CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND MR. BLAIR MASON.

Northland Age, Volume 23, Issue 35, 17 December 1923, Page 6

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND MR. BLAIR MASON.

BEFORE COUNTY COUNCIL. At the Council Meeting on December 7th a deputation from the Chamber of Commerce, accompanied by Mr. Blair Mason, waited on the Council in connection with the Harbour Question. Mr. Grigg said the primary business of the deputation was to request the Council to make application to the Government to have the Mangrove mudflats in Rangaunu Bay vested in the Council as endowments for a harbour. If these were vested they would be a valuable property, and would possibly in the future pay for Harbour construction. They must look to the future of the district, which undoubtedly would warrant a deeper water port than they had now. Mr. Grigg then introduced

Mr. Blair Masco, who detailed what he had done whilst on his trip down the Harbour. The soundings taken in the Awanui River indicated shallow water at the mouth of the river, whilst the soundings in the Mangatete Channel, up to a point where he thought there was a good, site for a harbour, were quite satisfactory. It was very essential that the Mangrove swamps shouid be vested in the Harbour authority. Four to five thousand acres at Whangarei had been so vested, and reclamation was now going on there. This, said Mr. Blair Mason, was a growing district, with fertile flats, which at present were in anything but a high state of cultivation. Better port facilities than they had at present were necessary. It would be the height of folly to dredge the Awanui River. Immense expenditure would be necessary. They had deep water in the Mangatete Channel, alongside and which would be easily reclaimed. Possibly there were three or four schemes. At any rate he was quite satisfied there would be no difficulty in getting much better facilities than they now had. Mr. Michie said there was no partisan feeling in this matter. His own pet scheme had been floored. The better port would force itself on them. It was an important thing to get these Mangrove Hats, if they did not move private individuals might find it to their benefit to acquire these large areas of potentially valuable land. Similar areas were being developed in other places. These lands would eventually give resources to develop the port.

Mr. Vernon Reed, who was asked by Mr. Grigg to speak, said they were fortunate in having such a man as Mr. Blair Mason to make a report. They should write to the Under-Secretary of Marine asking that these Mangrove areas should not be alienated. Then the Council should apply for the vesting of Rangaunu Harbour in the County Council. Mr. Allen Bell, M. P., said there were

2,500 acres of these flats, and steps had been taken some years ago to prevent alienation. He would be only too glad to help to carry out anything decided on. They would be justified in getting these swamps vested, and in getting the Government to carry out a reclamation scheme. They wanted some scheme of development and he would give any such scheme his strongest support.

Mr. L. H. Bell said there was nothing left for him to say. He strongly endorsed the remarks of previous speakers as to the necessity for a better port, and for the reservation of the Mangrove areas. Mr. Long said the Council was pleased to hear the opinions expressed. He had been travelling through these swamps for 17 or 18 years, and knew their importance. The Council saw eye to eye with the deputation, and would back it up. 1 here would be no delay in taking action to acquire this large area of valuable land. Mr. Allen Beil said the Bay of Islands was now asking for Government assistance. This was a case of a Harbour Board without endowments.

Mr. Grigg: My hope is that the Council will get to work right awav.