PORT IMPROVEMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8365, 27 February 1913, Page 8

PORT IMPROVEMENT

PROVISION FOR GOODS A NEW STORE NEAR KINO’S WHARF. The chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr R. Fletcher, moved at last night’s meeting of the board: ‘That the board favourably consider the question of the erection of a store on the land lying along the waterfront between the Kang’s wharf and the proposed Pipitea wharf, and the engineer be instructed to prepare sketch plans and furnish an estimate of the cost.” The chairman said the store would take 4000 to 5000 tons of general goods when full, and about 6000 dumps or about 4000 bales loose wool. If the board had had a shed like this last season they would have been able to do very much better than they had done. The cost would be between £14,000 and £16,000. Mr M. Oohen, in seconding the motion, said that with the development of the country that was going on they could look forward to a great extension in the matter of wool and produce. The board must not again place itself in the position, as was the case last season, of the Wellington stationmaster telegraphing to country stations, “Stop railing wool." The interest charges on the new store would only amount to £7OO a year, and no better insurance fund could be provided. Mr P. O. Freeth said the board might well discuss its general policy in regard to constructive works. They had read the chairman’s statement in the press that the board was not going in for a policy that would laud them in shipwreck; still, they had not yet arrived at that stage when any individual member could say with confidence what their policy was likely to be. He put it forward as a suggestion that it might be advisable for the whole board to go into the question of general policy, and proposed future development. Mr C. W. Jones claimed that they were a little behind requirements now in regard to wharves and sheds. The board had been very careful not to incur any unnecessary expenditure, but he had felt for some time that they would have to make a forward move. The chairman explained that the policy of the board had been well defined some years ago, and they were following along those lines, just keeping ahead of requirements. The berthage rate had increased very little although the tonnage had increased considerably, which showed that better dispatch was being given. The board was not prepared to spend a large sum of money before it saw a chance of some return. He was prepared to meet all requirements, but to “hasten slowly.” In any case, the full policy of the board would be discussed in April, when the election took place. The motion was unanimously agreed to.