A PROGRESSIVE PROPOSAL

Evening Star, Issue 14523, 26 November 1910, Page 5

A PROGRESSIVE PROPOSAL

13 V MR BELCHER

A LOT IN IT,

“This is too big, altogether.” So said Mr W. Gow of a scheme proposed by Mr W. Belcher at tho meeting of the Harbor Board yesterday afternoon. Tho scheme to some extent has already been outlined in tho columns of this paper, Mr Belcher having spoken of his ideas to a ! Star ’ reporter. Briefly put, his scheme is to concentrate shipping at the head of tho harbor by means of erecting a series of wharves on tho “ T ” system, running out from the present mud-flat south of the Kitchener street wharf. Mr Belcher had gone to the trouble of procuring a plan of his scheme, which showed tho improvements as clear as a pikestaff. He pointed out that it would be necessary to built a wall across the harbor, and to reclaim some 200 acres of swamp. No large vested interests would require buying up. The basin would accommodate every ship that could como up the harbor, and ships would have the advantage of lying north gnd south, practically end on to the prevailing winds. In addition |to such advantages proper provision could bo made for motor boats and yachts, and also for train and tram services. And all kinds of stores arid warehouses could bo built on the 200 acres adjacent to tho now wharves. Ho emphasised tho fact that the present wharves are too straggling. He suggested, too, that the Anderson Bay iulct could bo made into a recreation ground second to none in tho Dominion. It could bo made by the ground dug from the foreshore opposite for wharf accornmodatiou. If this scheme became operative the tongue wharf could then be Tipped off, and tho abomination in which thoy sat could bo removed, decent offices erected for the Board, and tho present site bo made an ideal landing place for ferry steamers. He put tho idea before them for what it was worth, and moved—“ That, in carrying out any schonio for tho reclamation of that portion of harbor abutting on the Anderson Bay road, proper provision should be made for train and tram connections with tho main line of tho rail and tram services.”

Mr Ross seconded tho motion, and said tho scheme did not go far enough. Tho time had come when tho Board should set up a committee of tho whole Board to go into the question of tho future policy. Ho was in favor of the “ T ” system of wharf, more especially as land along tho foreshoro was becoming so valuable. Air Gow, as already • mentioned, considered the scheme as “too big.” He did not cast any reflection on Air Belcher’s genius, but he thought this matter ought to bo let alone in the meantime. Let tho matter bo dealt with by a report of the engineer. Ho hoped tho Board would consent to merely negative tho resolution. Mr Loudon said tiro motion was important enough to submit to a committee of the whole Board and tho engineer. Concentration would bo better for both importers and exporters. He moved as an amendment that the scheme bo submitted to a special meeting of the Board. Air Platts seconded tho amendment. The Chairman said Mr Belcher was to bo commended for the trouble he had taken in tho matter. It spoke well for Otago Harbor when their members went into such laborious details for the good of the community. The amendment was carried.

A further motion by Mr Belcher—- “ That the engineer bo requested to report on the depth, width, and general navigable facilities of the Lower Harbor from the harbor boundaries at tho Heads to Port Chalmers j also as to the depths of water which can, by further dredging, bo obtained alongside the wharves at Port Chalmers ” —was carried without discussion.