THE COLLINGWOOD HARBOUR.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12498, 26 March 1909, Page 4

THE COLLINGWOOD HARBOUR.

(To the Editor of "The Colonist.") Sir, — A. few words in reply to the Secretary of the Collingwood Chamber of Commerce with reference to Collingwood harbour. Admitting that meetings have been held, to what extent has the matter been sifted? Absolutely none. lii the first place no information as to the superiority of the -proposed site ■was brought forward in regard to depth of water, etc. Simply a matter of "this appears to be' a good place fora Wharf, put it here." If the secretary will go to any of the local Captains trading to the port and' ask them the difference in water between the channel to proposed wharf and present channel, or if not this; borrow a boat and paddle up himself for information which he apparently requires, perhaps he will then find that the rising tide is deceitful. Again what accurate in formation had the officer of the Public .Works Department of the suitability of the site. , Obviously none, or otherwise the harbour master would not have been asked to supply it later. His inspection lasted- perhaps an hour, and what data was supplied him? " I believe the Secretary -will find that had accurate information been furnished him on both channels j his observations would hajve been dpffierent. The verified facts supplied" by the Secretary are misleading. I find also, from the harbour master, that the channel is 80 feet wide, bank to bank, and the deep est part is 3ft 6in ; also my statement is quite correct as to the ohannel being about 70 feet wide and an average I depth of 3ft. : Also he states that the. bank on the opposite. side of the channel is 2 feet high, whereas it is 4 feet. The bank is 2ft high; and 150 ft from the steep bank at the proposed wharf, site. However a channel 200] feet long. at the wharf by 80 feet by 3ft. 6in is a suitable site — I presume^ — I for "a deep sea wharf"— which is the term used by the Chamber of Commerce in its letter to the Council on the' matter. The wharf being over a mile from low water mark this -term alone £3' misleading. The present harbour is by way of comparison 300 to 400 yards (not feet) long, and 6 to- 1 9 feet. deep by 120 to 150 feet wide, and m addition a natural harbour. If the Secretary will borrow a compass he- will find that the proposed site is exposed to all weathers from N. West tj ta. East. . With reference to' the excellent knowledge possesed by the Chamber of Commerce of exports and imports of the port, why have they not tried to obtain a service to Wellington. If they have the freights to offer and suitable vessels cannot be induced to come, it is strange. Dozens of ports exist at the present time do-in&-'treble the trade Collingwood is likely to do idr the next five years, some in addition having bars to work, with not an inch more water than Collingwood has— Patea, Foxtpn', Wai-tai-a and, nearer home/ Motueka : . ' A feiv> words ""to. the Secretary and the Chamber of Commerce. Devote your energies to the development -of trade.- It is quite apparent you are getting out of your latitude in your deep sea wharf" schemes. I Jay no claim to correct knowledgeof exports and imports of the port. The Secretary apparently evades my assertion ■that the Chamber possesses this information. ■■'; The Secretary is again wrong in saying the channel runs straight to cea. The channel at the wharf bears S.S. East, and the channel to sea E. by north, only one sharp turn. To any person who -has the slightest knowledge of -shipping the ' present proposals will appear ridiculous, to. "advance": the trade of the district and a waste of money.- Are ye to be tumbled " ( in expenditure for visionary ' returns P Perhaps it would be more advisable to have applied for a suitable person to examine and report on tho matter and'-not point out a site and ask his opinion, which I contend- has been done. It is absolute waste of time writing any more on the subject. It is plain and logical if we have sufficient trade to warrant a regular- boat to Wellington there is no obstacle either as regards wharfage or channel or anything else to prevent access of shipping. "Advancement" has tV's. opinion of his abilities, that^ie understands what he is writing about; also that his information is correct and can be verified I am, etc. _," - -- "ADVANCEMENT " Collingwood,, March 18th.