OKARITO HARBOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23201, 22 November 1938, Page 13

OKARITO HARBOUR

SEA OUTLET FOR TIMBER EARLY TRIAL SHIPMENT ELIMINATING OVERLAND HAUL [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] GREYMOUTHi Monday A special visit to Okarito was paid by Captain A. M. Nalder, of the motorship Hokitika, when soundings were taken in the inner harbour and the channel to the new wharf was mapped out at low water. The channel over the bar was also inspected. At present it is running in a south-westerly direction, carrying plenty of water, but once over the bar the channel to the wharf winds. Captain Nalder expressed satisfaction with tho port and said that once the channel works into a good position over the bar no difficulty will be experienced in working there. It is proposed that Captain Nalder should make a trial shipment of timber from Okarito at an early date. Ho will take the motor-ship Hokitika from Hokitika to Okarito and after loading timber will sail from Okarito direct for Wellington. The opening of tho port will mean a considerable saving in timber handling and haulage for mill owners, as although Okarito is only a few miles from Wataroa, the milling centre of South Westland, timber at present is transported by motor lorries a distance of 50 miles to the railhead at Itoss and then taken by train to Greymouth or Hokitika. Huge tracts of valuable milling timber, both white pine and rimu, are at present held by milling companies and the opening of the port will mean that timber prices should be easier to North Island ports.