BAY OF PLENTY HABOUR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 71, Issue 55, 14 December 1950, Page 3

BAY OF PLENTY HABOUR

COMMISSION FAVOURS TAURANGA MINISTER ANNOUNCES FINDINGS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Doc. 13. Tauranga is favoured to provide deep water port facilities for the Bay of Plenty in the report of the Government Commission which was set up to inquire into the proposals for a Bay of Plenty harbour. Releasing the report, the Minister of Works (Mr W. S. Goosman) said to-day that the way was now clear for orderly and progressive improvement in services to shipping, in the Bay of Plenty. The findings were that improvements to port facilities in the Bay of Plenty were necessary and should be undertaken in progressive stages as trade expanded. The deep-water site at Mount Maunganui, in Tauranga Harbour, was considered to have substantial advantages over Whakatane or any other alternative site to handle the products of the Murupara development of the Kaingaroa State Forest. Deep-water berthage was essential, said Mr Goosman. Mount Maunganui would readily provide such facilities at a minimum cost, and there was no reason to doubt that in due course large overseas vessels would also be accommodated. It was hoped that discussions between the Tauranga Harbour Board arid Government departments would begin soon, so that decisions on railway access and land for port development could be made.