NOT FULLY USED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 24024, 23 July 1941, Page 10

NOT FULLY USED

NAPIEK'S NEW HARBOUR ROADSTEAD PREFERRED CONCERN OF THE BOARD (0.C.) NAPIER, Tuesday "After hearing the chairman's remarks, I am left with the impression that there is some sinister move afoot which lias a damning effect on the harbour, ttSie British Government, and the producers of Hawke's Bay," said .Mr. F. B. Logan, in seconding a resolution at a meeting of the Napier Harbour Board for the establishment of a special committee to investigate certain aspects of the board's affairs. "Apparently if this move continues much longer there will be serious repercussions, not only in this district, but. throughout New Zealand," said Mr. Logan. Suggestions wero made that the British Government and the producers of Hawke's Bay were being mulcted by unnecessary additional charges through the now harbour facilities at Napier not being fully availed of by overseas shipping. It was stated under favourable weather conditions 28ft. over all the harbour would be availablo at the end of next month ; and that the dredging programme giving iiOft. over all the harbour would bo completed in eight months.

Tho development of the breakwater harbour at Napier had reached such an immense scale that tho Finance Committee) felt that a special committee should bo formed to bring into use facilities which tho district had provided, said tho chairman, Mr. T. M. Geddis. No. 3 ferro-concrete wharf, completed last December, was in use by a largo number of vessels, and tho completion of the new No. 4 wharf was close at hand. A new cargo shed, providing all modern cargo handling facilities, was now under construction and would soon lie available.

The secretary's report showed that of 60,000 bales of wool exported 40,000 wero loaded in tho roadstead, the remaining 20.000 bales beijug handled at the wharf. The last three ships to load in the roadstead had cost £10.125 more than if they had loaded at the breakwater. Of this amount. £2221 had been paid by tho British Government, and the balance, of £7904, by the producers of the district.