Waiuku-Whau Canal

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 89, 6 July 1927, Page 7

Waiuku-Whau Canal

Engineers Report in Three Weeks

Combating Loss of Trade

IN the next three weeks a comprehensive report will be presented to the Auckland Harbour Board dealing with the proposed Waiuku-Whau Canal. At a meeting of the board yesterday afternoon it was suggested that if the board decided not to foster the scheme it should allow private enterprise to do so.

It was stated that the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce favoured the canal scheme. The following letter, from Mr. A. G. Lunn, president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, was read at yesterday’s meeting: On one or two occasions recently we have been approached in regard to the possibility of something being done to expedite the cutting of the Waiuku Canal, it having been represented that there was a considerable divergence of trade from the Auckland Harbour Board to the boards of the Southern ports, the traffic going via Waikato. FINANCE THE DIFFICULTY From inquiries we find that the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce is quite in favour of the canal being started, and that it has held several meetings, the only stumbling block being the usual one of finance, and it was suggested in their letter that the Auckland Harbour Board would be in sympathy with the movement. We have also been informed that there are considerable engineering difficulties in regard to rise and fall cf tide, and the geological formation of the country, and that the cost would be excessive. The subject was discussed at the last meeting of the council of the Chamber of Commerce, and it was felt that this was so entirely a matter which should be under the control of the Auckland Harbour Board that we had not the status to deal with it, and that it should therefore be referred to yourselves. I might add, however, that if there is any way in which the chamber could be of service to the Harbour Board in the matter, any suggestion would receive the sympathetic consideration of the council. Mr. M. H. Wynyard said that the Manukau Harbour Committee was preparing a statement, but there were many things to be considered. This statement would be presented to the board in due course. The board would have the assistance of the Chamber of Commerce in any economic aspects which might arise. BOARD SHOULD MOVE Mr. G. Parr said he was glad that the subject had been brought up for discussion. The only way to combat the loss of trade was to have the canal. Unless steps were taken the board would lose much of the West Coast trade. Mr. Parr expressed the opinion that

a special committee should be set up to discuss the possibilities of the canal. It was the paramount duty of the board to make a move, and the board could take over some of the land concerned in the construction of the canal. “I would like to see the board take a definite stand and not be as academic over the idea as it has been,” continued Air. Parr. ”1 should also like to see the special committee set up.” Air. Campbell Johnstone said that members should consider the iesult on the Manukau Harbour when part of tli>o Waikato River was turned into it. He said that sand gping through the canal would become a menace to the harbour on this side. The Chairman (Air. H. R. Mackenzie): There would be locks in the canal. Air. Johnstone: Yes, but sand would get through the locks. The Chairman remarked that no man knew more about the canal scheme than Mr. Wynyard, and the. report he was bringing down would be one of concrete facts. In reply to a member Air. Wynyard said the report would be available in three weeks’ time. The Chairman: Air. Wynyard has been on it for over a year.