MOVES TO IMPROVE WEST COAST TRADE

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29843, 8 June 1962, Page 14

MOVES TO IMPROVE WEST COAST TRADE

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON. June 7. The Government would continue to explore every prospect of improving trade at the ports of Greymouth and Westport, the Minister of Marine (Mr Gerard) said today. He reiterated the Government's approval in principle of extending the tip heads at Westport at an estimated cost of £650,000 when trade requirements warranted it. In a second statement. Mr Gerard, as Minister of Lands, outlined the progress of big land development schemes under way on the West Coast. He said more than 100 farmers had been assisted by advances exceeding £ 200.000 for approved development. Already this week schemes had been announced to utilise West Coast timber.

Today, Mr Gerard said the Government was vitally concerned with the development of Westport and Greymouth harbours. An electric crane to replace the oldest of the steam cranes was being erected at Westport by the Railways Department and approval had been given to replace the wharf goods shed. Access roads were being provided directly to the ships’ sides. New dredging equipment costing £87,000 had enabled the Greymouth Harbour Board to undertake a new dredging system, including the purchase of dump barges and a modern dragline. When it came into operation £lO.OOO would then be spent putting in order Greymouth’s present dredge Mawhera, to replace the Westport dredge. Maui. On farming, the Minister said seven new land devel-

opment schemes had begun on 10.000 acres in the last two years. Eleven blocks amounting to 24.500 acres were being developed by the department. These had a potential of 21 dairy and 19 sheep farms. Productivity of existing farms was being helped substantially by the operations of the Marginal Lands Act, Mr Gerard said. More than £200.000 had been advanced to farmers to implement approved development programmes.