NELSON HARBOUR.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13454, 27 June 1912, Page 4

NELSON HARBOUR.

DREDGING AT THE WHARF

DEPUTATION TO MR MYERS

A SYMPATHETIC REPLY.

(Special to "The Colonist.")

WeHin§ton lL June 26. Tho dredging question and several" other matters .relating to Nelson hafixrnr were placed before the Hon. A. M. iViyors, Minister of Railways, by a deputation this afternoon. Tho doputation was introduced by Mr. Atmore, M.P., and the Hon R. McKenzio, M.P., and comprised Messrs. George MacmaJion, chairman- of the Nelson Harbour Board, and W. Lock, a member of the Board. Th© General Manager of Railways, Mr. Ronayne, was also present. ln-f introducing the deputation, Mr. Atmore said that owing to the Railway Department's attitude there was a big danger of shipping companies who sent deep sea liners to Nelson ceasing to do so, -because, at'low water the steamers touched the hard at one spot. "If the Department would only allow the Board to take charge of the area- it would be only too pleased to do tho dredging. Tho Board had' spent £70,000 to,get deep sea,; steamers into tile harbour, and. now it was 'baulked by the Railway ,Department. Mr. Macmahon. explained a plan of the area, showing that the Board required an area 7U feet from the wharf to be dredged. Mr. Millar, the previous Minister, had left a note for his succsssor that the ire-quest was reasonable. The Hon. George Lauren-son, who attended for a few minutes, pointed out that save for a few spots the depth was 18 feet to 18* feet, .

The Hon. A. M. Myers: Axe you satisfied that tlie present state of things debars large vessels from entering Nelson ?

Mr Macmahon, in reply, quoted tho cas© of one steamer which had to tranship at Wellington. The Hon. R. McKenzie said the Railway Department agreed to-dredge, to a depth sufficient-to float any ocean going steamer entering^the port. There was no limit of 18 feet. The sluggish or indifferent, way in which the Department attended to its business was keeping Nelson back.

Mr. Ronayne: I query that. The Hon. George .Laurenson assured the Minister of Railways that on a visit to Nelson, having inspected the portj he was absolutely satisiied it was only a fair thing and an absolute necessity for the welfare of the port. Mr. Lock declared that the Department owned the property and got the revenue, and he could not understand their objections. If they had any why did they not state it > Mr. Ronayne said the dredging was expensive and the Board's dredge could not work economically. Mr. Lock: You have never paid us £1400 for work we did. *

Mr. Ronayne agreed that it was thf> Department's duty to provide a sufficient depth of water to float vessels which used its wharf.

The deputation pointed out that the efficiency of tlie Nelson dredge was not the point, because the Railway Department had tho responsibility of providing dredging machinery. The Minister of Railways, in reply, said he had listened very attentively to tho free discussion that had taken place. It was quite clear that having a harbour, a wharf, and land behind, it was of the utmost importance to the district that every facility should bo given to encourage the growth of trade. It simply resolved itself into a question of responsibility. It would be desirable to get an exact report f rein his officers regarding the position, and he would then . give a defiiiito answer to the Board*. Ho realised -th« urgency of tho work, and no doubt those found to bo ■responsible must give it attention immediately for in these days such a matter could not wait. He would ask for the report to be furnished within a week. It wou'.d be advisable to inquire as to the-.efficiency of the, dredging machinery. Possibly a dredge would have to be got from Wellington or Grey mouth. ■ . Mr. ■ Rcnayne: The now Greymouth dredger would bo ideal. Mr Macmahon raised the question of an arrangement with the "Department to hire' any dredge sent to Nelson to carry out some dredging outside the out.* The question x of dual control of tho wharf was an important one. Mr. Millar had promised to .sell the wharf; but had not named the price. The Minister replied that no doubt there could be some arrangement regarding dredging. A& for dual control, ho understood there was a 'difference of opinion as to tho price. Mr Macmahon: Mr. MiFar said it would be £51,000, but he did not put it in writing. The Minister: The sum named on tno files is considerably larger. _ If st conM ba ebown, Mr. Myers continued, that the Railway Department was retarding the progress of the port, he would assure'the deputation that it was rot going to stand in the way. Answering a question, Mr. Myers added that the Railway Department was prepared, to .provide proper accommodation for the wharf labourers.