NAPIER’S NEW HARBOUR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18157, 31 January 1921, Page 8

NAPIER’S NEW HARBOUR

FIRST PILE DRIVEN

(Per United Press Association.) NAPIER, January 23.

The first pile cf the inner harbour designed by Mr George Nelson, M.1.M.E., was driven this afternoon by Mr W. J. M'Grath, president of the Inner Harbour League, in the absence through illness of Mr Nelson. Details of the new port were given by Mr A. E. Jull, chairman of the Harbour Board, who explained that provision would first be made for erecting concrete quays in place pf the present wooden ones, so as to provide berths for vessels drawing 18ft. The progress of the scheme would_ depend mainly on the prices of materials. Had these been more satisfactory he would not have hesitated on account, of the increased cost of labour as compared with pre-war days. A smoke concert held in the evening was atended, along with others, by the Hon. W. Nosworthy (Minister of Agriculture), Messrs Campbell, Vigor Brown, M‘Niool,_ and Colonel Mitchell, M.P.’s. The Minister congratulated the district on the inauguration of the harbour scheme, to which sanction had been given by Act of Parliament He affirmed that the Government, in the face of" manifest difficulties, was doing, and would do, all in its power to settle soldiers on the land, and generally would endeavour to act for the benefit of the dominion as a whole. Presentations were made on behalf of the district to Messrs William Nelson. George Nelson (who is his son), and A. E. Jull, chairman of the Harbour Board. -