DEEP WATER HARBOURS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15520, 30 January 1914, Page 6

DEEP WATER HARBOURS.

The Imperial Trade Commission has given ; one warning •to port,authorities which the Auckland Harbour Board will have little difficulty in accepting. The suggestion that the Panama Canal will set a standard depth which air first-class ports must meet has been put forward in engineering quarters for ; some - years. The Commission is evidently convinced .of its soundness and recommends leading colonial ports— among which it. naturally includes Auckland "to. devote earnestattention to the problem . of - deepening their harbours." ' ■As ia matter of fact, Auckland "could ' already offer wharfage' to vessels of this maximum draught; . and they could enter, our port in most : state's of the J tide. What is obviously ; necessary however,-; is;- that, .they"; should be able to enter, at .all states of the" tide so that; they may have ; every ; reasonable .in-/ ducement to • make; Auckland j one .of their custoiiiary ports of call". - ; As> far atf Auckland is concerned, the Commission. is inaccurate in assum-' ing that -the port authorities are not I " properly . alive 'to the quick increase in, draught which is in prospect." ?•-; The Harbour Board 'lias so little to do to meet -these maximum requirements of 1 prospective shipping that it can well afford to wait until the mammoths are being constructed before commencing special preparations • for their.. reception.-. This is its intention, and as long as its, management is in competent hands our citizens need not fear that huge -vessels 'will find Auckland unprepared; A * more serious weakness of Auckland is its ! dry dock * accommodation," and this, will have to be greatly improved in. the : very .hear futurg.