CORRESPONDENCE.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12488, 15 March 1909, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

[The_ Editor does not necessarily identify himself with the opinions expressed by his correspondents.]

THE COLLINGWOOD WHARF.

(To the Editor of "The .Colonist.")

• Sir, — As Secretary of tlie Collingwood branch of <the Nelson Chamber of Commerce,- 1 should be obliged 'if. you would allow me space in your valuable columns to reply to a letter in ytfur paper of the DtJi of March, signed by "Advancement." ("Stationary" would I think, be more applicable). Firstly, 1 why did "Advancement" not bring his views forward at the public meeting convened for the express purpose of considering this question? Secondly, "Advancement" writes that the niatter has not been thoroughly gone into. "Some meetings," he says, "haye been held by the local Chamber oi Commerce, and also the subject brought up at times by the County Council." Add to these a public meeting and a report by an expert engineer of the Public Works Department, and I think it will be seen that tlie matter has been thoroughly investigated. Thirdly, "Advancement" questions whether £800 would be half the amount required; this was the amount estimated by the engineer already referred to. It is evident that Advancement" has no mean opinion or his own capabilities. Fourthly 'Advancement" states that the chain! nel is seventy feet wide at the proposed site of the wharf, that it is three feet deep at low water, and that the bottom is bad. Allow me to say that I was with the harbour master when he took the measurements of the channel for the information of the Public Works Department. They are as follows: Width, 80 feet, depth at low water, 3 feet 6 inches j bottom as good as any in New Zealand; rise of tide at normal springs, 10 feet.- The bank on the outer side of channel is under 2 feet high, and the wharf would not be exposed to northerly weather at all. "Advancement's" particulars are hardly acurate. Fiftly, the often referred to writer says: "I very much doubt if any of . the members of the. Chamber of Commerce <>r County Council have £he~ very remotest idea of the import and export trade of the port." Evidently there is only one man in Collingwood with the slightest particle of sense. ». Sixthly, "Advancement" . advises the pollingwood people to get the trade first and furnish shipping accommodation afterwards. I wonder he signed that letter "Advancement." Seventhly, From the proposed site of the wharf there is a straight run out to sea, instead of -the present tortuous channel, and the tide readies this spot a very long "time before it -gets into our present harbor, and there are falls and shallows to be taken into consideration, thus the boats could go in and out much earlier than they do at present. Lastly, the report of the Public Works Engineer says that Collingwood badly needs improved shipping accommodation, arid that the site proposed is the natural site for a wharf. There are one or two other points in "Advancement's" letter that I. would, like to touch on, but I must not trespass too much on your valuable space. Thanking you in anticipation, . I am,. etc., .'EDWARD A. PARKER, Sec. Cor. Committee, Nelson Chamber of Commerce. Collingwood, March 13th.