HARBOUR DEVELOPMENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 170, 18 July 1944, Page 4

HARBOUR DEVELOPMENT

I WANGANUI BOARD 10 ASK FOR ENGINEER APPROACH TO GOVERNMENT On the motion of the Hon. W. J. Kogers, seconded by the chaiiman of Ihe Works Committee, Mr. H. R. Beauchamp, the Wanganui Harbour Board, at its monthly meeting yesterday, decided to ask the Government, in view of the fact that £ll,OOO had already been paid out bv way of subsidy, to provide the service's of a competent engineer to report on future port development and work required. The subject was introduced when a report from the Works Committee was under consideration. This committee met recently and discussed a comprehensive report from the retiring engineer, Mr. R. R. Dawson, who is resuming full-time work with the Wanganui County. Mr. Rogers, moving his motion, said he was sure all members were concerned with the development of the port and wanted to reach a common end. In the past reports had been received, but merely shelved. The Government had called in a prominent engineer to report on conditions at Greymouth. If the State was being approached from time to time for subsidies, it seemed only right to ask the Government to provide the services of a competent engineer to report on future development at Wanganui. There was no question that the board’s finances were already depleted. The chairman, Mr. W. Morrison (Maxwell), said that Mr, Rogers' motion was on the right lines. Most of the work required at Wanganui was in the nature of repairs, such as the raising of moles and training walls. Engineers from the Public Works Department had already visited Wanganui and had discussed port works with the board’s engineer. They had approved of the work already carried out. The need for raising training walls in an effort to increase the depths of water available was stressed by Mr. D. Sutherland (Fordell). Mr. A. A. Winwood (Rapanui) said the board needed a report from an outside engineer. “We all have our different opinions,” he added, “but we are not experts.” “Are we going to disregard this report if hve don’t agree with it?" nsknl Mr. T. M. Russell (Wanganui City). The chairman: We can hardly do that. “Would a Government engineer he prepared to commit himself?” asked Mr. E. J. Kirk (Wanganui City). Mr. Rogers: Certainly, if he was instructed to give a report. The chairman: The Government is subsidising the board and is entitled to know what is required. “We have had reports for many years back and I think the visiting engineer would he entitled to see them,” said Mr. Winwood. Mr. J. B. Cotterill, M.P. (Wanganui City): These reports could be laid before him. Mr. Dawson said that in view of his retirement from the board’s services he had felt it his duty to submit a comprehensive report'and give the board the benefit of his experiences. He agreed that it: was advisable to obtain the services of a consulting engineer. The Works Committee recommended that consideration be given to the extension of the training wall from the red beacon to a point opposite tile Castlecliff Wharf this wall to be constructed to a point above high-water mark. The committee also stated that the question of whether this work being carried out in either shell rock or concrete blocks should be considered. The committee recommended further that repairs to a break in the south mole, opposite the Castlecliff Wharf, he carried out immediately with concrete blocks. Emphasising the need for the south mole being repaired, Mr. Beauchamp said that this work should have been carried out in the past. If this breach were allowed to continue the harbourmaster. Captain R. D. Stewart, would have difficulty in turning vessels because of shoaling in the basin. The report was adopted.