TAURANGA FAVOURED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27572, 14 December 1950, Page 12

TAURANGA FAVOURED

Deepwater Port For Bay Of

Plenty

PA WELLINGTON, Dec. 13. Tauranga is favoured to provide deepwater port facilities for the Bay of Plenty in the report of the Committee of Investigation which was set up by the Government to inquire into the proposals for a Bay of Plenty harbour. Releasing the report, the Minister of Works, Mr Goosman, said today that the way was now clear for orderly and progressive improvement in services to shipping in the Bay of Plenty. The committee had held public sittings from October 30 to November 8, and had received a large volume of written submissions, had examined 44 witnesses and taken some 340 • pages of evidence. The findings were that improvements to port facilities in the Bay of Plenty are necessary and should be undertaken in progressive stages as trade expands. The deep water site at Mount Maunganui in Tauranga Harbour is considered to have substantial advantages over Whakatane, or any other alternative site to handle the products of the Murupara development of the Kaingaroa State Forest. Deep water berthage was essential for this purpose, said Mr Goosman. Mount Maunganui would readily provide such facilities at a minimum cost and there was no reason to doubt that in due course large overseas vessels would also be accommodated. It was hoped that discussions between the . Tauranga Harbour Board and Government Departments would begin shortly so that matters regarding railway access and land for port development could be determined. /