NEW ERA

Northern Advocate, 27 February 1924, Page 5

NEW ERA

IN NORTH AUCKLAND. LINER BERTHED AT OPUA. % - EARNEST OF DEVELOPMENT. (Special to "Northern Advocate.") . " KAWAKAWA, This Day. The steamer Devon, of 9661 -tons, was berthed at Opua wharf at 11.15 a.m. yesterday, this notable event being made the occasion of a most inspiring function in the form of a luncheon at the Bay of Islands Harbour Board's office at 1 p.m. Mr A. J3. Bisset, chairman of the Board, presided. Among those present were Captain Bone, Marine Superintendent for the New ZealUnd Shipping Company, Wellington; Mr J. E. MeGill, chairman of directors of the Auckland Farmers' Company; Mr T. Simson, General Manager, and Mr J. Snell, Auckland manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company; Captain E. Stott, pilot to the Bay of Islands Harbour Board; Captain Gardiner, of the Devon; members of the Harbour Board; Mr A.. Stubbs, of Whangarei, railway traffic manager; Mr C. H. Puttick, chairman of the feawakawa Town Board Messrs W. J. Worthington (clerk of works), A. E. Neumann (harbourmaster), H.. C. Blunder, A. H. Morgan, Enoch Doel {president of the Chamber of Commerce), B. Bridge, B. McFarl|ne, M. J. Hargreaves, C. F. C. Miller, G. Li. Leaity, and T. J. V. Dunlop. In proposing the toast of the New Zealand Shipping Company, Mr Bisset ; «aid it was a great day in the history of the Bay of Islands when a homegoing boat of 9661 gross tonnage was berthed at Opua. Visualising the future, he saw Opua as the most important port north of Auckland. It was bound to become this owing to its geographical position and its splendid ; harbour. The fact that a vessel of j that size had berthed proved that the "harbour was right for deep sea vessels, j He was satisfied in the future Opua I Would become a port of entry, which | meant £2 a ton on every ingoing and ■outgoing ton of produce saved to the '•community. There was no reason, why "they could not get produce direct, from Hoihe and ship direct. Replying to what he said was -courteous criticism in the "Northern Advocate" of his remarks at the re- ■ cent opening of the Mangakahia bridges, Mr Bisset said there was nothing parochial about his attitude, but his first thoughts were for the Bay of Islands. The berthing of the Devon he regarded as the beginning of a new .era for the North Auckland district. He welcomed the captain, and his *remarks were endorsed with acclamation. Captain Bone and also Captain Gardiner responded. The latter said the Bay of islands was the most beautiful harbour he had ever seen in his •25 years'" experience. Mr MeGill congratulated the Harbour Board and the chairman on the development of the harbour, which was •very important. The more he saw of North Auckland the more he was impressed with the great possibilities of the district." The output of the freezing works wa9 comparatively small, now, but, looking ahead, the demand •of a developed district would show immense strides. North Auckland had ;uot been farmed as well as Canterbury and the southern districts of the North Island, but they looked forward to rapidly increasing prosperity in future with the better outlets pro- i vided. j