SAFE FOR SLOOP

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 82, 3 October 1936, Page 15

SAFE FOR SLOOP

NORTHERN WAIROA RIVER

VISIT TO DARGAVILLE

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

DARGAVILLE, October 2,

Any doubts about the possibility of safely navigating the Northern Wairoa River with H.M.S. Leith, which it is proposed should visit Dargaville in February, have been dispelled by soundings taken by the harbourmaster, Captain C. V. Stanich. The warship has an over-all length of 267 ft.and a draught of not more than 10ft and will be able to negotiate the river without any difficulty at high tide. There will be no trouble experienced in turning her for the return trip.

The Borough Council, which is responsible £or the proposed trip, had hoped that the warship would be able to berth at Dargaville Wharf, but soundings reveal' that unless the depth of water increases this will not be possible. The depth of Water at various points is constantly changing and although there is only eight feet of water at the wharf at low tide at the present time, this may increase or on the other hand it may shoal.

If berthing at Dargaville Wharf is out of the question when the time arrives for the Leith's visit, it is considered that sufficient water will be available at either the Northern Wairoa Dairy Co., Ltd.'s wharf or the Kaipara Steamship Co., Ltd's coal wharf. No definite soundings sufficient to indicate the usual depth of water at these wharves have yet been taken, but this work will be carried out when the time for the visit draws nearer.