HARBOUR WORKS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13353, 15 April 1911, Page 4

HARBOUR WORKS.

Messrs W. G. Bassett, A. G. Bignell, C; E. Mackay, N. Meuli, Allan Robinson, and T. B. Williams are standing as a “ticket” for the Harbour Board election, pledged, if elected, to carry scheme of works outlined in the plans and estimates prepared by Engineer Howarth. The scheme, as most of our readers are already aware, involves an expenditure of £300,000 and 'hi works proposed To be undertaken Include the erection of a wharf at Castlecliff. £6000; additions to old wharf, £1000; dredging basin and bar at Castlecliff. .£18,000; wall to basin, <£91500; mole extensions, .£68,000; cost of dredge, .£40,000; and developing inner harbour, £39,700 According to the manifesto of the “ticket” above referred, the improvement of the river is to be a mere secondary consideration. All effort and all the funds necessary are to be concentrated on making the port at Castlecliff, and if the “final" 1 estimate of the proposed works at Castlecliff—whatever “final” may mean—leaves any margin out of the loan, then the training and deepening of -.he channel up to town will be proceeded with. In this connection, it is significant that at least one of the most prominent members of the ticket is strongly of the opinion that there will be no “margin” to spend in the river. Mr Hatrick is coming forward as the champion of the port in town, and intends to contest'the election in opposition to the Castlecliff scheme, although we understand he is prepared to support the latter, if it can be proved that the dredging of the river and bringing the boats to town is beyond the means of the Board. He argues that wharves and sheds are aready available in town; that there is ample room to swing the big boats in the river between the bridge and Putiki; and that the engineer’s figures for dredging are excessive. With respect to. the "dredging, Mr Hatrick asks why Mr Howarth should find it necessary to recommend a channel in the Wanganui River three times as wide as the Suez Canal and 10ft. deeper—a question, no doubt, the engineer will be given an opportunity of explaining.