JACKSON BAY

Grey River Argus, 27 August 1937, Page 7

JACKSON BAY

HARBOUR TO BE MADE

Cabinet’s Decision

Yesterday the Member for Westland, Mr James O'Brien, M.P., received advice from the Government that Cabinet, at yesterday’s meeting, came to the important decision to sanction the construction of a harbour at Jackson Bay, in far South Westland. Ever since the seventies, when a settlement plan was there inaugurated,-, but later abandoned owing to isolation, the potentialities of the district for production and of the bay for shipping, have been recognised. Reference to an article on Page 3 of this issue will show how confident are South Westlanders that the opening up of the district will add greatly to the national wealth. There is within reach of Jackson Bay probably the greatest remaining stand of virgin timber in New Zealand, also scope for extensive pastoral production. In addition a port would enormously facilitate the operations of the Department of Public Works in completing the connection by road between this province and those of Otago and Southland.

The following was the intimation received by Mr O’Brien: ’You will be pleased to learn that Cabinet has, this day, approved of the construction of a harbour at Jackson Bay. Kind regards. (Signed) P. C. Webo.” Mr D. J. Evans, County Clerk of Westland, and a persistent advocate of improvement in the means of communication for South Westland, wired Mr O’Brien as follows last evening: “Pleased greatly with Cabinet’s decision. Thanks for the good news. Greatly appreciate your help ana the generous action of the Government. Kind regards. (Signed) D. J. Evans. Mr O’Brien also received last evenin* from Mr W. D. Nolan, of Okuru, an expression of his keen gratification at the Cabinet’s decision, and an assurance that it would mean a great development in the district. The plans for .the harbour were some time ago drawn up by engineeis of the Public Works Department, including the construction of a pier and other facilities. The bay is largely sheltered, forming a natural harbour and there will be a very adequate depth of water, enabling large oceangoing vessels to work the harbour. Probably it will be the most conspicuous harbour on the West Coas-., and when reading is completed, it should form an inlet and outlet for increasing quantities of commodities.