HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 2 December 1924, Page 5

HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS.

THE NEW PLYMOUTH SCHEME. MEETING AT ELTHAM. Details of the scheme for the completion of which the New Plymouth Harbour Board propose to raise a loan of £600,000 were explained by Mr C. E. Bellringer at a public meeting in the Eltham Town Hall last night. At the conclusion of the address, Mr C. A. Wilkinson asked what type of wharf the Board proposed to build. Did they contemplate building in wood or concrete? Mr Bellringer replied that ferroconcrete would be employed. | Mr Wilkinson asked if, in fixing the liability for the loan, the Board intended dividing the district into three in the same manner as had been done in connection with the previous loan? Mr Bellringer said that the Board did intend dividing the district up in the same way so as to arrive at the relative liability of the various areas in accordance with their proximity to the port. The liability of No. 3 district, which extended from about Ngaere down, was about one-tliird of that of New Plymouth.

Mr Wilkinson said it might be thought from his questions that he was against the loan, but this was not the case. Continuing, he referred to the position in 1908, when they had not attempted to berth a very large ship. It was not thought possible at that time, and they had had a great fight to get loan money to build the breakwater. However, the monev had been raised and spent. Mr Wilkinson said that they had to consider the position m regard to the present loan in a large way. In connection with the. old loan great success had been attained and they must take it that the same benefits would result in the future. He was satisfied that, notwithstanding the fact that a lot of money had been spent, the people of the district had receii ed everything back in a saving in freight. He thought they should trust the Board to spend the money in the best possible way. Mistakes had been made, but the general results had been excellent, and he was convinced that they would continue to be the same.

Mr Hawken, M.P., moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Bellringer for his explanation. He believed that New Plymouth was going to be a great port, and he believed that the money which it was now proposed to raise would bear even better results than the money raised in the past. ■Sir Walter Carncross seconded the motion and on being put by the chairman (Mr G. W. Tayler) it was carried with acclamation.