THE HARBOUR.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16468, 21 June 1919, Page 6

THE HARBOUR.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —it is interesting to note the references to Waitara; and New Plymouth harbours by a correspondent in the Herald of the 14th inst. Waitara is a natural port, Now Plymouth an artificial one. Many years ago, before any improvement of the Waitara River was attempted, vessels of a limited draught traded regularly to the pors; now, in spite of some £20,000 spent in improving the entrance, the bar is not so good as it was fifty years ago. The altered conditions due to the denudation of the forest, and the continual drift of the sand, have placed Waitara in the condition of all New Zealand river ports, and no prudent marine engineer would attempt to make any but a temporary improvement. A modern commercial seaport is made, not born, and New Plymouth harbour must be judged in relation to the largest class of steamships trading to the Dominion. We must rise superior to mere physical conditions, if the harbour is to hold its place in the contest for supremacy. The country at the back, with the geographical position of the r port, more than warrants the extension _of the and harbour improvements, which cannot be started too soon, if we are to keep abreast of the times.—l am, etc., ADVANCE TARANAKI.