Whangarei Watersiders Set Example To Dominion

Northern Advocate, 13 March 1948, Page 6

Whangarei Watersiders Set Example To Dominion

MEN working the fertiliser cargo of the Cape York at Whangarei have set an example to the watersiders of New Zealand. ‘ . This view was stated last night during a reception given by importing firms’ representatives to the ship’s company and all who had been associated in the discharge of the cargo. Although the atmosphere was convivial, plain speaking by several of those present gave a tang to the entertainment.

The engineer of the North Auckland Power Board (Mr T. R. Overton) said all the district felt proud that a ship of 7000 tons had visited Whangarei, in the development of which the Whangarei Harbour Board had played a big part. Especially should the work of the harbour board engineer (Mr W. M. Fraser) be recognised. Mr Fraser’s first thought always was what good he could do for the people of Northland.

“Northland is not producing half of what it is capable if given a plentiful supply of fertiliser,” he added. Mr Fraser stated that if the people of the district supported the harbour board in its efforts to develop the port many vessels similar to the Cape York would visit Whangarei. In making a presentation of a photograph of the harbour to the ship’s company, the chairman of the board (Mr E. L. Whimp) told Chief Officer Cormack, who received it for Captain Hunter, who was unable to be present, that the people were grateful to Captain Hunter for bringing his ship to Whangarei. “The visit of the Cape York has confounded the critics of the Whangarei Harbour as a port,” he stated. Congratulating the merchants handling the fertiliser, the chairman of the Northland Dairy Conference (Mr E. G. Appleton) said the distribution had been so good that he had received 10 tons he had not ordered. The Cape York had been eight days loading the fertiliser and six weeks unloading. “That is a slur on the people of New Zealand,” Mr Appleton contended. “The merchants have proved equal to handling the job of supplying fertiliser, but the other hurdle in quick discharge at the wharves is becoming more difficult.” He understood that two other ships had been chartered to carry fertiliser to New Zealand but, owing to the unloading expenses, they had bben cancelled.

“The acid test of Mr Fraser’s work has been the passage of the Cape York to Kioreroa Wharf,” Mr Overton continued. “Mr Fraser has prepared many plans for the future and if they are put into effect greater development of th eport will be seen.” The visit of the ship, with an allimportant cargo, was of great value to Northland production and he hoped the Cape York would be the forerunner of many more ships. Mr H. E. Hewlett, a member of the harbour board, said that members and officials of the board had always had great faith in the future of Northland and had always felt that the Whangrei Harbour would play a great Dart in the development of the peninsula.

Northland was closely associated in history with Britain, from the time when Northland kauri was taken to fit warships with spars until the present time when Britain was looking to New Zealand for primary products.