WESTPORT HARBOUR

Press, Volume C, Issue 29554, 1 July 1961, Page 9

WESTPORT HARBOUR

Minister At Meeting (N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON. June 29. The Minister of Marine (Mr Gerard) was unable tonight to give a largely-attended public meeting any definite information that the Government was prepared to carry out a port improvement scheme at present. The meeting was called to present a ease to the Minister for the development of the Westport Harbour. It was held at the height of one of the most difficult periods in the harbour's history, shipping having been disorganised for the last five weeks mainly because of poor bar depth conditions. Mr Gerard said that the Cabinet had not received final plans for the scheme to extend the harbour walls, which will provide for increased depth over a period from 10 to 15 years. The Minister said he expected it would be three months before this plan came to hand. It might requ.re up to six months for the Cabinet to reach a definite decision on the projects in the report. Mr Gerard said it seemed that the scheme would cost about £650,000. "Before I came to Westport the Minister of Mines (Mr Shand) said he was hopeful of getting a coal utilisation project under way in the near future while there are still prospects of an overseas market being developed.”