HARBOOR POLICY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26214, 26 July 1946, Page 4

HARBOOR POLICY

REPORT TO BE SOUGHT ENGLISH ENGINEERS DECISION BY BOARD A decision to approach Messrs E. J. Buckton and A. J. Clark, the English engineers who are inspecting West Coast harbours, for a report on the Otago Harbour was made by the Otago Harbour Board

at its meeting last night. » The deputy chairman, Mr H. S'. Watson, moved, in accordance with notice —“That the Otago Harbour Board enters into negotiations with the Government to obtain the services of Messrs E. J. Buckton and A. J. Clark to report on the Otago Harbour; and that these British engineers be asked to bring down a comprehensive report as to the future policy of the Port of Otago’ from an engineering viewpoint.” “ I feel we should have a report on the harbour by these eminent engineers,” said Mr Watson when he moved the motion.

It was a unique opportunity, said Mr J. H. Duncan, in seconding the motion, and he thought the board should endeavour to secure their services.

“ This board has received innumerable reports in the past, and that was the end of them,” said Mr W. Begg. “They are probably still available in some pigeon-hole in the secretary’s office. If these engineers are called in, they will suck our engineers’ brains, bring out a voluminous report and charge a very good figure. I am strongly opposed to any outside engineers being brought in to criticise the work done by our engineers in the past." Mr F. E. Tyson agreed with Mr Begg. The board’s engineers had been trained here and had made a life study of the harbour, he said, so that they tvere better informed on the subject than any strangers could possibly be. Mr J. G. Jeffery supported the motion. It was no reflection on the board’s engineers, he said, but when experts wefe available there was always a possibility of valuable advice being obtained. “ I have no intention, in moving this motion, of casting any reflection on our own engineers.” said Mr Watson, in reply, “but I feel the time* has arrived for an outside report. If it confirms. our present policy, we willbe happy, but if it suggests that something different should be done, that can be investigated.”

The motion was carried. It was decided that a special committee, including the consulting engineer. Mr J. McGregor Wilkie, and the resident engineer, Mr A. C. Swanson, should draw up an order of reference and report back to the board.