CRISIS AT PORT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 206, 1 September 1938, Page 22

CRISIS AT PORT.

DISPUTE WITH BOARD. SILTING IN HARBOUR. 2000 MAY BE AFFECTED. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) NAPIKR, tliie day. Freezing works and representatives of overseas shipping interests have been notified by Richardson and Company that lightering of overseas vessels cannot be continued under the present conditions. This action, which has caused a crisis in lightering, work at Port Ahuriri, is the sequel to the refusal of the Napier Harbour Board to permit lighters drawing more than (ift. to use the inner harbour channel at certain stages of the tide. All Hicliardson and Company's permanent shipping staff have been notified by the company that their services will not be required after the end of September. An attempt to overcome the deadlock will be made by Mr. L. B. Campbell, secretary of the Marine Department, who is coming to Napier to-day to confer with the parties concerned. Outlet by Rail. If the deadlock continues the only alternative outlet for the products of the province will be by rail to Wellington.

The trouble wae the outcome of enormous quantities of silt brought down by the rivers in successive floods since last March. This silt so affected the channel that lightering interests claim that it is now practically impossible to work the roadstead except at high tide.

Lightering interests, who arc supported jby shipping companies, . claim that they must have sufficient water to work the inner harbour at all tides. Overseas shipping interests claim that a pledge given in 1927 that the channel would be kept open until the breakwater scheme was completed has not been honoured. The deputy -chairman of the Napier Harbour Board, Mr. E. J. Herrick, said that the board would not bs drawn by tactics harmful to the district. Such tactics, he alleged, were being followed by the board's opponent*!. "Following the investigation to be carried out by the Secretary of the Marine Department, the true facts will be made known," added Mr. Herrick. "The' investigation is to be carried out at the special request of the board, and in the meantime, and with the full sense of responsibility, I say there are no grounds, for the statements which have been made." Seriousness of Position. "This is a very serious matter and may mean the closing of the port," said the president of the Napier Watersiders , Union, Mr. P. Mqoney, when interviewed. "In epite of assurances given there is not enough • water to enable the boate to get out." Mr. Mooney added that, by recent advice given by the Napier Harbour Board, skippers were not allowed to take vessels out unless the tide was full. This would entail working on the double shift principle, and this was far too costly to be practicable. "About 2000 people are dependent directly and indirectly on the waterfront for their livelihood and to deprive them of thie is a very serious matter," concluded Mr. Mooney.