NAMING THE PORT

Northern Advocate, 21 July 1933, Page 4

NAMING THE PORT

CHANGE DESIRED. f ASSOCIATION WITH TOWN.' = DECISION HELD OVER. The Whangarei Harbour Board today considered the advisability of changing the name of the new port at Kioreroa, Mr .1. E, Holmes considered that something should be done before further developments in trading took place. The “Northern Advocate,” in a recent issue, had stated that the present name was not satisfactory, ..and. ..the same opinion had' been expressed by board members. “Port Whangarei” had been suggested, but Mr Holmes did not bold with complicated names. There were no ancient or valuable associations with the word “Kioreroa,” which, previous to 10L°. had been known as Opan. The Railway Department had altered the title to avoid confusion with Opua. Kioreroa meant nothing to the outsider. The wharf was only a little over a mile from the railway station, a distance which would be nothing when connection was by way of a public street. . V ■

If the name “Whangarei” were accepted it would emphasise the board’s policy that the port was for town and district. Town traffic to the town wharf would always operate, but it was unthinkable that heavy loads for Hikurangi and the country would continue to be consigned there. He did up if; think that the Transport Board would continue to allow this unnecessary cartage when goods could be loaded at Kioreroa and placed oh the train. The .chairman, Mr .1. A. Finlayson, pointed out,that the names “Port Whangarci” or “Whangarei” would really include the whole of the harbour, in which there were half a dozen wharves.. Captain Wntchlin had signified' his intention of being in Whangarei in four or five weeks time, and it was proposed then to have an official opening cere: mony, when the wharf would be “baptised. ’ ’

As a principle, Mr P. Gardner announced himself adverse to the altera-

tion of Maori names, but the word “Kioreroa” evidently did not come under that category. , ■ “So far as the public are concerned, they will be glad to hear the end of 1 ‘ Kioreroa,’.’ said ; Mr E. L. Whimp. “It is a difficult word td pronouhce and spell.” . The engineer was of opinion that-the names “Port Whangarei” or “Whangarei” might he confusing. Nautical people liked easily distinguishable names, .. Mr H. E. Hewlett said there was a need to identify' the wharf with the town of Whangarei. Mr Holmes pointed out that other wharves further away from the central business location were named after towns and cities. The distance from the borough boundary to the. wharf was less than three-quarters of a mile, and if the place developed, as it should, the area would all be included in the borough within ten years. On the suggestion of Mr Whimp, it was decided to hold over the naming of the port until next meeting, when all suggestions will be considered.