HARBOUR MATTERS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12601, 5 September 1910, Page 8

HARBOUR MATTERS.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —I thought that my letter which appeared in Monday's issue concluded the correspondence from me in reference to the above matter, but I was pointed out in yesterday morning's "Chronicle" a letter above the nqm de plume of "Waterside," and this is the reason I am trespassing upon your space again. "Waterside" sets out to pull me to pieces, and a person reading tho first few lines of his letter would certainly consider me as settled. Just fancy Rip Van Winkle (his new name for me) coming upon the scene at this stage, and finding vessels of the Stormbird type still running in the Welling-ton-W^nganui service! He tells me that 1 do not know anything aboiri what I am writing. But, Mr. -Editor, don't you think it just as well for Rip Van Winkle to come upon the scene, and for him to point out that, during his "sleep,", the Wanganui Harbour, comparatively speaking, has littlte improved. The scene I come upon is much the same as when I left it years ago. I do not. come Upon the unfortunate circumstances of the original Rip. Poor me, I ramble (like most old. people!). Why, Mr. "Waterside," it is on account of my rambling about the country that I have-written at all, in turn calling upon Wanganui to "wake up." I have, observed a little in my time, Mr. "Waterside." You think that 1 have not noticed that vessels of the "Regulus" and " Breeze" - type ■ how- visit the port—each. of. these has been at the wharf during itlie.-past week or so.. If ho will look up my letter he will see "that I distinctly my that, consequent upon the removal of the "flats" -a bet-ter-class of vessel now visits here. But taking the Regulus as a guide, her ton-. nage being according:-to '-'Waterside 580, this is less than three times tlie tonnage of the Stormbird— certainly a trifling improvement. Considering, though, the amount of time the Harbour Boards have had to improve the estuary, vessels of twenty times the old 'bird's tonnage should visit here. "Waterside" docs not know whether I am in favour of "Field's scheme" (whatever that is) or not, but. notes that I am in: favour of dredging. He ! does not know what sort of a dredge 1 I advocate, but surely commonsense will tell him that I advocate a dredge which the responsible engineer states is suitable for harbour improvent works at Wanganui. Strange, though, the. largest part of lib letter is given up to supporting old Rip Van Winkle's.ideas for he cannot; see why the dredge is not working, and' considers that even, with such an antiquated v piece of. machinery the Board should be 'doing', work .•• He goes out of his way; to inform-the public that "the wooden wall in the river is not fulfilling its purpose, by diverting the current to the Castlechff wharf, and that so far the work is a waste of monty. This I understand is true as far as it goes, but the Harbour Board has not completed the work. What most surprises me is his statement that vessels have been touching on sandbanks in the river, for some reason or another lam sure the publication or this will do the port no good, pettier, there is truth: in it ornot: As 'Waterside" says, the matter certainly requires attention, and if 'possible■ the res'.cient engineer should" publicly deny this; Ihe reason I have written at. all is that during my travels I have been out harbours which li&ve* been'^ohsti-iicted under greater, difficulties than ; beset the Wanganui Harbour Board: , In these places the authorities have taken it as settled the matter of making a harbour and by obtaining the best of advice and not being scared to spend money they have obtained in much less than twenty years the object they aspired to. 1 apologise for again troubling you and }«>pa that old Rip Van Winkle will have been the cause of Wanganui waking up toh.rre.pon.ibmtig.-T^^^