DEPTH OF THE HARBOUR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16191, 29 September 1914, Page 2

DEPTH OF THE HARBOUR

BERTHAGE AT PORT CHALMERS. DISCUSSED BY BOROUGH COUNCIL. The depth of Otago Harbour is a frequent subject of discussion. While the question has not been very prominently before the public ior eome little time —a fact winch can doubtless be ascribed to the continuous dredging operations that are being carried) out m the channel—it is evidently now r&emerging as a eujjject for active controversy. The matter was discussed at the meeting of the Port Chalmers Borough Council last evening. Cr Stevenson, who introduced the matter, stated that the improvement of the lower harbour was a question that vitallv affected the interests of Port Chalmers. Some letters had appeared in the press that did not reflect altogether creditably on the board so far as the lower .reaches of the harbour were concerned, and he thought the oouncil should reoognise that it was deeply interested in securing a satisfactory channel and berthage at Port Chalmers. They shoSld give all the support in their power to the local representatives on the board, and urge them to see that some of the board's wealth was spent on the lower harbour. It was a humiliating thing for Port Chalmers that such letters should be published. Glowing accounts had been circulated of the money the board was proposing to spend during the coming year, and he was stronglv of opinion that. Port Chalmers should get more than £500. "their harbour was, he contended, further back now in relation to modern shipping than it was 30 yea re ago, and it was high time the council took some action and asked the board to maintain a depth of 30ft from the Heads to. the wharf at low water. If a deep-water channel and berthage were not available at Port Chalmers .he was satisfied the shipping companies would remove their trade to another port. Ho would move—" That this council notes with interest that the Harbour Board had its dredge in the vicinity of Port Chalmers, and trusts that it will not be taken away from this part of the harbour until there is a deep-water berth right up to the wharf." Cr Anderson seconded the motion, andi spoke stronglv in support of the proposal. The lower harbour • had boon very much neglectcd, and it was becoming a matter of ever-increasing importance that it should receive some attention. Many things occurred in the harbour that tjie public'was not made aware of, and only recently several vessels, including the barque Combermere, had grounded in the channel. It had also been stated by one member of the board that tho Hawke's Bay was drawing over 2Bft while going out with the troops, but he knew that she was not drawing much more than 27ft. Cr Morgan said that doubtless every member of tho board was fully alive to the state of affairs, and was prepared to do his best, to remedy matters. A deep-water channel from the Heads to tho wharf was an urgent and ever-increasing necessity. The Mayor said that Cr Stevenson's motion was on the right lines. He believed tha board was determined to ' give them a 30ft channel and berthage. Cr Stevenson: We have heard that for years. Continuing, the Mayor stated that _ the members of the board were ful 1 - cognisant, of the sM.e of affairs, and quite understood tho significance of what had hannnned in connection with the troopships. The loeal members would do all in thfir power to influence the board in the direction of the council's wishes. The motion was carried unanimously.