THE THAMES HARBOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10320, 21 December 1896, Page 3

THE THAMES HARBOUR.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— a paragraph in your issue ot the 17th instant under the heading of "The Wakatere," the Northern S.S. Company's new steamer, the Thames harbour authorities are blamed in that the traffic was not kept clear enough to permit the steamer to berth at the wharf at the Thames. This statement I most emphatically deny, here was plenty of room, and all other steamers coming to the Thames would have been satisfied. Impossibilities, such as shifting vessels out of the way which have been aground for four days and never floated on account of neap tides, cannot be avoided, but there was amnio room for a steamer in come clear of the only vessel which was near the wharf, if those in charge had thought fit to do so ; but the fact was there was too much wind, and a high-sided steamer such as the Wakctere there was a risk of her falling to leeward when her way was stopped and therefore it was not considered wise to come alongside. The same thing happened to-day. The berth was clear, vessels out of the way, and still the steamer did not come alongside. 1 presume the same reason applied—too much wind. This will 'happen frequently at the Thames, as the prevailing wind is north-west, strong breezes, nearly broadside on, aud it is a difficulty that mortal man cannot overcome, lot alone such a humble individual as the unfortunate harbourmaster, who had to stand an unnecessary amount of barracking from the disappointed people of the Wakatere. If the harbourmaster has not done his duty, why do they not lay a charge against him to the Board ? But there were several members of the local Board on the wharf who can vouch that all was done that was possible. We have difficulties enough to contend with in trying to do justice to all. so that it is unmanly and unfair to place the blame on the wrong shoulders. In conclusion, I may state that the steamer will oe lucky if she never has worse difficulties to contend with than she had on her first trip to the Thames', as the berthing accommodation is very limited aud the trade rapidly increasing. To show that no injustice has been done the Company, I may mention that there are now three vessels lying off awaiting their chance to get in, and one of those has been here since .Sunday last, the l.'lth instant. In justice to myself, I cannot allow such a statement to go broadcast in such a widelyread paper as your valuable HkraLD, without stating what is the truth as far as I know it.— l am, etc., T. C. Bayluon', Harbourmaster, Thames.