HARBOUR WORKS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16307, 23 December 1920, Page 5

HARBOUR WORKS.

FARMERS’ UNION INQUIRY.

That an inquiry as to the progress made in repairs of shipping facilities at should be characterised as “ harsh judgment ” was the subject of surprised comment by members of the Farmers’ Union yesterday. In reply to a letter from the executive, the secretary of the Lyttelton Harbour Board wrote that a mistake w'as being made if the executive was under the impression that the wharves, under repair were nob being pushed on to completion. Since February, 1918, the board’s construction gang had been engaged practically removing the whole of the upper portion of No. 2 jetty. The work, however, was very intermittent. The men had been taken off from time to time to carry out other works. 'Whenever there was a shortage of skilled labour in port the board’s carpenters had been loaned to master shipwrights for refitting vessels, and that had been of frequent occurrence. The effect of tho war had been to similarly delay the completion of No. 6 jetty by necessitating an enlargement of the board’s cool stores, and generally to hinder the board’s operations. Fortunately tho board’s forethought in always having a fairly largo stock of timber in pre-war times had enabled it to carry on its works without other interruptions save those referred to, and the small shortage of supplies for the completion of No. 2 jetty- had at last been made up, so that no further delay was likely to be experienced in completing the work in haftd. Until there was an improvement in transport facilities, however, there would bo a difficulty in carrying out fresh work, although a contract for further supplies of timber • had been let at £72,933. The letter hoped that the explanation given would modify the harsh judgment in the ‘letter under answer, and added that tho board was glad to observe that the union was taking an active interest in affairs connected with the port, and the connection between the port and the epuntry. ” The board hopes that your union will direct its efforts toward urging the Government to so improve the Christcluirch-Lytteltou railway, the delays of which are apparently the cause of your letter to the ! oard, what the ' suffering of the trade of the country ’ will bo done awav with,” the letter concluded.

Mr W. A. Banks (president of tho union); There was nothing harsh in our lottos The secretary wrote simply inquiring why repairs were not being pushed ahead, as the trade of tho country was suffering. The Harbour Board’s letter expresses pleasure that wo are taking an interest in the affairs of tho port—yot that is tho slating wo get when wo ask for information 1 . Surely ordinary criticism levelled against :i public body like the Lyttelton Harbour Board should not bo so resented 1 As producers of the country, and taking an interest in facilities for shipping our produce, wo i havo a rigiit to ask a civil question.” i Mr 11. Evans said he could not see anything offensive in the Mter written by tillo secretary of the union. He would move that a resolution to that effect be forwarded to the Harbour Board,

Members heartily concurred, and tho motion was earned.