WAIUKU CANAL PROJECT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19717, 17 August 1927, Page 13

WAIUKU CANAL PROJECT.

HARBOUR BOARD ATTITUDE.

ACQUIRING INFORMATION.

COMPREHENSIVE INQUIRY.

ECONOMIC ASPECT OF SCHEME.

With a view (o considering whether the construction of a canal between the Manukau Harbour and the Waikato River at Waiuku is a justifiable and practicable proposition, the Auckland Harbour Board yesterday, approved the gathering of information on the subject on lines suggested by Mr. 51. H. Wynyard, chairman of the Manukau Harbour Committee of the board.

Reporting on the question, Mr. Wynyard recalled that the commission -which examined the proposal in 1921 specially referred to the fact that the data brought before it was on the whole incomplete and unsatisfactory, and consisted mainly of general statements as to the advantages to be gained, with few statistics to prove the scheme would be commercially successful. The question also arose as to the cost of improving the Waikato River to make it available for traffic during the low summer levels.-' This difficulty might be said to have ceased to exist, as a company had recently built a steamer which was able to work the river throughout the year. The bogey of heavy expense on the river, as a corollary to the utlility of the canal, had, therefore, in a large measure disappeared.

In view of the circumstances and the fact that a considerable trade was developing on the'Waikato River with Southern ports, as well as' the Manukau, Mr. Wynyard considered the time had arrived for a further investigation of the position. Nature of Investigation. It was recpmmended that information' on the following points should now be obtained:—(l) The beam and depth of craft which would be suitable for the trade; '(2) the size of the canal; (3) the most economical design of the canal and its accessories; (4) the approximate cost of the canal and the time required to complete it; (5) the standing charges, interest and sinking fund, maintenance and working costs; (6) the extent of the navigable waterways comprised in the Waikato River and its tributaries, and 'positions of landings; (7) the area likely to be served by such navigable waterways more advantageously than by road or rail, equally as well as by road or rail, and disadvantageously as compared with road or rail; (8) the centres to which such waterways give access, their nature, principal industries and population.

(9) Localities on or in close proximity to the waterways likely to be attractive for excursions from the city through the canal; (10) the possibility of the route being attractive for tourists and travellers if worked as part of a round trip in connection with rail or road passenger transport; {11) the reasonable freight and passenger charges on various classes of goods between Auckland and various centres on the waterways exclusive of canal dues; (12) the dues for the use [ of the canal which can reasonably be charged on vessels, cargo and passengers; (13) the class of trade inward and outward; (14) the probable extent of trade immediately and within five years, and the approximate rate of increase thereafter;* (15)> what rate, if any, would be required and what areas should be included in the rating area; (16) by whom the capital funds should be found and the work undertaken and ways and means of finding the funds. Advice on Economic Questions. "So far as regards some of the matters to be covered, the question of economics enters extensively into consideration of the scheme," added Mr. Wynyard, who suggested the university authorities should be asked to allow a representative of the chair of economics of the Auckland University College to assist ihe committee so far as such matters were concerned. Mr. Wynyard also suggested the sources from which the other information required might-be obtained, f; Mr. T. Bloodworth said there would be. no justification for building the canal unless the scheme would increase the productivity of the country. There was no advantage, to the country as a whole in merely. diverting trade from one point to another. He was particularly interested in the suggestion that the aid of the chair of economics should be enlisted, and he suggested that an opinion should be obtained from that source on the, points as to whether the canal would increase production, whether the scheme would result in a reduction in the cost of production and whether the canal would open land for settlement at a lower cost than would be possible by rail or other transport. He did not desire to throw cold water on the scheme, but neither did he desire that fundamental considerations should be overlooked.

Holding Waikato Trade. Mr. G. Parr said that Auckland merchants were not alive to the necessity for developing the water trade of the West Coast; otner' centres were. He instanced the case of New Plymouth. He thought that Auckland merchants should pay something toward the cost of the canaL Trade from the Waikato was gradually moving south and the trade with the Manukau could not be held without the construction of a canal to avoid the difficulties involved in working two bars. The canal, on the other hand, would give a calm-water passage between Onehunga and any Waikato town on the river.

An assurance that Auckland merchants were able to protect their trade was given by Mr. C. G. Macindoe, who said that trade was being exploited by way of the Mamikau with other parts "of the Dominon with which practically no business had been done previously. r lhe counties of Waipa. Waikat© and Raglan were opposed to the canal schema bv a majority of about 30 to one, said Mr. Campbell Johnstone, who added that the feeling in those districts was thafc the scheme was premature, especially as those areas were already well served by road transport. "We cannot tell until we have ma'ds an investigation whether the time is ophe had no .objection to incorporating Mr. nortune," said Mr. Wynvard, who added Bloodworth's suggestions in the report. The report was approved.