TIMARU HARBOUR WORKS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23288, 25 August 1945, Page 4

TIMARU HARBOUR WORKS

■ Shipping Companies Are Pleased Extension Of North Mole Sanctioned Marine superintendents of all overseas shipping companies had in- | spected the Timaru harbour; they i were pleased with the work that had been done, and were looking forward to the completion of the North Mole and the continuation of the dredging programme, the | chairman Mr K. S. Goodman) told members of the Timaru Harbour Board yesterday. i The plans of the North Mole exi tension were in the possession of the j Marine Department and had been ex- | ammed by the chief engineer of the j Public Works Department, continued IMr Goodman. He had been advised that the necessary permit would be granted. "We have been in communication I with the Loans Beard cn the subject of ' having the additional work done from | the Contingency Fund as the new work I is considered to be a part of the work I required to complete the new alignment of the mole,” explained Mr Goodman. "However, this will be a matter for the I Audit Department, and will receive attention as the work proceeds over that part already authorised.” Conference of Boards Mr Goodman attended the conference call< d by the Harbours Association at the request of the Gisborne Harbour Board, to discuss less of

[ shippin as the result of wartime decentra ition and for the purpose of approaching the Overseas Freight Allotment Committee with the view of retun ig to the order in existence before t’-e war. The conference was attendee by representatives of the Neison, Oamarv. Wanganui. Gisborne. New i Plymouth and T imaru Harbour Boards. Reporting on the conference to the Timaru Board yesterday. Mr Goodman said that it was revealed that no overseas ships had visited Nelson, Oamaru, Gisborne or Wanganui during the war period. The following resolution had been discussed at length and eventually carried unanimously: "Tnat the conference of delegates representing harbour bords that have suffered serious loss of revenue brought about by centralisation of overseas shipping, is of the opinion that the time is opportune to approach the Overseas Freight Allotment Committee, with the view of returning to the system of loading and discharging in existence prior to the war.” Timaru supported the resolution and so did New Plymouth, but both stated thev would not be members of any deputation.

"My reason for taking this stand was that during the war years overseas vessels have both loaded and discharged at the Port of Timaru and during the last few weeks large shipments have been passing over cur wharves,” explained Mr Goodman. “It is a wellknewn fact that the overseas companies have extremely costly ships to control, and it is imperative that all vessels should receive the fastest turnround at all times and, if the port facilities are efficient and the cargo offering, the overseas vesels will continue to make the Port of Timaru one of their loading and discharging ports.”