“WORSE THAN EVER."

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10730, 30 October 1928, Page 2

“WORSE THAN EVER."

DEPTH OF RIVER! CHANNEL.

SHIPPING FIRM’S COMPLAINT

“Tha state of the river entrance is worse than it has been for mans years past.” Thus the general manager of Richardson and Coy. Ltd>, complained to the Harbor Board yesterday of the harbor facilities here.

“We find that taking cargo from Napier and Gisborne by the Pakura and having it lightered in the roadstead is very costly indeed, as the lighterage charges are very high,” the letter continued. “With the wool season coming along, and with the large shipments of sheep for Lyttclton, we are of the opinion that the Board should endeavour to make sopio improvement and use the large dredge, even if the work has to ho done from revenue. It would take very little dredging to secure a sufficient depth of water to get through thp. summer season, as we feel that if the dredging is done now, there i.s very little likelihood that further silting will affect the entrance until after the summer season.”

The -chairman (Mr W. G. Sherratt) replied to the complaint in the following terms—‘‘“The proposal to recommence dredging the entrance channel now by utilising the ICorua plant is not practicable. The disabilities affecting particularly such vessels as your company’s Pakura and the need ; for eardly improvement of the conditions were fully realised and the Board intends to proceed with this dredging early next year when the position with regard to the new works will make this practicable. In the meantime .the dredge. John Townley is to be utilised to the fullest possible extent.. It is confidently anticipated' that relief from the present, conditions may be expected early in the new year ” Mr T. Corson announced that liehad received a similar complaint from Richardson’s, and ho considered the basis of their request was reasonable. He emphasised that if an. improved depth of water could be secured in the channel it would not only benefit this particular firm, but the whole community, but, if not, another season would be lost. He urged that the shallower parts of the channel at least should be dredged. Mr.' .A. Wade- considered that the firm had a grievance in that the channel was so shallow as not to admit even coastal vessels. It seemed deplorable the channel should remain unnavigablo for so long. Tha chairman pointed out that coastal vessels had been gblo to berth at the wharf until a month dr two ago. hut the last fresh had increased the silt deposits in' the "hallow parts of the channel. .He intimated that the Korun could not eeonomicallv used on the "work, hut that'the John Townley would be employed in deepening the channel meantime. The engineer (Mr C, F. M. Smith) explained that lie intended to work the John Townley in excavating. in the channel with the filkug behind the Haiti walls.' The spoil from the channel could he pumped over behind the walls. The letter from the chairman to the Richardson Coy. was confirmed.