HARBOUR WORKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25300, 6 September 1945, Page 6

HARBOUR WORKS

WEST COAST PBOBLEMS

ENGINEERS FROM BRITAIN (S.R.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday Eminent harbour engineers from Britain will visit New Zealand to consider the problems of the Westport and Greymonth harbours, according to an announcement today by the Minister of Marine, Mr O'Brien. The Government also has decided to set up an advisory committee at Westport to iron out immediate difficulties and to examine long-range plan, for the permanent improvement of the harbour. These steps will be of particular interest to Aucklanders, for as a result of delays at both these harbours to colliers "carding vital supplies of coal to replenish Auckland's small reserve stocks the city has often been in a parlous plight this year for supplies of coal and gas. Report on Other Proposals "The problems of the Westport and Greymouth harbours are so vital that the Government has decided to arrange through the High Commissioner in London for the services of eminent harbour engineers to be made available from the United Kingdom," said the Minister. "Their knowledge of bar harbours elsewhere in the world, combined with the reports of our own engineers, should enable the submission of a scheme to carry out works at both harbours which will ensure their availability to shipping under all conditions. 1 will also arrange for the overseas engineers to report on the proposals affecting Port Elizabeth and Charleston and to have a look at the proposition for reopening Karamea harbour. Westport Advisory Committee "The difficulties experienced at the Westport harbour during the last 20 years, and particularly in thejast three years, make it imperative that we should have a local committee on the spot to" advise on such mutters," continued the Minister. "The Government has now appointed an advisory committee at Westport com posed of representatives of the local bodies, the harbour authority, the shipping and mining companies and the workers concerned in production and harbour maintenance." The committee will meet as often as necessary and will report to the Minister through the Secretary of the Marine Department. It will make recommendations in regard to any immediate measures for the return to normal harbour conditions at Westport and discuss long-range planning. The Minister added that most of the men appointed had had lifelong experience with the problems of Westport and the peculiar phenomena of the coastal drift. RETIREMENT PENDING THE AUDITOR-GENERAL (S.R.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday The imminent retirement of Mr C. G. Collins, Controller and Auditor-General for some years, is mentioned in his annual report, which was tabled in the House of Representatives today. Mr Collins states that this will be the last report he will submit to Parliament. AWARDS PRESENTED INVESTITURE CEREMONY (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday By command of His Majesty the King, the Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, held a ceremony of investiture in the Town Hall. Wellington, tonight. Awards and decorations were presented to 58 members of the three services. The citations provided a crosssection of New Zealand military history in the present war and a reminder of the courage, initiative and skill of the men who added lustre to her arms. There was one decoration for an Air Force officer who made a gallant escape _ from Hongkong and received what is for this arm of the forces a rare decoration, the Military Cross.

PRESUMED KILLED AIRMAN FROM HAMILTON (0.C.) _ HAMILTON, Wednesday Advice has been received by Mr and Mrs M. R. Farrer, of Te Kuiti. that their son, Lieutenant (A) M.C. Farrer. D.5.C.,, has been reported missing and is presumed killed as the result of an aircraft accident. Lieutenant Farrer was born in Hamilton 23 years ago and was educated at the Wanganui Collegiate School. He enlisted in 1940 and 6erved as a bomber pilot. LABOUR CONFERENCE DELEGATE REACHES LONDON (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) LONDON. Sept. 4 Mr Peter M. Butler, of Wellington, one of the members of the New Zealand workers' delegation to attend the International Labour Conference in Paris, has arrived in London by air. Mr Butler is at present, attending the conference of the International Federation of Trade Unions. I ' OBITUARY MR W. THOMPSON (O-C.) CAMBRIDGE, Wednesday The death has occurred of Mr William Thompson, of Cambridge, at the age of 84 years. Mr Thompson was born in England and came to New Zealand in 1863 with his parents, who settled in Canterbury and later in Opotiki. Thirtyeight years ago he took up property at Bruntwood, Cambridge, which he had farmed ever since. Mr Thompson was a member of the Presbyterian Church and for the past 60 years was an officebearer. He was at one time chairman of directors of the Bruntwood Co-opera-tive Dairy Co., Ltd., of which he was one of the founders. He took a keen interest in all sports. He is survived by two sons and two daughters. There are four grandchildren. MRS F. J. B. RYBURN (0.C.) HAMILTON. Wednesday The death has occurred at her home at Paterangi of Mrs Bertha Rybura, wife of Mr F. J. B. Rvburii. She was born at Tinwald, Canterbury, 63 years ago. Since her marriage 35 years ago she had lived continuously at Paterangi. Mrs Ryburn was engaged in community and welfare work for over 25 years and was a staunch adherent of the Church of England. She was president of the Ohaupo sub-branch of the Plunket Society for over 20 years, secretary of the Waipa sub-committee of the New Zealand Crippled Children Society, representative on the Hamilton and.Te Awamutu Women's Services Association, and of women's organisations on the Te Awamutu Rehabilitation Committee. A prominent worker in the Women's Division of the Farmers' Union, she was a branch president, provincial president, and Dominion vice-president, besides being a member of the Dominion Advisory Board. Her social work was recognised when she was awarded the Coronation Medal. She is survived by her husband, four daughters, and one son. PERSONAL ITEMS Mr T. G. Taylor, of Wellington, has been appointed to the National Rehabilitation Council in succession to Mr R. W. Fenton, who lias resigned. Mr ,T. Miller, accountant at the Pukekohe branch of the Union Bank for the past seven years, has been appointed manager of the Helensville branch of the bank.