HUTT HARBOUR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 May 1944, Page 3

HUTT HARBOUR

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT SCHEME CRITICISED BY MASTERTON COUNTY. POSSIBILITIES OF WAIRARAPA LAKE. A decision to advise the Hutt Valley Harbour Commission that it was proposed to communicate with local authorities throughout the Wairarapa with a view to combined action regarding the giving of evidence before the commission, was reached at yesterday afternoon’s meeting of the Masterton County Council. The resolution passed by the council added that, as the scheme stood, the council failed to see the necessity for it. „ The Minister of Works, Mr R. Semple, advised that a Commission had been set.up to inquire into and report on the proposed development of the Hutt river mouth area. The council was invited to give evidence before the commission. Councillor J. W. Colquhoun said there might be something worth while in the suggestion by a correspondent in the “Times-Age” regarding the dredging of a channel in the Wairarapa Lake to provide harbour facilities. Councillor P. R. Welch said there were too many harbour schemes in New Zealand. “On the face of it there is no need for this proposed harbour,” said Mr R. E. Gordon Lee (chairman). He said if it was feasible to build a harbour facing the southerlies on the Hutt side then it was feasible to build a harbour in Palliser Bay. Councillor G. Moore said mountainous seas broke into Palliser Bay during southerlies "and a big ship had once been washed up on to the beach. Mr Lee: “It is wonderful what engineers can do, all the same.” “It is wonderful what can be done on paper and wonderful what a sink it is for spending money,” said Councillor Moore. He added that there were too many harbour schemes in ' New Zealand. It was better to have one or two good harbours and to rail goods and produce to them. The millions that had been spent in harbour schemes could have been usefully used over a period of years in a reduction on freight charges. “What is the matter with Wellington Harbour?” asked Mr Lee. ; “There are strikes and hold-ups there,” said Councillor Moore. “There is a deep-water harbour a short distance from the proposed harbour site,” said Councillor Mawley. Councillor Moore said that Wellington Harbpur should be enlarged rather than the Hutt scheme being proceeded with. The County Clerk, Mr J. C. D. Mackley, said the Commission was only to report on the matter and there was no suggestion of building a harbour.