Deputation to the. Harbor Board.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3457, 23 January 1880, Page 2

Deputation to the. Harbor Board.

A deputation of Shortland residents waited on the Harbor Board this morning re the proposal to improve the navigation of the Shortland channel. The following gentlemen composed the deputation :— Messrs W. Wilkinson, Marshall. Farrell, Stone, Veale, Carpenter, Mcllhone, Hansen, Speight, Litchfield, Onyon and Dr Kilgour, who acted as spokesman. The following members of the Harbour Board were present:—The Major (in the chair), Messrs Leydon, Osborue, Head, Bagnall and Wilson. Dr Kilgour said the deputation wished to bring under the notice of the Board the advisability of diverting the Sauaeranga Creek from its present tortuous course to the old one, the course of which was obstructed by several sandbanks, and the cutting through of which the Harbour Master informed them could be done for £150. . Mr Wilkinson said there Lad been some talk about concentrating the traffic on the Burke street wharf, but they should remember that the additional traffic; on that wharf would cause so much wear and tear that it would actually cost more to do that than to improve the channel at Shortland. Mr Leydon spoke in favor .of the work beiug carried out. He had given, some consideration <o the matter, and thought the diverson of the channel quite feasible. He moved that tenders bo called for the work at once. This failed to find a seconder. Mr Bead questioned if the Board had the means to do the work. They were already considerably overdrawn, and he did not think the Bank would grant them a further advance. The Shortland people should put their hands in their pockets and subscribe. He would be willing to assist. Messrs Driver, Farrell, Mcllhone, and other members of the deputation spoke in favour of fhe project. Mr Bagnall said he favored the idea, but questioned if the channel would bo a permanent one. Sir John Coode mentioned it in his report, but only spoko on the authority of the Harbor Master, Captain Best. After some further remarks, the deputation withdrew. Mr B»s;nall then moved " That the matter of improving the navigation of the Kiiuaeranga chanael be referred to a Committee consisting of the Chairman, Messrs Head, Ehrenfried, and the mover to consider the advisability qf diverting the channel in the manner suggested in Sir John Coode's report, tho cost of the same, and if the Committee recommended an expenditure, to suggest how the money can be obtained, the committee to report at next meeting of the Board. Mr Osborne seconded.—Carried. Before adjourning it was agreed that the" saino Committee should visit the Burke and Albert strpet wharves to see what pan be done to repair them.