the other evening. Mr. Bignell said he would like very mueh to see the Torrey come up to the Heads Wharf, but the proposition was not as easy as * it sounded, Wanganui would be one of the last ports in New Zealand visited, so that the Torrey would be well loaded by the time she left. When she arrived to load in Wellington she was drawing 16ft., and she would be drawing 18ft. by the time she came to Wanganui. Taking on all the cargo offering at Wanganui, would put her down to 21ft., a considerable draught. There would be no trouble in crossing the tyar inwards, but neap tides were now coming on. Mr. Bignell said the matter was still being considered and it might be arranged for the Torrey to come in and pick up part of the cargo while the tides were favorable. The amount to be taken from Wanganui was very large _BOOO or 9000 bales—and he was going to suggest that the Torrey take part of it and load the balance in the roadstead .He said that Wanganui did not want to have any mishaps in its efforts to get an advertisement. The reporter remarked that New Plymouth were getting advertisements lately- ‘ “Yes, they advertise well. They have to. If they don’t who is going to do it? But I would sooner have our proposition than the New Plymouth one,” said Mr. Bignell. He went on to eay that New Plymouth was at its best now and was doing better than it could ever hope to do in the future. Only one steamer could be berthed and the port was struggling along under heavy charges. Any future development meant very heavy capital expenditure and increased charges. Heavy changes Were a serious handicap on any port. “That is one thing that Wanganui has not, will not have,” said Mr. Bignell. “This is a very cheap port for cargo and we I must keep it a cheap port. Any port can do anything by spending money but the cost has to be met by the traders. The point is to get the Best value for every pound spent. That is why our charges are so low and why cargo is distributed from here all along the coast. The talk about Wanganui cargo going to New Plymouth is all bunkum,” said the chairman rather succinctly—and he laughed at the idea of New Plymouth, which is fifth on the list of ports of the Dominion, calmly suggesting that Wanganui should be pushed out (on paper of course} from fourth place.—Wanganui "Chronicle.