TRANSITION PERIOD

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 10854, 25 March 1929, Page 3

TRANSITION PERIOD

“CHANGE OVER” TO KAITI

BASIN

BOARD AND SHIPPERS CONFER , .

Shipping agents and representatives of tlio Harbor Board conferred on Saturday concerning the facilities, that Will l>e available to steamers and lighterage vessels during tne transition period covering the ''‘change over" from tlio town side to the new harbor in Kaiti basin. The conference was marked by a spirit of co-operation to assist in surmounting tlio difficulties that nuist confront tho -board and the shippers. Mr \V. G. Shci-ratt, chairman of the board, occupied tlio chair, and with Captain Carson, harbormaster, Messrs 0. F. Marshall, Smith, engineer, and H. A. Barton, secretary, represented tlio Board, whilst tho shipping firm’s -delegates were Messrs F. Tolerton, F. W. Roach, SCato, I. «T. Quigley, .11. L. Clare, 11. lied, J. Wilson and S. Williams. Towards tho end of each week, tlio arrival of three ships from Auckland on Thursday and one or two vessels from the south on Friday caused considerable congestion, the chairman pointed out. the berthage and lighterage facilities being taxed to their utmost. Experience had proved that tho accommodation was inadequate hub it; was very gratifying to know that the inconvenience and delay had been reduced to a minimum, In tho next few months, however, the* shortage 01 berthage would he more accentuated and it was hoped hv tlio conference to reduce tho trouble to a minimum. During tho “change over’’ period, whilst tho berthages in tho Kaiti basin wero being completed ami the dredging of the river channel was proceeding, said Captain Carson, lighters could not he allowed to unload in the basin, and all lightered cargo would have to he discharged at the town - wharf meantime. To rcacli this tho lighters would have to regularly use the barge gate, which would ho left open at the northern end of the training wall. Dealing with tho discharge of cargo, tho harbormaster pointed out that some inconvenience was likely, due to tho fact that in tlie early part of tho week the Knit i sheds wore generally empty, but in tlio last three days of the six, the sheds were ]nicked with merchandise delivered from the several vessels which arriv- < d in that period. If the shipping firms could arrange for their vessels to arrive on different days, instead of practically simultaneously. the congestion at the berthages and in tho cargo sheds could he obviated, hut that he supposed would be impossible. Continuing, Captain Carson tendered the conference some advice concerning the precautions to be taken by vessels approaching berths, warning them that ships would have to travel dead slow passing through the narrow channel opposite the freezing works, as undue wash at any .speed would damage the mooring lines of other vessels tied to the wharves. He cited one instance ol this trouble already. A general discussion followed in winch the agents indicated they did not favor making any alteration in the schedule of movements of steam ers from Auckland, preferring to accept- the inconvenience caused by the congestion" at this end. It was suggested that berthage ultimately might ho provided along the tiaining wall. The engineer (Mi C. F. Marshall Smith), in reply to questions stated that fully a year would elapse before the railway would he available at Kaiti basin for tin* direct discharge of coal into trucks. Coal laden barges meantime would have to ho dischaiged at the town wharf. Provision would he made in the completion of tlio Kaiti wharves for special equipment for handling coal and merchandise destined for country railway stations. A stack wlmri would he provided later about the site now occupied by the blacksmith's shop, whilst lighters would load at special berths replete with railway connections opposite the freezing works. In this connection a suggestion that provision .should ho made for shunting trucks at the site of the meat- loading berths was noted for consideration. The chairman reiterated that the hoard would welcome any suggestions from the shipping firms, who were well acquainted with the port requirements. The hoard wanted tiie new liarbor to he complete and satisfactory. They did not want to complete the work and then lind something had been overlooked. He invited them to submit- any suggestion promising that it would be earnestly considered. 'Plu* concensus of opinion of the shipping delegates was that 11 u? hoard was doing its bets to provide facilities over a difficult period, and to provide for future requirements. Captain. Carson said that in the course of a few months there would he sufficient depth of water for more conveniently working of tho harbo; hut in tho meantime shipmasters would have to co-operate with the hoard’s officers to avoid mutual inconvenience. Tlio Kaiti basin would prove a really good liarbor, being about the same size and similar to that built on the Yarra at Melbourne.