TARANAKI HARBOUR BOARD

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 18 September 1924, Page 10

TARANAKI HARBOUR BOARD

LOAN OF £600,000.

UNANIMOUSLY ENDORSED BY ELTHAM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) There was a good attendance of rate,at a s P ecial meeting called bv the Eltham Chamber of Commerce foi the purpose of hearing details of the proposal to raise £600,000 for harbour improvements and developments, which \\eie explained by the chairman of the board (Mr. C. E. Bellringer) ri Mr - I *. J - Bridger (president of the Chamber) presided, and in introducing Mr Bellringer he stated that there could be no question as to the value of; the port at New Plymouth to the whole of Taranaki. The previous loan, which created so much opposition from the southern part of the province j had proved its worth and the money expended had been well worth while to the farming and commercial interests and h e could see no reason why the further sum, if judiciously expended, should not benefit the province to an even greater degree. The overseas boats had proved that they could berth at New Plymouth with safety and at a considerable saving of freight. Mr. C_ E. Bellringer gave an interesting general outline of the proposal" He had already 1 met representatives of the large commercial interests qnd had received their hearty support to the scheme. The trade at the port had increased enormously since the 1918 loan was raised. The imports through the port at that time amounted to 750 tons, and in 1922 they had increased to 47,176 tons, and so far this ve ar the total imports were 49,385 tons. The development of the port had an important bearing on trade, owing to the great saving in freight. instance, said Mr. Bellrinonr. 2fk iw.

saved on every ton of manure imported through the port of New Plymouth, and also it was estimated that the amount saved on case oil was £IB,OOO. The manure imports had increased from 1000 tons in 1020 to 15,716 tons for 1923. Case oil had increased from 422/ tons in 1920 to 17,031 tons in 1923. Some £IO,OOO had been saved on general cargo. It was estimated that £50,090 had been saved to the district in 1923 by the development of the port, and for the eight months of this year a saving of £47,000 had been made. No rates had been collected on the former proposals for sixteen years, and lie did not think that a rate would be struck for the present proposal, as the trade of the port would further develop as the work progressed. The increased trade would provide suffie : ent revenue to meet the interest and sinking fund on the £600,000 loan which the board proposed to raise. It was proposed to lengthen the breakwater some 725 feet and to provide increased be .thing accommodation, and also to deepen the water by dredging to a depth of 42 feet. The work ~ would take until about 1928 to complete, and would be done hv the contract system. The exports of the port had also increased considerably In 1919 six overseas vessels called and took 4770 tons, and in 1923 twenty-three vessels left the port with 18,307 tons. Mr. Bellringer was then asked a number of questions on the matter.

Mr. Crump asked if the board proposed reclaiming any land, and Mr. Bellringer stated that at present there was no proposal in that direction. The

board had some 200 acres of land under its control, some of which was earning ' ei 7 g°°d revenue. The board did pro pose to greatly increase the shed accommodation and to provide for private delivery of merchandise to all importers. After a number of other matters had been satisfactorily explained, Mr. Bridger moved : “That this meeting of ratepayers in the southern area of"the Taranaki Harbour Board district endorse the proposal as outlined by its chairman, Mr C. E. Bellringer, with' regard to the £*600,000 loan "’for harbour improvements and developipont.” Mr. J. Taylor, in seconding, said that he had great faith in the board members and the scheme they proposed. Mr J. Cocker also endorsed the proposals and supported the motion. Mr. T. B. Crump expressed his appreciation of the scheme. A port that was developing at the rate stated by the chairman of the board must not be retarded or kept back by lack of enterprise. He was astounded at the figures quoted and the progress mad? since the 1918 loan had been expended. The motion was then put and carried unanimously. Mr. Bellringer was accorded a vote of thanks.