GREY BAR REMEDY

Grey River Argus, 15 January 1944, Page 4

GREY BAR REMEDY

RESTORE RIVER SCOUR Eminent Advice HON J. O’BRIEN MEETS HARBOUR BOARD. Yesterday morning the Hon. J; O’Brien (Minister of Marine) accompanied by Mr F. W. Furkert (formerly Chief Engineer, Public Works) and Mr. J. B. Kent (chairman ot the Grey Harbour Board) inspected the Greymouth harbour, traversing the training walls in the Grey River, and also the tidal lagoon, (Eua Moana). The partyi also visited Point Elizabeth, and viewed there the site proposed for a harbour. . Yestei'day afternoon the Minister, together with Mr. Furkert, Mr.. C. rl. Benney (Under-Secretary of Mines), Mr. H. Hadcroft (Superintendent ot State Mines) and Mr. Kensington (the Minister’s Private Secretary) met the members of the Harbour Board. The Chairman, Mr. Kent, who presided, extended a welcome to the Minister and his party. Hon Mr. O’Brien, replying to the welcome, thanked the chairman, and said that he had brought Mr. Furkert whom he considered to be the highest authority in the Dominion, to report on the state of the harbour, and he had also brought to meet the Board, Mr. Bienney and Mr. Hadcroit both of whom were also keenly interested because of the necessity oi getting coal to the North Island. Approximately 6,000 tons of coal per week, said Mr. O’Brien, were shipped from Greymouth. He had that day been in touch with his Department, and through it he had approached the shipping companies, asking that ships should be provided to work this, port, I even if it meant their going out part loaded, and finishing their loading at Westport. The Anchor Company had already signified its intention ot providing two vessels. The. port oi Greymouth was bound up with . the economic structure of the Dominion since from Greymouth went forward large supplies of coal and of timber, two commodities which were badly needed at the present time. Therefore, everything possible would be done to assist the Board in keeping the port efficient. DETERIORATION OF HARBOUR. ; Mr. Furkert said that there was no royal road for immediate assistance. He recalled two occasions during the time that he was Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department when he was sent out hurriedly to accomplish almost the impossible. However, he ha'd been examining the Greymouth Harbour, and he had found that the Board had been allowing some of the most, necessary part of their harbour go into, unrepair. When he and Mr. , Blair Mason 'had reported pn *»this harbour several years ago, Mr. . Mason had estimated that the flow in the Grey River was 4,000 cusecs, and he had also estimated that another 4,000 cusecs would be secured from the lagoons. The training walls, said Mr. Furket, were designed to keep the now of the river impinging on the bar, but, on examining the state .of the lagoon and of the walls, he had found cattle graising where there should be water on the Cobden side, and that the construction of an

aerodrome had filled in a great part of the tidal basin on the other side. The training walls had been allowed to fall into disrepair, and the water was not directed, as it should be, so as to give the best effect. He held that the neglect of the tidal basins and lagoons meant feet of difference in the depth of water on the bar. Mr. Furkert continued that the capital works that had been proposed, such as Point Elizabeth and the deep sea harbour scheme, would take years to construct, and he felt that, even if they were gone ahead with, it would be doubtful if they would be effective. The Admiralty engineer who reported on the Point Elizabeth schme had stated that it would be a verv expensive job, and when constructed would not be an effective harbour. Schemes such as the control and storage of water at Lake Brunner, and the turning of the Taramakau River into Lake Brunner had been also carefully considered. and had been turned down as ineffective and dangerous. REMEDY INDICATED. Summed up, Mr. Furkert’s report was that the tidal basin should be dredged and the training walls put in order. He also pointed out that the bed of the ocean had risen some 23 feet since previous reports were made. This showed that the training walls would have to be extended if the depth of water was to be maintained on the bar. If this were done, it would have the effect of slowing up the river and of raising the flood level in the town. He had also considered the sea harbour scheme, and he suggested that a harbour at Pomt Elizabeth would when completed allow the sand to come in, and would require dredging. Several questions were asked by Mr. Smeaton, Mr. J. A. Murdoch, Mr. W. Clayton and Hon. Mr. O’Brien, and were replied to by, Mr. Furkert. MINISTER REQUESTS ESTIMATES Mr. O'Brien asked that the engineers should prepare an estimate of the cost of repairs for the walls and of dredging the lagoon. He stated that these estimates would be considered by the Government. Shipping Companies PREPARED TO HELP. Questioned last evening regarding the .prospects of shipping operations at the port of Greymouth under the conditions at present prevailing, Hon. J. O’Brien. Minister of Marine, replied that he had received word that the Anchor Shinning Coyt, and the Union Steam Ship Company were most anxious to assist ‘in any way,. The local agency for the Anchor Coy had stated that the Company has two shins which will be put in commission as soon as possible. The Marine Superintendent of the Union Coy, had stated that he has several vessels at Wellington and Auckland ready-for instant departure for Greymouth immediately there is a sufficient improvement to allow of these vessels entering here and getting away w.kth a part loading, their cargoes to be completed at Westport. Mr. O’Brien pointed out that in the meantime the tides were falling,! and that therefore the use of the port by these vessels would be prevented for the next few days. Both shipping companies, however, would keep in touch vith the Harbourmaster, and would despatch for Greymouth vessels suitable for the state of , the bar and of thP tides.