THE KAIAPOI RIVER TRADE.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10777, 3 October 1900, Page 3

THE KAIAPOI RIVER TRADE.

The Waimakariri River Board on Monday discussed the question of improving the river once more.

The port trade of Kaiapoi has been practically killed by the railway, and what .little remains is jeopardised by the fact that the accumulations of silt at the bar have increased the number of bar accidents to such an extent, that masters of vessels are afraid to go over it. Mr Daly at the Board meeting asked if vessels were likely to come into the river again. The Chairman said he had heard no authority for the statement to the contrary. Mr Daly proceeded to point out that the sooner the Board did its duty by procuring another dredge the better. A discussion followed on the question of sea and railway carriage. ;ilr Daly said that the Board must either go on or stop altogether Other members drew attention to the disastrous results of procuring dredges in the past. Mr Mathews said that if it paid owners of vessels to bring them into Kaiapoi, they would do so, but thought that a, steamer which would nofc be detained by winds, as he had seen ten or twelve vessels held in the good old times, was really required for the river. Mr Feldwick saad he hardly thought it possible to revive the old trade again. After some further discussion Mr Daly announced that he intended to seek for further information, and if necessary move that steps be taken forthwith to improve die river by dredging. The matter was then dropped.