Whangarei Or Opua As Northland’s Port?

Northern Advocate, 24 August 1945, Page 6

Whangarei Or Opua As Northland’s Port?

Criticism of a statement made through the Press by Mr K. M. Stevens,, another member of the board, to the effect that Opua was more eligible than Whangarei to be the deep-water port of Northland, was made by Mr R. H. Allan at a meeting of the Whangarei Harbour Board yesterday.

Discussion arose when consideration was • being given to the recent conference in the Bay of Islands to discuss the merits of Opua as a deepsea port. Mr R. H. Allan first introduced the question when he urged the board to discuss the matter.

The thought that it was the Bay of Islands own concern, and that Whangarei should not interfere.at present was expressed by the chairman (Mr E. L. Whimp).

“Personally, I think Mr Stevens should be a member of the Bay of Islands Harbour Board and not the Whangarei board,” said Mr Allan, who moved that a conference of all local bodies and interested organisations be called to discuss whether Whangarei was suitable as a deepwater port. Mr Allan said he did not blame the Bay board for taking steps. It was what the Whangarei board should have done. Mr Stevens had said through the Press that Opua was the best 'port yet he did not know anything about the question, Mr Allan alleged.

Mr Whimp did not think the discussion occurring in the Bay of Islands would have any effect on the establishment of the port, as the decision would lie rather in the hands of an independent tribunal. Bay members were supporting the establishment of a port at Opua and, if Whangarei board members were loyal they would press for the port at Whangarei. Mr Whimp then moved that the engineer (Mr W. M. Fraser) be instructed to write to the Bay of Islands Harbour Board for information whether the board was still cooperating with the Whangarei board. If the reply was in the negative, said Mr Whimp, then the Whangarei board could continue along the lines suggested by Mr Allan. The motion was seconded by Mr Allan. Not one seafaring captain, to whom he had referred the question had considered Whangarei’s advantages as a deep-sea port more favourable than those possessed by Opua, said Mr Stevens.

When members entered into newspaper controversies they should be careful to state they were giving their own opinions, not those of the board, Mr Whimp said.