PROGRESSIVE MARLBOROUGH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10242, 19 May 1911, Page 5

PROGRESSIVE MARLBOROUGH.

PICTON, Last Night

In performing the . ceremony of drivihig the finst pile in the new Picton "Wnarf, rthe Hon. J. A. Millar spoke of the progress made by Marlborough as a justification for the expenditure of public money, and in reply 'to tHe criticism of the Press on the extravagance, he said there was no accommodation for a direct' steamer at present, and it was folly to do a large work only for a year or two and then have to make an addition. ' They were looking forward to Picton being the terminal port of the South Island. (Applause.) Trade isou/fchof the Kaikouras would sti,ll go .to Lytitelton. The wharf would be 616 feet long as compared with 450 feet of the present wharf, and 68 feet broad, sufficient to accommodate four lines of railway, with a, depth of " water of SO to 35 feet at low tide. It was the first ferro concrete wharf to be built by the Government, which it is hoped to in two years. The tonnage of Piciton's shipping was 861,000 last year, with a great prospect of an increase. The depth of water might be increased witlli the requirements of shipping during the next ten or fifteen years. Settlers of Marlborough, should assist in the development. He wanted to see Picton getting credit as an export port for i±s produce, and exports were now credited rto Wellington. South Island produce should go to credit of the South Island. The icost of the wharf would' be £35,000, and the total cost of reclamation and other works £56,000. The Minister expressed confidence in the future of Marlborough, and hoped the settlers and all would co-operate to that end.