TRADE OUTGROWS PORT.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 June 1925, Page 6

TRADE OUTGROWS PORT.

The remarkable expansion of the trade of Taranaki has again brought about an urgent demand lor more snipping accommodation at the port of New Plymouth, and with the minimum of delay the board must provide more berthage if it is to avoid imperilling the goodwill of the overseas shipping companies. For a long time the trade of the port was hampered by the fact that only one wharf, providing. one overseas berth, was available, but the construction of a second wharf was expected to solve the problem for some time. It is only about nine months since the second wharf was completed, and yet to-day the Harbour Board is again faced with the imperative necessity of constructing more wharf accommodation. It is true that the closing of the Moturoa wharf for repairs will be a factor towards congestion of shipping, but there have been times when the berths at both wharves have proved insufficient. That is the position to-day, and in quoting figures to emphasise the growth oi trade the chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr. C. E. Bellringer) told the board yesterday that the expansion of shipping during the next twelve months would be double that of the past year. To minimise delay to steamers the board rightly decided that the repairs to the Moturoa wharf should be suspended temporarily when the wharf was required by one of the big overseas steamers, but the real need for additional accommodation must also be faced. The board has instructed its resident engineer to report on a proposal to increase the length of the Newton King wharf by some three hundred feet, grasping this scheme as the quickest solution of the difficulty. Other proposals, such as the construction of a third wharf, were suggested, but the need for more berthage is so pressing that the hoard is bound to act quickly and find a solution, and the shortest route is to add to the Newton King wharf. The progress of the breakwater extension ensures adequate shelter and the money is available (the extension will cost about £30.000). More berthage at New Plymouth is the most important public necessity in Taranaki to-day, and the prompt action of the board in facing the problem should be followed by an early decision to carry out the work with the utmost expedition.