FUTURE OF THE PORT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15504, 10 January 1914, Page 8

FUTURE OF THE PORT.

THE QUESTION OF DEPTH.

FACILITIES UP TO DATE.

"NO NECESSITY FOR CONCERN."

The opinion expressed by Lord Pirie in his memorandum on the work of the Empire Trade Commission that an Empire port should have a minimum depth of 45ft of water was referred to by the chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr. J. H. Gunson) yesterday.

"There is no doubt," said Mr. Gunson, "that the capacity of porta in various parts of the Empire is a subject that wiil have to be thoroughly gone into in the very near future. In this respect Auckland is in a fortunate position. We have to-day ample water to accommodate any of the vessels trading to the Southern Hemisphere, and we are in a position to provide greater depths as the necessity arises. We have very fine anchorages with from 40ft to 50ft of water over an extensive area of the harbour bed. At the Queen's Wharf we have shipping facilities second to none in Australasia, with a depth at the present time of 40ft of water at dead low water spring tides."

The question of the deepening of the Rangitoto Channel was also referred to by Mr. Gunson. "The channel," he said, " at present provides a depth of 32ft of water at the lowest tidee, but the matter of increasing this depth is one that may have to be considered before very long. It must be borne in mind, of course, that the present depth allows of vessels drawing from 40ft to 45ft of water to enter the harbour at favourable stagea of the tide, but should the trade of the future and naval necessities require a great depth the board may have to consider the question of increasing the depth of the channel at lowest tides to 45ft or %ft. The work would involve a great deal of expense, but it is not beyond the region of practicability. The distance from the deep water, of the harbour to the deep water outside is not very great."

Mr. Gunson said that there was no necessity at present for any concern regarding this matter. He added: "I have no doubt that whatever the administration of the future may be, it will provide for the carrying'' out of this work should the necessity arise. It was very noticeable when the Empire Trade Commission took _ evidence in Auckland that great emphasis was placed on the increased draught of vessels and the necessity for those responsible for port administration to look well ahead."