GISBORNE HARBOUR WORKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19677, 1 July 1927, Page 13

GISBORNE HARBOUR WORKS

REVISION OF THE SCHEME. CERTAIN SECTIONS POSTPONED. [By TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. 1 GISBOENE, Thursday. The broad result of the Gisborne Harbour Board's discussion on the report submitted by Mr F. W t Furkert, en-gineer-in-chief of the Public Works Department, recommending that the board concentrate on securing a harbour by postponing the outer work originally proposed, is that the Kaiti basin will bo dredged out, the breakwater extendedthe swinging basin at tho foot of the existing groyne* excavated, and minor works within the line of the foreshore completed. All other sections of the original scheme are postponed for later consideration. The Whareongaonga project will not be persevered with, although stone will bo secured by contract if possible to make a trial of its quality.

In connection with the breakwater extension the debate was the longest participated in by the board since the days when the Harbour Commission's feport was under discussion. The members assembled at 10 o'clock in the morning and, with an hour's adjournment for lunch, sat until five in the afternoon, dealing with a formidable agenda and applying themselves with seriousness to the solution of the many problems with which the board is immediately faced. Tho recommendations of Mr. Furkert were eventually accepted practically as they stood, although it was decided, on a division, not to prosecute the building of the western division wall beyond the present stage in the meantime.

A keen argument developed on the propriety of taking money from the loan fund to dredge the Kaiti basin without giving a pledge to return the money from funds to be raised later, but when a vote was taken only a small minority of the members supported the pledge.