THE STATE OF THE WESTPORT BAR.

Grey River Argus, Volume 57, Issue 10520, 27 August 1901, Page 4

THE STATE OF THE WESTPORT BAR.

(o) The Westport News of Friday says —"We understand that there is a strong opinion in favor of erecting the necesfary appliances for pumping sand on one of the hoppers. This might do as a makeshift, but would not meet the requirements of the port. We may say that when in Dunedin we mentioned the proposal to Mr Rawson, who has now had some experience with sand dredgers, and his reply was that the hoppers would not be powerful enough. But the position in the harbor is becoming so serious that . immediate action must be taken to improve it. Yesterday the Poherua, drawing only 15ft 6in, was unable to leave at high water, and Mr Dalgleish, local Managerfor the Union Company, was compelled to wire to headquarters that in the present state of the bar it was of no use sending vessels to the port of the Rotokino class." The Westport Times furnishes the following on the same subject : — All interested in shipping, and the commnnity generally are awaiting the meeting of the Harbor Board, in expectation of definite steps being taken to meet the shoaling of the bar. The absence of floods has induced a condition of things that is most injurious to the interests of the port. The members and officers of the Board have several schemes under consideration, viz., extending either of the training walls or obtaining a sand pump. The assistance of Mr Bell has been invoked, but his unfortunate illness has so far prevented him reporting. ..... The shoaling may be looked upon as temporary, due to. a combination of unfortunate circumstances, but steps must, and will be taken to remove the hindrance and prevent repetition.