PORT DEVELOPMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 September 1924, Page 4

PORT DEVELOPMENT.

HOME FIRM INTERESTED DISCUSSION WITH BOARD OTHER PUBLIC WORKS The interest that is being taken in other parte of New Zealand in the advent of Britiah contractor! on important public works ia likely to extend to New Plymouth ae a result of the announcement that the New Plymouth Harbour Board intends to call for tenders for at least part of the harbour development work. The 6rat step in this direction was taken yesterday, when Colonel H. F. Greenhough, New Zealand manager for Sir W. G. Armstrong, Whitworth and Co., Ltd., England, arrived in New Plymouth. Arnsstrong-Whitwcnths were the successful tenderers for the Arspuni hydro-electric scheme and the East Coast railway extension. Colonel Greenhough informed a Daily News reporter last night that he had come to New Plymouth in order to make himself more fully acquainted with the scheme of harbour development and also to acquaint himself with local conditions. He had already discuaaed harbour matters with the chairman and some members vf the board, and the questions raised Chau would be closely gone into to-day alter he had had an opportunity of inspecting the port. Colonel Greenbough evineed gnat interest in the board's proposals and of the attitude of the ratepayers towards the port, but, of course, was unable at that stage to make any pronouncement concerning the policy his company would adopt with regard to the development works.

Colonel Greenhough made it plain that Britirii contractors would be in the held for works of any magnitude. Hb firm had extended its activities to New Zealand as a result of the calling for tenders for the Arapunl hydro-electric scheme and the East Coast railway extension, and so long as there was sufficient inducement tor them to do so they would remain in New Zealand. Becoming more definite in reply to a question. Colonel Greenhough explained that to invite the attention of British contractors, any proposed works must be of such a size as to necessitate the omployment of skilled engineers and a good deal of plant. Where these faetoas wore not paramount, local contractors, having sufficient plant on hand and being possessed of the requisite knowledge, would probably out-tender the British contractor,. On the other hand, the British contractors were able to undertake works of any magnitude anywhere in the world and to compete successfully against the contractors of the particular country concerned. A case in point was the East aide riser tunnels in New York, when a British firm had won out against the American contractors.

Discussing the works at present on hand in New Zealand, Colonel uraenhough laid that everything was now ready to push ahead with the East Coast railway extension. At Arapuni, the work was at present confined to the building of a village, complete in every detail, for tta workmen and ttafi. The plant for the construction work had been ordered and should arrive in New Zealand shortly. With the exception of the contractor," agent, who was a works manager permaaently in the employ of his company, ad the labour required was drawn from Now Zealand. Colonel Greenhough spoke veryl highly of the New Zealand trained engin. eers who had joined the stalls at the various works, stating that they upeared tc| be very capable, highly trained man.