OTAGO HARBOR BOARD

Evening Star, Issue 15537, 6 July 1914, Page 4

OTAGO HARBOR BOARD

DEPUTATION TO MINISTERS. A DEEP-WATER BERTH. [Feom Oue Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, July 6. A deputation from the Otago Harbor Board, consisting of Messrs H. E. Moller (chairman), J. Loudon, T. Seollay, J. Dickson, W. Belcher, J. Blair Mason (engineer), and W. J. Bardsley (secretary), waited on the Prime Minister and the Hon. W. H. Hemes to-day for the purpose of requesting the Government to widen the Railway Department's wharf, known as the George street pier, in order to enable the board to establish a deepwater berth to accommodate large vessels. The deputation were introduced by Mr E. H. Clark, M.P. With the exception of the board's executive officers, all the members of the deputation spoke in support of the application, each urging the vital necessity for a deep-water berth for oversea liners.

Mr Moller pointed out that the Minister of Railways advised the board last year to renew the application after 12 months, when the Estimates were being considered, so they had come to advocate a vote for the work of widening the wharf. The board were prepared to spend £7,000 on dredging, but they could not proceed unless the railway "wharf was widened. The cost to the department would be £4,000. He hoped the Government would see their way clear to authorise the widening of th.o George street pier.

Mr Seollay emphasised that Otago's first and most pressing need was a deep-water berth for shipping. If that was not provided all the board's schemes and good intentions would be of no account. Practically all the produce of Otago was shipped from the George street pier. It was therefore absolutely necessary to provide facilities for big ships. Increased berthage accommodation would attract shipping.

Mr Dickson assured the Ministers that there was no conflict between the interests of the Upper Harbor and the Lower Harbor. Mr Herries had referred to the existence of a difference of opinion, but he (the Minister) had been misinformed.

Mr London said it was absolutely imperative to have a deep-water berth. He emphasised the prospects of the development of the fruit industry in Otago, ~.]<? the consequent increase in the expott trade from the port of Otago. Mr Belcher said the quintessence of the deputation's mission was to obtain an assurance that the •Government woiild widen their wharf at Port Chalmers. As soon as that was given the board would immediately go on with their developmental work. He pointed out that heavy expenditure had been incurred by ibe bo-ird in altering the conditions of Jnc harbor and preparing for the development of trade and shipping. There was no difference of opinion between Port Chalmers and Dunedin in regard to the necessity for a deep-water berth at J' >-t Chalmers.

The Minister of Railways, in reply, snid he was still waiting for an assurance as to the board's future policy. Was Dun edin or Port Chalmers to' bo the main port in future ? As had been indicated by a speaker at Port Chalmers, it W'ju d be folly for the denartment to widen the wharf at Port and incur expenditure, and then find the board coming along and saying that if the railway rates were not reduced between Port Chalmers and Dunedin they would make Dunedin a port for deep-sea vessels. Ho wanted a definite assurance that Port Chalmers woidd be the port for oversea vessels. He did not want these vessels io unload a portion of their cargo at Port Chalmers -.mi the balance at Dunedin m order to avoid pavment of railway freight. Mr Loudon said "it would take an enormous expenditure to dredge for oversea liners the niiie miles of waterway between Port Chalmers and Dunedin. Mr Herries said he was still awaiting a definite assurance. Mr Moller said the Minister could lake it from him that the deep-water lerth would be at Port Chalmers. The Prime Minister said he v "ts of opinion that sufficient wharfage should be provided at, Port Chalmers for the "nv".»st vessels trading to the Dominion. While it was necess-iry for the Minister of findwavs to consider the matter from n i-'is--ness point of view, he felt satisfied that from the assurance given it would be nepussarv for the d°v>irtmrmt to comply with the re<ji>"st. hj"" h"d no doubt the deputation, before thev left for tlv f-'nuth. "-mild be able, to come to nrvamtements with the Minister and Mr Hiley (General Manager of Railways).