Support For Timaru As Port of Final Loading

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28490, 21 January 1958, Page 12

Support For Timaru As Port of Final Loading

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, January 20.

A proposal that Timaru should in due course become a port of final loading has the full support of an inter-departmental committee of experts which has examined the port and rail problems of every part of New Zealand. The examining group, which consisted of officers of the Marine, Agriculture, Railways, Transport and Works Departments, made its report to the previous Government. The full report has not yet been released publicly. The group studied the position at Timaru against the following suggested deficiencies supplied by the using authorities:— The present draft of the berthage is inadequate for a final loading port; The lack' of flush decking on No. 1 wharf prevents the use of road transport; A viaduct over the railway is required to speed up road transport deliveries; Two cranes are needed on No. 1 wharf; The timing of train arrivals is unsatisfactory; Road transport could relieve the railways and do short haulage work (notably wool and meat); More cranes are needed in the railway yards; A fifth railway line is needed on No. 1 wharf. Evidence examined showed an annual cargo volume of 181,400 tons, of which 30 per cent, comprises exports. The Harbour Board estimates the volume of exports to rise in 15 years to 80,000 tons. The Department of Agriculture assesses that over the next 30 years the production of the Timaru area will maintain its present proportion of the Dominion’s exports. Rail Access The examining group found the existing road and rail systems through the main production areas satisfactory, but has made the fol-

lowing comments: “Rail access to the three wharves is over the same single line. Double shunting is required to reach No. 1 wharf, where refrigerated cargo is usually loaded.

“To obviate the delays thus caused, the Railways Department has agreed to provide separate access from the main marshalling yard to No. 1 wharf, along with a fifth railway track for improved access to the eastern berth on this wharf. It would be highly desirable that this work be given early priority. “Associated with improved access to this wharf is the provision of additional sidings in the marshalling yards for loading and discharging the goods handled through the port. The Railways Department has under way the preliminary work for this project, which should be completed as early as possible. A mobile crane in addition to the one at present in use would be of great assistance.

“No. 1 wharf is the only one suitable for road transport in conjunction with rail, provided it is completely flush-decked. Road transport could then be used to supplement rail, making -the transport system more flexible.”