NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1928. CRANES AT ONERAHI

Northern Advocate, 6 February 1928, Page 4

NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1928. CRANES AT ONERAHI

Registered for transmission through the post as a newspaper.

Every businessman knows that If ho wants to secure business he must go after it. Some individuals are so happily situated that business comes to them of its own volition, but they arc the exceptions which prove the rule. The great majority of successful business people arc they w T ho have spared neither trouble nor expense to give the utmost service Avithin their poAver. They have had confidence in themselves and that which they had to offer for sale. The consequence is that they attracted custom, and, by giving satisfactory service, have held their patrons. What applies to individuals applies with equal force to communities: it is only those communities Avho haAAe confidence in themselves and go out after business who grow and succeed. They realise that if they do not make the most of the advantages which have been bestoAved upon them, other communities, perhaps loss fortunately situated, but possessing energy and foresight, will attract the business that is prepared to go to the highest bidder. They knoAv very Avell that procrastination and indecision may mean the deflection of trade which should legitimately be theirs. Cogitation of these facts might be indulged Avith advantage by the people of Wlia-i ngaroi. It is unquestioned that the district is richly endowed. Climate and soil combine to promote the dairying and kindred industries, the breeding of sheep and cattle and the groAVing of fruit. These, in themselves, arc sources of Avcalth the magnitude _ of which is only now being fully realised. These industries call for active Avork on the part of individuals, on whoso skill and energy depend to a extent the growth of outputs. There is, hOAvever, still another great asset upon which Whangarei may rely. It is not visible, but, like many another ffesirable thing, it lies hidden until brought to view by the labour and perseverance of man. Wo refer to the coalfields, Avhich those in a position to speak Avith authority say are very extensive. The value of the fields lias been appreciated for many years, and it was with the object of developing, among other things, a coal trade that the Harbour Board formulated the policy it is now pursuing. Developments during recent years have given grounds for the belief that Whangarei should become a bunkering port of much importance. As is wellknown, phosphate rock is now brought .to Now Zealand in large quantities from Nauru Island and Ocean Island. Big steamers make regular trips to and from the islands. At the present time they are obliged to go from Auckland to Westport to secure bunker coal, I which amounts to about 1000 tons per trip. The journey to Westport entails about 1200 miles of steaming Avhich Avould be unnecessary if coal were obtainable at Whangarei. Coal, we know, exists in large quantities in this Vlistrict. Engineers have declared it to be suitable for use by the phosphate carrying ships, the OAvncrs of Avhich have suggested thoir Avillingness to make Whangarei the fleet's bunkering port if loading facilities are pro\dded. These facilities are not existent at the moment. The Harbour Board is carrying out a scheme Avhereby it hopes to provide at Kioreroa berthing accommodation and loading facilities which will make possible the bunkering of the phosphate ships as Avell as doA 7 cloping Whangarei as an overseas port. The Harbour Board planned to make a channel AA T ith 10 feet of AA T ater at low tide and has let a contract with that object in vieAV. It now appears that a depth of 15 feet of Avater is req\iired by the phosphate ships. This has upset the board’s calculations, and it will in consequence be necessary to enter upon another dredging contract in order to secure the necessary depth of 15 feet of water if the Kioreroa scheme is to be successful. This will mean delay. Probably at least three years Avill elapse before the Kioreroa harbour is an accomplished fact. This is a serious matter. The bunkering of the phosphate ships should do developed Avith the least possible delay. If Whangarei does not go out after this trade it may bo lost beyond recall. It therefore seems to us that the Harbour Board should alter the order of its programme by securing loading gear before completing the Kioreroa harbour. , The phosphate ships could berth at Onerahi wharf at the present time, but they will not do so because loading facilities are inadequate. Up-to-date cranes are absolutely essential for the rapid bunkering of ships. The Harbour Board must provide them at Kioreroa. It would surely be aviso to secure such plant at once and instal it on Onerahi Avharf ponding the construction of a harbour at Kioreroa. This would alloAv bunkering of phosphate ships to commence at an early date, and so lay the foundation of the overseas trade which it is confidently anticipated Avi 11 be built up by Whangarei.