ThE HARBOUR.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12458, 6 February 1909, Page 2

ThE HARBOUR.

ALMOST READY FOX LINERS. THE FINIS BING TOUCHES. r- ' BOARD AND RAILWAY DEPARTMENT. In proposing tbe toast oi "The Nelson Harbour Board 5 ' at the banquet tendered to the Hon. R. McKenzie, at Tapawera, on Tnursday evening, Mr D, J. T Rou3e, a director of the Nelson Freezing Company, Limited, said that for a long time the settlfrs had experienced difficulty in getting their products to the .markets of the world ; in fact, up to the present momeot they were nofc id touch with the Home market. Captain Bone, Marine Superintendent of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, had told him thafc they could "have a direct liner at tho Nelson wharf pro vided about fourteen days' dredging was done. It would be a great thing for Nelson when this work was completed, and he was sure Mr McKeDzie would assist them in getting an ocean liner to fche wharf. There was in dispute the matter ot who should pay for this dredging, as the, wharf belonged to the Railway Department, but he urged that the Harbour Board do the work at once, so as to open the port to the world, and then settle the questiin of payment afterwards. ilitberto they had had to looK to the middleman, and tberfore did not get truo value for their products. Mr Macmahon said tbe harbour was a matter tbey were all deeply interested in, although little interest was being taken in the election. He expressed his regret- tbat Mr Best had not been re-nominated, tie had been a member of the Board since its inception, and he wa? sorry ho had retired before the completion of the work. He understoodJbbßt there was about 30 feet to be dredged at the end of the wharf by ssven feet in depth before an ocean steamer could bo alongside tho wharf. In an interview, the member for the city had told tbem that it was not the place of the Harbour Board, but* tbe Railway Department, to do the dredging, and the Minister for Railways had promised to do it, but it had not been done. The Ohairman of the Board had told mm' it «ould be done in 14 days if the work was authorised by the Railway Department. It was 'absolutely necessary that tbe work should be completed before the Ist ot* March. Ur. Hudson said the Board had had insuperable difficulties to contend with, and. tbey bad been subjected to a great deal of stupid criticism. The Board had carried out the works grandly, and tbey had cut a passage thrcugh the Boulder Bank, where people said a passage could not be out. Vessels could now go in and out of the harbour at any stage of the tide, and the improvements were a great benefit to tho travelling public. Mr Best said it was really negleot on his part that he bad not been nominated. There had, he ■ said, been many difficulties to overoome, but they had got througn tbe bank, and vessels could now work the port at ali,times. If he had been on the Board he would have done his best to get the dredging of tbe wharf done, as tbe freezing works were practically ready to commence operations. The Hon. R. MoKenzie, who had also been a member of the Board from its inception until his appointment to the Ministry, said the Board deserved the thanks of everyone in tbe distriefc, as they had effected great improvements. If fourteen days' dredging would bo the means of getting in a steamer for a shipment of frozen mutton they should get it done. It was an important question as to who should do the work, as there was a principle involved. He would dp his Isvel bpsfc to get the fourteen days' dredging done, and the bigger question could stand over until the first ocean steamer got away. Tbe question of oontrol ahould never be allowed to stand against the interest of the community. He would certainly try and induce hia colleagues to have the dredging done. The Harbour Board would no doubt lend the dredge for tbe purpose, and the men's wages could be found somewhere. In responding to the toast of "Tne Farming tjommunity, " Mr J. Allan Mitchell, the manager of the Nelson Freezing- Company, said that as soon as the dredging at the wharf was carried out the' shipping companies would send ocean steamers to Nelson. The machinery at the works would be started next week, and on Monday week the first day's killing would take place. He expressed tbe hope that there would be a steamer in the port to take away tbeir first lot of frozen mutton.