HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 14926, 12 July 1912, Page 9

HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —As a result of the recent inspection of this harbor by Captain Bollcston, K.N., it is stated that Otago Harbor is to ho made a sub-tuvr.l station. That is good news. To make the most of our opportunity, however, our harbor should forthwith bo deepened from tho Heads up to Port Chalmers, thus making our docks more accessible to Admiralty vessels, and tho result would be that the Otago llatbor Heard would no doubt get an annual naval docking subsidy, similar to that received by the Auckland Harbor Board from tho Admiralty in respect to the Calliope dock. Another matter deserving of immediate attention is the reclamation of Mussel Bay, in order that tho foundries and machine shops, which are cramped at Port Chalmers at present for lack of space, may bo able to-expand and extend their plants, thus making the Port more valuable and moro indispensable as a ship-repairing and docking station. It would all make for the advancement of Otago Harbor and the increased prosperity of Otago. Some time ago tho Harbor Boaid. in connection with the taking over of the valuable Dock 'trust properties, which included the docks, undertook to reclaim portion of Mussel Bay. The bay is very shallow, and net a great deal of material would be required to reclaim it. I feel sure the Port Chalmers Council would give the Harbor Board the right to take stone from the Corporation quarry l tree of charge, for the purpose of building the reclamation wall. Now that the City is about to extend its electrical power to Port Chalmers, for the purpose of lighting the wharves and railway station. the power will be available for the Haibor Board's electrically-driven suction dredge, which is used lor pumping tho spoil on to reclamation area?. I understand that the water in Mussel Bay is so shallow that the dredge bringing the spoil tar-not go into the bay at low water, but that could be easily got over by extending the piping on trestles out to such depth as is navigable to the dredges. These works arc important. If the Lower Harbor were made more accessible to war vessels—and there is no insurmountable difficulty involved in doing so —- then the resulting subsidy that would no doubt be paid, us in Auckland, would probably do moro than pay tho interest on the inenev expended in improving tho harbor. And the harbor thus improved would bo also more accessible to merchant- shipping. The rents received from Mussel Bay reclaimed would much more than pay interest on the cost of reclamation. Besides, the reclaiming of that area would enable those industries to expand which have not only supplied work to a largo number or people, but by the achievements registered in the matter of dealing effectively with the emergencies which are characteristic of shipping have given this harbor a worldwide reputation lor first-class ship ingThese suggestions relate to distinct factors In promoting the popularity and progress of Otago Harbor, and enhancing the * resourcefulness and prosperity of this province. What can be clone? Tho opportunity is with its. —I am, etc., T.S. Port Chalmers, July 11.