GREY RIVER BAR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 7 January 1944, Page 4

GREY RIVER BAR

CONTINUING DIMINUTION IN DEPTH COAL TO BE RAILED TO WESTPORT Greymouth, Jan. 6. The first definite forward step in the endeavours to mitigate the position arising out of the continuing diminution of the depth of the Grey bar will be taken early next week when the Minister of Marine. Mr O’Brien, who is also the member for the district, will pay a special visit. He will be accompanied by the chief engineer and the South Island inspector of the Marine Department. Making this announcement to-day, Mr J. B. Kent, chairman of the Greymouth Harbour Board, said that discussions would take place with the full board in an endeavour to reach a solution of the difficulties. He hinted that steps would be taken to ararnge for the diversion of small coastal vessels elsewhere, presumably Westport, pending improvement in the bar. It is gathered from other sources that when coal comes forward from the mines, it will be railed to Westport for shipment in the meantime. This morning, the depth had deteriorated to 14ft 10in in spite of previous , hopes that the neap tides had reached their trough It is known that only one Union Company ship c< uld enter the port at such a depth, bu even jn that case, the safety margin would not pe sufficient, for the least swell is two to three ieet. which would cause the vessel to bump. Such a vessel could, in any case, take only a small proportion ol the normal load. The small stop Rata is due to-morrow evening to load for Nelson and Tarakohe. but she usurifv takes only a ton*. 800 tons. No sailing schedules have yet been announced for Union Company vessels, and it is patem that none will be tor some time unless an unexpected fresh develoos in the river.—P.A. *