DEVELOPING THE PORT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 89, 9 January 1919, Page 8

DEVELOPING THE PORT

THORNDON RECLAMATION

SLOW PROGRESS OF NEGOTIATIONS

The Minister ot Railways, speaking this week with reference to schemes of railway development, mentioned that tho Wellington scheme, including the new railway station and the- reclamation at Thorndon for sidings and other purposes, had been enlarged. The Minister mentioned that the Railway Department, the City Council, and the Harbour Board had reached agreement "on tho main points," and ho indicated that the new reclamation would begin soon after the return of the Wellington Harbour Board's engineer, Mr. .1. Marchbanks, who is visiting America.

The elow progress that has been made in this matter is illustrated by the following extract from the report of the Minister of Munitions, submitted to Parliament last session and dealing particularly with the facilities for the handling of coal at the large centres of the Dolii in ion:—

"On August 23, 1917, I addressed my colleague, the Hon. Minister of Public Works, as follows: '(1) Attention having been directed to the loss of time and the expense incurred in handling coal supplies at main centres, it has occurred to me as advisable to collect information in regard to labour-saving appliances, with a view to obtaining a comprehensive report from eoine competent source in recard to the matter generally. (2) I shall be obliged, therefore, if you can find it convenient to depute one of your officers, or to. request your Department, to investigate and furnish me with a full report in regard to the matter. (3) I desire in particular to be advised on the followift? heads: (a) Whether the facilities now' commonly used can be improved, and, if so, in what directions, (b) What steps must necessarily be'taken to give effect to miggested improvements, and the cost involved, (c) On whom the burden of the necessary expense should rest, (d) The advantages and disadvantages of carrying into effect any suggestions which might be submitted fw consideration. (i) If you can accede to my wishivs in this connection, will , you kindly direct vonr officers to approach Mr. Adams of my Department, from whom all my papers and particulars in Mgard to this matter can be obtained. ' "Following this request a Mmprehensivo and valuable report on the subject was submitted bv the Engineer-in-Chief of the Public Works' Department, and as a result the desirability of making ii commencement at Wellington was clearly demonstrated. This beirnr bo those in authority arranged for n.senes of conferences iwtwMin. the. Weliineton Uty Engineer, Chief Engineer nf Hie nailwny Department. Kngiueer-in-Clnef of the Public Works Denartment. and the i,ngineer to the Wellington Harbour Board to take pkce. The last communication I have received is a copy memorandum dated'.Tuno 28 last, submitted bv the Kn-"ineer-in-Chief of the Public. Works Department, addressed to his Minister, which reads.:— i ... , , Regarding the comb'iied report of Messrs. Marchbnnks. Morton. MncT.ean, and myself, desij'sd by the Hon. Minister of Munitions, upon the best means for' the development of coal-hnndling' plant in Wellington. I have to report that n meeting of tho above-named gentlemen took place yesterday, when the ouestions referred worn, considered, and it was decided to answer both in the affirmative. The questions are as fol-

lows :— (1) The fldvisabilily of proceedin!,' with Hie grenter reclamation scheme at Thormlon; and (1 Tin , ' advisability of provid-

ing , facilities for unloading and bunkering coal at Thorndon repip.iiiation. .

Tho bare statement in the affirm.!-' (ivo is, however, of Hide value until the committee lias fully explained the nosition: and ■thie cannot be dono until tho Railway Department has completed the plan of what are considered (o be the requirements with regard to the station yard for Wellington, and, further, until that plan has been fully considered by the general manager and definitely adopted' as the plan for the yard. It ie anticipated that it willUake not less than one ■ month for the' Railway

Department to consider this matter. "On tho return of the etujinein- to the Wellington Harbour Board, who is now inspecting coal-handling facilities in America, it is trusted that this important matte; will bo further developed. I may mention in passing that the Auckland Harbour Board have alaq taken similar commendable action with a view to developing- their port in this respect."