DOCK FOR WELLINGTON

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10964, 28 July 1921, Page 5

DOCK FOR WELLINGTON

“KEPT STEADILY IN VIEW” INTERESTING DISCUSSION AT HARBOUR BOARD MEETING. LOCAL ADVANTAGES. At last night’s meeting of the Wellington Harbour Board a letter was received from the Central Chamber of Commerce, forwardihg a resolution of the -chamber as to the need for encouraging Pacific trade and promoting a 'dock scheme for Wellington. A floating dock was suggested by the chamber. Mr H. D. Bennett moved that the letter he received, and that the chamber he thanked for its communication. Mr C. M. Turrell moved as an amendment that a reply be sent that the board had previously had a floating dock in view. A member of the board: It has been “kept steadily in view.’’ (Laughter.) Mr 1 Turrell: A site has been provided, and the hoard has been in treaty for a floating dock.

Mr C. Cohen thought it well to encourage suggestions from 1 bodies of this character, representing the oommercial interests of the city and the country, but to merely receive the letter would he to treat it with rather scant. courtesy. He thought that the chamber should he thanked for its suggestion, and assured that the matter had not escaped the attention of the board, which proposed at the earliest date to take it into consideration. He was of the opinion, however, that the board should not at this stage commit itself to a floating dock. Mr G. Mitchell' supported this view. It should, he said, go forth that the board intended, at the earliest opportunity, to instal a dook,

Mr Bennett: It ie well known. Mr Mitchell: It should go forth again. Wellington, he maintained, gave better facilities and more advantages ror those who wished to trade with the Dominion than any other port in New Zealand, ‘ except in respect of docking accommodation, and that should be rectified. The charges from the drip to store were cheaper in Wellington thSn in any other port. In Auckland, for example, the wharfage charges were 2s 6d.- and cartage 6s 6d per ton, while in Wellington the wharfage was 4s and the cartage 4s. The facilities for coaling in Wellington were in advance of those in other centres. He supported Mr Cohen in appreciating the making of suggestions by these outside bodies. Mr J. Leuchars endorsed what the last two speakers had 6aid.

Mr Bennett agreed- to substitute “acknowledged’’ for “received,” and accepted the addition suggested by Mr Cohen, and the resolution wae carried unanimously.