THE QUESTION OF DREDGING.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12461, 10 February 1909, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE QUESTION OF DREDGING.

THE GOVERNMENT TO BE URG-ED-TO DO THE WORK. The question of dredging at the Railway Wharf to provide berthage accommodation for ocean liners was discussed at yesterday's meeting' of the Harbour Board.

The Chairman, in referring to the matter, said that the Harbour Board had carried" out its promise _to the ratepayers and provided facilities for ocean steamers to enter the porfc.'The late Premier had promised that if the Board carried out its work he would see that the Railway Department provided the necessary facilities for berthing vessels properly at the wharf. The wharfage extension -was begun, but not nearly finished, and the Board was ready to bring vessels in, but they could not be berthed. The question of dredging at the wharf was a serious one, and riiore than one effort had been made to shoulder the responsibility on to the Board. Referring to the correspondence that had passed between the Board and the Railway Department, the Chairman said the matter had been put very fully before the latter, arid the Board had absolutely refuted the statement that the Department did not do dredging .where it owned wharves, by proving that at Nelson dredging had been done and paid for by the Department on at least two bcasibus. Early in the . month Captains Bone and McDougall, of the N.Z. arid S.S. arid A. Cos. respective-" ly, had visited the port, and expressed their satisfaction with the works. The actual soundings' they found even better than were marked on the plan. -They had informed him • they' could' send a vessel to the present wharf, provided certain dredging, was done.

The Government must do the work, not the Harbour Board. The latter had no funds to do this work, besides it was beyond their duty. If they spent the money they would have a job to get it hack, and if they did ifc once they -sould always have to do it. The Chairman then quoted Sir Joseph Ward's reply to the deputation wliich waited upon him in May last in reference to tho same matter, when tlie Premier had said the matter, having been properly -explained, would be brought under the notice of the Minister for Railways, and would no- doubt be settled to the satisfaction of the -Board. The Department has previously asked if the Board would undertake the dredging for the Department, and also on what .terms they would hire the dredge.

Hon. F. Trask, M.L.C., said it was the place of the Government to do the dredging. The Board could not be expected tb do ifc, and chance getting the money back after. He moved that the Chairman interview the Minister of Railways in regard to the matter, and urge upon him the importance of the work being carried out at once. Mr Best seconded the motion.

Messrs Grace, Franklyn, Talbot, and Coleman supported the motion, which was carried unanimously.