PROGRESS OF THE PORT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 110, 1 February 1908, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE PORT.

The fine array of statistics prepared .by the Secretary of the Harbour Board, and the glowing oratory of the Chairman of the Board, combine to carry conviction v to those ' who might have any doubts on the subject-, that Wellington is a most progressive port. Taken overi a period of years the forward movement is so very marked, that it would not be surprising to find even a level-headed body of-men, such as the Harbour Board is in the main,-swept forward over-hastily by the great wave progress' which, lias grown with the years.. The Board, however, seems to have preserved its balance. /Even its Chairman, who is somewhat prone view the future, through rose-tinted glasses, due in a measure to the calling to which lie has devoted so large a part of his life,; concluded his pane-: gyrics with a few wise words of,warning, and they found a responsive echo from other members of.the Board. A million sterling for future harbour improvements is indeed a big order. The works may be desirable, some neces-. sary, but the' Board ,is acting wisely in.approaching the huge 'undertaking, proposed with proper caution. Much of the growth of the port has been duo ■ to natural advantages, but a. good deal, of credit must be apportioned to the policy which has ■ been followed of making it a cheap port, and it is desirable'to keep the latter consideration well in view when the time comes for definite decision on any of-the large schemes of expenditure outlined so attractively at this week's meeting of the Board. -. '. ,